December, with about 100 state Department
of Transportation employees expected to enlist
by spring as a test group to make sure the
app works.
Melissa Gillett, director of the department’s
motor vehicle division, said the mobile ID will be
optional, but motorists will still be expected to
carry hard-copy licenses.
“We expect this won’t be for everyone. There
may be people who choose not to adopt it or
may choose to wait, and that’s perfectly fine,”
said Gillett. She noted, however, that there
probably will come a time when the digital
version will be the accepted norm rather than
the exception.
Iowa DOT officials are working with technology
vendors to address security and privacy
concerns inherit with any electronic-based app.
They also are working with law enforcement
agencies, and want to make sure the digital ID
can be accepted by retailers and other places
that require people to show identification or
proof of age or address.
There will be no additional charge for the mobile
ID app in the first year, but in subsequent years
there will be a $4.99 charge in addition to the
driver’s license fee.