Indianapolis – The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) unveiled a roadmap to introduce mobile driver’s licenses (MDLs) for residents, a digital alternative to the traditional plastic card. The announcement came during the Interim Study Committee on Roads and Transportation at the Indiana Statehouse.
Matt Kestian, General Counsel for the BMV, explained that the MDL will function as a secure, app‑based version of a driver’s license stored in a phone’s wallet. “There would be liveness checking and biometrics,” Kestian said, noting that the phone will confirm that the data it holds matches the BMV’s records, providing a reliable way for individuals to prove who they are.
Importantly, Kestian stressed that the MDL is not simply a photograph of a driver’s license displayed on a screen. The system is designed to protect privacy: law‑enforcement agencies will not be able to subpoena the BMV for a list of a person’s digital license usage or location history. “The MDL system is designed to not be able to be tracked,” he added.
Physical driver’s licenses will remain fully valid and optional after the digital version launches. The BMV aims to have the mobile license available to Hoosiers within the next 18 months, giving residents a choice between the familiar card and a modern, phone‑based credential.
While the technology is still in development, Kestian expressed confidence that adoption will grow once the MDL is released. “There isn’t really anywhere in Indiana where a person can use an MDL today, but we believe if we build this MDL, they will come,” he said.
How the MDL Works
The MDL will be accessed through a dedicated app or the native wallet feature on smartphones. Users will undergo biometric verification—such as facial recognition or fingerprint scanning—to ensure the person presenting the digital ID is the rightful holder. This liveness check helps prevent fraud and aligns with best practices used by other states.
Twenty‑one states already offer mobile driver’s licenses, including Arizona, California, Illinois, and Ohio. Indiana’s move places the state among a growing group of jurisdictions embracing digital identification to streamline verification for law‑enforcement, businesses, and everyday transactions.
What This Means for Hoosiers
For drivers, the MDL promises greater convenience. Instead of carrying a physical card, a verified digital license can be presented on a phone during traffic stops, at age‑restricted venues, or when checking into hotels. The BMV assures that the digital format will meet the same security standards as the traditional license.
Privacy advocates will note that the BMV’s design intentionally limits data sharing. The system will not create a searchable database of who uses the MDL or where, protecting citizens from unwarranted surveillance.
Next Steps
The BMV will continue testing the technology over the coming months, working with law‑enforcement agencies and technology partners to refine the user experience. Public outreach and education campaigns are planned to help residents understand how to enroll and use the MDL safely.
When the MDL becomes available, Hoosiers will have the option to keep their existing plastic cards or transition to the digital version, ensuring a smooth shift for all drivers across the state.
Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.
