Iowa poised to become the first state to let residents use smartphones as driver's licenses

Shawn Knight

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Iowa residents will soon be able to use their smartphone as their driver’s license. Starting next year, the Iowa Department of Transportation will give customers the option of receiving newly issued driver’s licenses through a mobile app at no extra cost.

The Des Moines Register notes that mobile driver’s licenses will contain all of the same information found on a traditional license. The digital driver’s licenses will serve as a valid form of identification during traffic stops and by security at Iowa-area airports according to DOT Director Paul Trombino.

iowa ios app digital wallet digital drivers license drivers license electronic

Iowa could very well be the first state to issue digital driver’s licenses. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to opt for it as they’ll continue to offer traditional plastic driver’s licenses to those who aren’t yet ready to join the digital age.

The app is said to be “highly secure” as customers will need to use a PIN code to access it.

There are a few unknowns at this point. For example, it’s unclear if other states will accept the digital ID as a valid form of ID when traveling outside of the state. What’s more, we don’t yet know which platforms the accompanying app will work on although a photo in the original article shows a license loaded on an iPhone so it’s probably a safe bet that iOS is supported.

While a digital driver’s license may seem like a major leap forward, it’s worth pointing out that more than 30 states already accept electronic forms of proof of insurance. In that light, a digital driver’s license just seems like the next logical step.

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So, the complete failure of the educational system has come to the corn belt at last?

That's because I really want a driver's license online, with the attendant needs for a smartphone and wireless internet connection?

I know, I know, it's an insurmountable obstacle, reaching into one's back pocket to pull out that big heavy wallet , and then pulling that big, heavy laminated card out of it.

If the Iowa legislature had any sense, they'd jack up the price of a driver's license renewal, to the same price as the ticket for talking on the cell phone while driving...!:mad:
 
I am more curious to know if you hand the officer your phone with the drivers license on it, does that then constitute "surrender" of the phone to the police officer, thus allowing him to search through it? And of course, if he finds a picture of your wife holding your nude baby girl, can you be arrested for pandering kiddy porn? This could be one heck if revilation to the grandfather who's proud son/daughter forwarded him that picture of their baby on the bearskin (yes, I know it's out of date, but some still do it!)
 
I am more curious to know if you hand the officer your phone with the drivers license on it, does that then constitute "surrender" of the phone to the police officer, thus allowing him to search through it? And of course, if he finds a picture of your wife holding your nude baby girl, can you be arrested for pandering kiddy porn? This could be one heck if revilation to the grandfather who's proud son/daughter forwarded him that picture of their baby on the bearskin (yes, I know it's out of date, but some still do it!)

This was my immediate thought. I've been pulled over twice (once for tags, once for being incredibly awesome), and in each instance the officer briefly returned to his cruiser with my license. How exactly does a smartphone ID prevent said officer of the law from copying information from the device once he returns to his cruiser?

Given recent events, it would seem prudent to stick with the plastic.
 
I am more curious to know if you hand the officer your phone with the drivers license on it, does that then constitute "surrender" of the phone to the police officer, thus allowing him to search through it? And of course, if he finds a picture of your wife holding your nude baby girl, can you be arrested for pandering kiddy porn? This could be one heck if revilation to the grandfather who's proud son/daughter forwarded him that picture of their baby on the bearskin (yes, I know it's out of date, but some still do it!)

That is a good point but it turns out that they do need a warrant to legally search through your phone. Unless someone coincidentally sends you a text about your drug trade then the cops would have probable cause to arrest you and then get a search warrant to search your phone.

I forgot how Federal Laws don't really translate well into State Laws, so... who knows?

Still, why do you need an app for this? Why can't I show them a photo of my ID since border patrol has no problems looking at a passport copy?
 
Whats stopping this idea from being transmitted to the officer. There is no need in relinquishing your device, if the requested details can be shared wirelessly.
 
Bad idea. I recently read that in some areas smartphones currently account for 90% of thefts. That means that criminals will have not only your phone but also your name, address, dob, dl number, and in some states ss number all in one place. Personally, I'd rather keep my current dl in my wallet as wallets seem to be far less valuable to thieves these days...
 
The app is said to be “highly secure”...

Yeah, that's what Target said, and Home Depot, and Sony, and Yahoo, and Adobe, and Global Payment Systems, and... well, you know. But the citizens of Iowa can rest assured that their state's government computers won't be hacked. Yesiree!
 
But the citizens of Iowa can rest assured that their state's government computers won't be hacked.
You are suffering under the delusion that all states don't already store these details in their driver license database. Yesiree!

The only difference here is how people choose to show proof of their identity. The identity records will still be stored the same way they have been the last 20 plus years.
 
