Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than 200,000 New Yorkers have completed the enrollment process for New York Mobile ID (MiD), a voluntary, highly secure digital version of a state-issued driver license, learner permit or ID. 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,” according to Governor Hochul. “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 driver’s license, learner permit, or non-driver ID can download the secure Mobile ID app to their Android or iOS device via Google Play or App Store.
As the number of Mobile ID users grows, so does the number of places where Mobile ID can be used. New York’s MiD is accepted at TSA security checkpoints at over 100 airports across the country, as well as four airports in New York State, including all terminals at LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy, Syracuse Hancock, and Stewart International.
The New York State Liquor Authority approved the use of Mobile ID as a form of age verification during alcohol sales in October, so state bars, restaurants, and other businesses with liquor licenses can now accept it.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder stated, “So much in today’s world happens on your smartphone, and Mobile ID’s rapid growth in less than ten months demonstrates that so many New Yorkers have desired a simple and secure way to access their driver license, permit, or non-driver ID directly on their device.
Mobile IDs will become increasingly important for consumers and businesses as more interactions become digital, and I am proud that New York is one of the states leading the way.”
The New York Mobile ID was created to protect user privacy and in accordance with the most stringent international standards for personal identification published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the American Academy of Motor Vehicle Administrators’ Mobile Driver’s License Implementation Guidelines.
The MiD app can only be unlocked using Face ID, TouchID, or a secure six-digit PIN. Personal information stored on the MiD is encrypted and accessible only if the Mobile ID holder agrees to share it.
Information is sent to a verifier via a secure, digital connection, so the user is never required to hand over their phone. And usage data, including where, when, and what personal information the user has shared, is encrypted and stored solely on their personal device. Data on when and where people use their MiDs is not tracked, stored, or transmitted.
You can obtain MiD in a few easy steps:
- Download the New York MiD app from the App Store or through Google Play.
- Register the phone number of the device the Mobile ID will be on. Your Mobile ID can only be on one device at a time to help protect your identity.
- Take a picture of the front and back of your physical ID (driver license, non-driver ID, or learner permit), using your phone’s camera.
- Pose for a selfie. The app checks the photo and ID against information on file with the DMV to ensure you are who you say you are.
Once your information has been verified, your MiD is activated and ready to use anywhere it is accepted, including other states and countries. Discover more about New York Mobile ID online.
