CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles says enrollment in its Mobile ID program continues to climb, with more than 35,500 West Virginians — 35,537 as of this week — now using a digital version of their driver’s license on their phones.
The DMV said West Virginia is ahead of the curve nationally. Fewer than half of states have implemented the technology, but West Virginia’s program is established and steadily expanding.
Mobile ID is secure and contactless, the DMV said — users keep their phone in hand while it’s scanned. It’s accepted at TSA checkpoints at many airports and is compatible with Real ID. Unlike a physical driver’s license, Mobile ID lets users choose what information to share, allowing them to select or deselect details such as height, weight and address. Security features already on the phone, including passwords and facial recognition, help protect the credential.
The DMV still recommends carrying a physical driver’s license, since Mobile ID is not yet accepted everywhere, and asks residents to be patient with locations that don’t have the technology in place. One other benefit: if a wallet is lost, Mobile ID can serve as identification while the holder works to reestablish other documents.
West Virginians can enroll and download Mobile ID from anywhere without visiting a DMV office. More information and enrollment instructions are available at dmv.wv.gov.
