Nine Months in, 200K-Plus New Yorkers Have Gotten Mobile ID

(TNS) — More than 200,000 New Yorkers have already gotten their New York Mobile ID (MiD), a voluntary, highly secure digital version of a state-issued driver license, learner permit or ID, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) first announced the Mobile ID in June 2024.

“We’re thrilled that more than 200,000 New Yorkers have embraced this revolutionary technology that enables secure, contactless identification right from your phone,” Hochul said. “Whether you want to get through airport security or order an alcoholic beverage, Mobile ID is raising the bar on the way New Yorkers can verify their age and identity, offering greater convenience and privacy.”

Anyone with a valid New York state-issued driver license, learner permit, or non-driver ID can download the Mobile ID app on their Android or iOS device through Google Play or the App Store.

MORE ACCEPTANCE OF MOBILE ID

In tandem with the growth in Mobile ID users, the number of places where Mobile ID can be used continues to expand, said Hochul. Through a partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), New York’s MiD is accepted at TSA security checkpoints at more than 100 airports across the country and at four airports in New York state, including all terminals at LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy, Syracuse Hancock, and Stewart International airports.

State bars, restaurants and other businesses with liquor licenses can also accept Mobile ID as a form of age verification during alcohol sales after the New York State Liquor Authority issued an advisory in October approving its use.

“So much in today’s world happens on your smartphone, and Mobile ID’s strong growth in less than 10 months shows that so many New Yorkers have wanted a simple and secure way to access their driver license, permit or non-driver ID directly on their device,” said New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Mobile IDs will become increasingly important for consumers and businesses alike as more interactions go digital, and I’m proud that New York is one of the states leading the way.”

Hochul said the New York Mobile ID was designed to ensure user privacy, and was developed in compliance with the most stringent international standards for personal identification published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as well as the Mobile Driver’s License Implementation Guidelines created by the American Academy of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

SECURITY OF THE APP

The MiD app can only be unlocked through Face ID, TouchID, or a secure six-digit PIN. Personal information found on the MiD is encrypted and only accessible when the Mobile ID holder consents to sharing it.


Information is transmitted to a verifier through a secure, digital connection so the user never has to hand over their phone. And information about usage, including where, when, and what personal information the user has shared, is encrypted and stored only on their personal device, according to Hochul’s office. Data on when and where someone uses their MiD is not tracked, stored or transmitted.

Here’s how to get the mobile ID:

Once your information is verified, your MiD is active and ready to use wherever it is accepted, including in other states and countries. Learn more about New York Mobile ID online at: dmv.ny.gov.

©2025 Staten Island Advance, Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.