Digital driver’s licenses may be coming soon to Pa., but don’t throw out your wallet just yet

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed two bills this week with bipartisan support to allow residents to carry digital versions of their driver’s licenses and vehicle registration cards on smartphones, lawmakers said in a news release. H.B. 2210, which passed 197-3 on Monday, would authorize digital vehicle registration cards.

According to the release, the legislation addresses a growing need as PennDOT no longer mails registration cards to residents who renew online and fewer households have printers available. “As our world continues to go digital, it is only fair that Pennsylvania drivers have the option to carry their vehicle registration on their device, just as they do with so many other important documents,” said state Rep.

Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, who authored the bill, said. Guzman noted that Pennsylvania allowed drivers to carry digital insurance cards starting in 2013, and this bill would extend similar convenience to registration cards. On Tuesday, the House passed H.B. 1970 by a vote of 186-15. The bill, authored by state Rep.

Ed Neilson, chair of the House Transportation Committee, would give residents the option to obtain a digital driver’s license or state ID card. The digital ID would be optional, and those who choose to obtain one would still receive a physical copy. Physical driver’s licenses would still be required during traffic stops.

“Over 90% of people have smartphones now, and with programs such as Apple Wallet and Google Pay, more Pennsylvanians want the convenient and secure option of a digital ID and digital registration card on their smartphone,” Neilson said. Neilson said digital IDs would include strict security and verification standards to prevent fraud and identity theft.

He noted that smartphones can be tracked and information can be erased remotely to protect users if a device is lost, unlike physical cards. Twenty-one other states already offer digital IDs, which are accepted at airports for boarding planes, according to Neilson. Both bills now advance to the state Senate for consideration.