Montana has introduced a new Mobile ID program enabling residents to carry digital versions of their driver’s licenses and state-issued identification cards on their smartphones and mobile devices. The program, which launched September 1, 2024, makes Montana the 19th U.S. state to implement mobile driver’s licenses, providing a digital alternative to physical ID cards that is accepted throughout the state, including for age-restricted purchases.
The digital credentials are available to Montana residents who possess valid physical IDs and compatible mobile devices. The Mobile ID system works on both Android and iOS platforms and can be added to users’ digital wallets at no cost. The implementation supports both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet integration, following the successful model established by other states. Residents can enroll in the program through the Montana Motor Vehicle Division website.
A key feature of the Mobile ID system is its enhanced privacy capabilities, which meet the ISO 18013-5 standard for mobile driver’s licenses. Users can selectively share specific information required for a transaction, such as age verification, without displaying other personal details contained on their ID. The selective disclosure feature represents a significant privacy advancement over traditional physical IDs. The digital ID is valid for all purposes where physical identification is accepted within Montana’s borders, including TSA checkpoints at airports.
“Starting Monday, residents of Montana will have the option to use a digital driver’s license as a secure and convenient form of identification,” said the Montana Department of Revenue.
Montana’s implementation of digital driver’s licenses follows similar successful programs in other U.S. jurisdictions, with states like Arkansas and Iowa leading the way in mobile ID adoption. The initiative represents part of a broader global trend toward digital identification, with other regions including South Africa planning comparable systems for future deployment. The program’s launch comes amid increasing emphasis on secure digital identity solutions and growing acceptance of mobile credentials for official identification purposes.
Sources: Montana Right Now, Mobile ID World
