Since the service launched in May, 150,000 Georgians have signed up for the state’s new digital driver’s license option, according to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).
“This marks a significant advancement in digital identity verification within the state,” DDS writes in a press release.
📢 Attention all amazing customers and followers! Our recent milestone of 150k users for the Georgia Digital Driver's License & ID wouldn't have been possible without your incredible support! 🎊📱#DigitalDriversLicense #GeorgiaDDS #DDScares #ReimagingDriverServicesin2023 pic.twitter.com/wpt30rRF8Z
— Georgia DDS (@GeorgiaDDS) June 14, 2023
The Georgia Digital Driver’s License and ID, which launched on May 18 in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is voluntary and free.
The service was launched for Georgians to add their Georgia driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet on their iPhone or Apple Watch for convenience when traveling by air.
Georgians are still required to carry and present physical copies of state-issued licenses and IDs at TSA checkpoints and when requested by law enforcement, as the digital option is only accepted at select TSA checkpoints.
“The digital driver’s license and ID is optional and is not a substitute for customers’ physical cards. Therefore, DDS reminds customers to continue to always carry their physical driver’s license because it is the law,” the department adds.
The digital service is accessible for those with Georgia driver’s licenses or ID cards, an iPhone 8 or later, or Apple Watch 4 or later, with the latest version of iOS or watchOS, according to DDS.
To confirm their identity to use the digital alternative, Georgians must first use their devices to scan a copy of their most recent credential, submit a selfie photo for verification, and complete a series of gestures.
Shortly after the service was launched for public use, DDS released a social media post reminding Georgians to “take pictures with your clothes on when submitting them for your Digital Driver’s License and IDs” in order to “keep things classy.”
👀Attention, lovely people of the digital era! Please take pictures with your clothes on when submitting them for your Digital Driver’s License and IDs. 🫣Let's raise our virtual glasses and toast to the future🥂😄 Cheers to technology and keeping things classy! 🤭#ddscares pic.twitter.com/yhlWFycbW1
— Georgia DDS (@GeorgiaDDS) May 23, 2023
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network.
Photo “Georgia Digital License” by Georgia Department of Driver Services.
If you have to have a real drivers license to get through the TSA checkpoints at the airport what good are the digital ones?