AMES, Iowa -- The Iowa Department of Transportation now has a new way to carry your driver's license on your smartphone.
"It's housed in an app on their smartphones, and it's free. It's optional, and acts a companion to your physical ID--it doesn't replace it. Folks should still carry their physical ID," says Iowa DOT Emerging Technology Program Manager Toni Smith.
She says the Mobile ID app puts security first.
"(Users) are required to scan the front and back of their driver's license, and the Mobile ID is looking at the security features of that license. It's looking at the information that's listed there and it's bumping it up against what's at the state's system of record at the DOT," Smith says.
She says the app also requires uploading a live selfie to verify against the user's DOT profile. They also have to use a PIN, or facial or fingerprint recognition to open the app.
Smith says it's just another part of life people want to keep on their phones.
"In my travels I've had my hotel key on my phone. People can get their car keys, car insurance cards--all of that. We know people ar moving more toward that digital environment," she says.
Smith says Mobile ID can be used at airport TSA screening, and with participating business that sell alcohol or tobacco.
She says the Iowa DOT also has information for businesses that want to be part of the Mobile ID program.
Smith says the Mobile ID app is available now in the Apple Store and Google Play.