The ability to use smartphones as a wallet is getting a boost in Iowa, where residents will soon be able to flash their state ID or driver's license from their handset.
The Iowa Department of Transportation is reportedly launching a new digital license, which will be accepted by police and airport security officers.
"We are really moving forward on this," DOT Director Paul Trombino said on Monday, as reported by The Des Moines Register. "The way things are going, we may be the first in the nation."
Residents can still carry a traditional plastic identification card, but those looking to lighten their wallet's load can soon count on the secure digital version—complete with pin number for verification.
"Having this really allows people to protect their identity," Trombino said, suggesting the technology could be used for other state licenses and IDs.
As the Register pointed out, Iowa is already one of more than 30 states to allow drivers to show electronic proof-of-insurance during a traffic stop; most motorists already have their smartphone handy, whether using it to stream music or follow driving directions.
The Iowa DOT did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.
But Mark Lowe, director of the state's Department of Transportation Motor Vehicles Division, told the Associated Press that there is more to the digital licence concept than meets the eye.
The application would not only host a resident's personal details, but also send push notifications about traffic or a fast-approaching expiration date. Police and TSA officers, as well as purveyors of alcohol and tobacco, will be trained to assess the new digital licenses, as well.
Still under development, the program will be piloted over the next six months by a group of state-employed frequent travelers.