- Virginia has launched a free mobile ID app, allowing residents to carry a digital version of their driver’s license on their phone.
- The digital ID is accepted at select locations, including major Virginia airports, all DMV centers, and by Virginia State Police.
- Acceptance is still in its early stages, with limited participation from local police, ABC stores and restaurants.
Beginning Nov. 12, you no longer have to fumble with your wallet to pull out identification to board a plane, to buy booze or even if you get pulled over by a Virginia state trooper.
The state Department of Motor Vehicles has launched Virginia Mobile ID, a free app that securely stores all of your personal information just like a physical driver’s license does. The app produces a QR code that can be scanned at airports, DMV offices, Alcoholic Beverage Control stores, and by state troopers or local law enforcement.
It’s still in its early stages in acceptance, however, as only certain airports, ABC stores and local police departments have signed on to accept it.
“DMV is actively working to expand Virginia Mobile ID acceptance across the commonwealth, including more retailers, restaurants and law enforcement agencies,” the department said in a statement announcing the program.
And it will not mean that you can leave your driver’s license at home because Virginia law still dictates it be with you at all times while driving.
It also has not reached the stage where you will be able to put your driver’s license in your Apple or Android wallets, but DMV said that will happen “In the coming months.”
How does the Virginia Mobile ID work?
While other states have created similar programs − DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey told The Progress-Index that about 19 others have launched one − Virginia will be the first state where Mobile ID will be accepted at DMV CSCs, by law enforcement, and at nine pilot Virginia ABC stores.
Virginia DMV is a founding member of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators’ Digital Trust Service, a nationwide security protocol and intrastate database that acts as a central clearinghouse for storage and distribution of personal information. Started in 2024, the DTS also serves Maryland and Utah.
Each user will be given QR codes that can be scanned by participating agencies and businesses. Data is grouped into four sections − Travel, Age, Standard ID and Driver’s License − depending upon how the ID will be used.
For example, if you are at a TSA checkpoint, you would tap the Travel option for scanning. If you are purchasing alcohol at an ABC store or restaurant, you would use the Age option.
The data is encrypted and transmitted directly between the phone and the reader device. Users can control how much data is shared and must authorize each scan.
DMV neither stores nor tracks user activity
“Security is paramount,” Lackey said.
Who is accepting the Virginia Mobile IDs now?
According to DMV, Mobile ID can be used at the following:
- TSA airport checkpoints: Richmond International, Norfolk International, Newport News-Williamsburg International, Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional, Reagan National and Dulles International, plus more than 250 airports across the nation.
- Police departments: Virginia State Police, the cities of Falls Church, Portsmouth, Staunton and Virginia Beach; the town of Wytheville; and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, New Kent and Washington.
- All DMV customer service centers.
As of now, only nine ABC stores in the metro Richmond area are piloting the Mobile ID. “Upon successful completion of the pilot program, Virginia ABC may expand to additional stores,” DMV said.
Currently, the only restaurant accepting Mobile ID in Virginia is located in Norfolk.
The Mobile ID app is available through the App Store or Google Play. It takes a few minutes to install, and installation involves scanning the back of your driver’s license and taking a selfie.
Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.