I am more curious to know if you hand the officer your phone with the drivers license on it, does that then constitute "surrender" of the phone to the police officer, thus allowing him to search through it? And of course, if he finds a picture of your wife holding your nude baby girl, can you be arrested for pandering kiddy porn? This could be one heck if revilation to the grandfather who's proud son/daughter forwarded him that picture of their baby on the bearskin (yes, I know it's out of date, but some still do it!)

That is a good point but it turns out that they do need a warrant to legally search through your phone. Unless someone coincidentally sends you a text about your drug trade then the cops would have probable cause to arrest you and then get a search warrant to search your phone.

I forgot how Federal Laws don't really translate well into State Laws, so... who knows?

Still, why do you need an app for this? Why can't I show them a photo of my ID since border patrol has no problems looking at a passport copy?

I would imagine opening the license app would require a PIN to exit it also. And your lock screen prevent access if the phone is restarted. Not a big problem to get around.

If you're not comfortable letting an officer hold your phone for a while, then this app isn't for you.

We're still avoiding the biggest problem here... .what are you going to do with all that free time while the officer writes you a ticket if you don't have your phone?! No selfie with the cop car in the background, no real-time status updates commenting on Officer Fleckins! Priorities, folks!
 
Why, not make id data stored in nfc chip? touch the devices and all data on officers terminal
 
"The app is said to be “highly secure” as customers will need to use a PIN code to access it."

I have to say I laughed at that. Nothing about this seems like a good idea in anyway... Well I suppose the rest of us will get to learn from what I'm guessing with be a very failed program
 
Aside from various other problems, that would be so easy to fake. Just photoshop your picture and enter in fake details and show it to the officer (or the sales clerk at the liquor store.) What a stupid idea.
 
Just photoshop your picture and enter in fake details and show it to the officer
Which is why it will likely be a link(the driver license number) to the persons details stored within the state's driver license database.

Besides if a person is facing serious charges, do you honestly think the officer would not verify the information?
 
Whats stopping this idea from being transmitted to the officer. There is no need in relinquishing your device, if the requested details can be shared wirelessly.
I like that idea. You can transmit a copy of your licence & insurance to the cop with the lights & siren in your rearview mirror and in return he can can transmit a citation (fine) to you for whatever he was pulling you over for in the 1st place including a further charge of using a mobile device without the aid of a hands free kit. All done on the fly. Nice. No stopping, arguing or holding up other traffic. And most importantly, no gunplay thereby reducing the likelihood of a shootout.
 
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I think the officer will have to see your face in person to match it with the license before issuing any citation. I'm sure you can figure out why.
 
I still don't get why they can't just pull up your license when they run your plates. They've got the database access, why do we still need to carry ID?
 
I still don't get why they can't just pull up your license when they run your plates. They've got the database access, why do we still need to carry ID?
Why screw around with loss of privacy in dribs and drabs. It would be better to surrender any chance of ever having any, by being micro-chipped at birth. The SPCA does this now, when you adopt a pet from the pound.

So, you earn drivers license, what happens then? All you'll need is a "firmware update", provided by your friendly, local, above your neighborhood, NSA satellite.
 
Why screw around with loss of privacy in dribs and drabs. It would be better to surrender any chance of ever having any, by being micro-chipped at birth. The SPCA New World Order does this now, when you adopt a pet conspiracy theorist from the pound net.
/fixed

Easily defeated with passive jamming!
ZThdZMs.jpg
 
I still don't get why they can't just pull up your license when they run your plates. They've got the database access, why do we still need to carry ID?
That would be a simple fix, if ONLY every car had one driver.
And that would assume that everyone actually has a drivers license. They don't. That also presumes the car in question isn't from another state. There are at least some states police aren't interconnected to. If the car or plates are stolen but not yet reported as stolen, looking them up won't get you the right driver. I'm sure others can think of more reasons.
 
/fixed

Easily defeated with passive jamming!
ZThdZMs.jpg
Why didn't you wait until Christmas to show me what you bought me? Now my holiday is ruined.

I would have to mail you a check if I wanted the bulletproof option, wouldn't I?

I hope you appreciate how hard I worked to get all those 1st person pronouns into that post
 
I would have to mail you a check if I wanted the bulletproof option, wouldn't I?
I'm very sorry dear sir/madam, but at this time we are unable to accept payment by check. Payment must be by Western Union to Mr. Jones at our company headquarters/convenience store in downtown Abuja.
I hope you appreciate how hard I worked to get all those 1st person pronouns into that post
I, and the rest of us here recognise the effort. We applaud you.
 
I'm very sorry dear sir/madam, but at this time we are unable to accept payment by check. Payment must be by Western Union to Mr. Jones at our company headquarters/convenience store in downtown Abuja.
I should make out the cashier's check to "Prince ?????" :confused:
 
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