Digital ID in the U.S.: the next step in mobile driver's licenses
Micah Willbrand
Chief Product and Technology Officer
In today’s connected world, Digital ID systems are transforming how we prove who we are: whether when we’re opening a new bank account, verifying our age or boarding a plane. Globally, digital identity solutions like BankID, SPID, and MitID have already reshaped citizen–service interactions. Yet in the United States, adoption has been slower, largely because there is no centralized national identity system and states must drive their own programs, coupled with lingering questions around privacy, interoperability and consumer understanding.
That’s beginning to change. The U.S. is at a tipping point, with mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) emerging as the most promising form of Digital ID verification. These mDLs, cryptographically signed, government-issued identities stored securely on smartphones, offer stronger protection against fraud while giving individuals more control over their data. For instance, using selective disclosure, users can prove they’re over 21 without having to reveal their full address.
Digital IDs also move verification from probabilistic checks to deterministic verification, which relies on authoritative data from the issuing authority. This offers a stronger foundation for security and reduces exposure to identity fraud.
Digital ID in America: progress and perception
While Europe moves toward eIDAS 2.0 and a European Digital Identity Wallet, the U.S. is following a more state-led model. Today, over 78% of Americans live in a state where mDLs are active or in development. States like Louisiana, Colorado, California, and Maryland is leading the charge: integrating mDLs into daily life through apps like LA Wallet, MyColorado, and the CA DMV Wallet.
Despite this growth, public perception remains a sticking point. Many consumers remain wary of these apps’ ability to maintain the privacy of their data, while others question whether mDLs will ever be universally accepted. As a result, education and utility are essential to overcoming this hesitation. As more states and businesses adopt digital identity verification systems, convenience and security will drive trust and uptake.
Where Digital ID is already taking over
Across the U.S., Digital IDs are already streamlining identity checks in both physical and digital settings:
- Travel and Transportation – The TSA now accepts mDLs at select airports for passengers in PreCheck lines, offering faster, touchless verification.
- Banking and Financial Services – Banks in states like Utah and Colorado have hosted enrollment events to enable digital identity authentication for new account openings and customer lookups.
- Retail and Age-Gated Services – In California, fans can verify their age using an mDL at stadium kiosks when purchasing alcohol.
- Law Enforcement and Licensing – Colorado residents can present mDLs during traffic stops, while Louisiana’s LA Wallet stores hunting and fishing licenses alongside IDs.
- Fraud and Risk Reduction – Digital IDs provide deterministic verification of authoritative identity data. This reduces exposure to synthetic identities, deepfake attempts and tampered documents while strengthening trust in high-risk onboarding environments.
Remote verification: the new frontier
The fastest-growing opportunity for the U.S. lies in remote digital identity verification. Instead of manually scanning physical IDs during onboarding, users can instantly share verified credentials online—ideal for ecommerce, ridesharing apps, and financial institutions. This not only improves conversion rates but also minimizes exposure to synthetic ID fraud.
A key part of this shift is deterministic verification. Digital IDs allow businesses to verify identity data that comes directly from the issuing authority and is cryptographically protected. This removes reliance on probabilistic checks that struggle against deepfakes and synthetic identities, and provides a higher level of confidence during digital onboarding.
Collaborations like the NIST/NCCoE Mobile Driver’s License Project are paving the way for standardized frameworks, enabling businesses to securely accept Digital IDs at scale. As these standards mature, we’ll see digital identity and access management evolve toward frictionless, trusted digital interactions.
A bright future ahead?
By 2026, over 100 million Americans are expected to hold an mDL. With giants like Apple, Google and Samsung embedding Digital ID services into their wallets, acceptance will likely accelerate across nearly every industry. The truth of what is and isn’t possible is unfolding in front of our very eyes, and we’re close to a world where a single secure credential enables seamless transactions, stronger fraud protection and greater consumer trust.
As organizations confront rising fraud and increasingly sophisticated identity attacks, deterministic digital identity verification will become essential. mDLs and Digital IDs broadly offer a path toward stronger trust, lower risk and safer digital interactions for both consumers and businesses.
We help the world’s leading organizations prepare for this future; connecting them to trusted digital identity systems that balance security, compliance and user experience. Whether it’s digital identity proofing, Digital ID checks, or Digital ID authentication, our solutions enable your business to embrace the next era of digital trust.
Ready to see how Digital ID can transform your customer experience?
