The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that it will now accept New York-issued mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) at checkpoints equipped with digital ID readers nationwide. This development marks a significant step forward in the use of digital credentials for identity verification during the screening process.
Travelers who have downloaded the New York Mobile ID app to their smartphones can now use it for identity verification instead of handing over a physical photo ID and boarding pass to TSA security officers at checkpoint entries. This initiative aligns with the TSA’s ongoing efforts to streamline and enhance the security screening process.
New York State has made the New York Mobile ID available to all state residents at no additional cost. To use the digital ID, residents must have a valid license, permit, or non-driver ID card issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The New York Mobile ID app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play, allowing users to add their digital ID to their smartphones easily.
Robert Duffy, TSA’s Federal Security Director for LaGuardia Airport, highlighted the benefits of the new digital ID option: “We are pleased to be able to add this state-of-the-art digital ID to the list of acceptable IDs at our security checkpoints. Travelers who want to take advantage of this new capability will find that their New York mobile ID is a convenient option when going through the security process.”
DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder emphasized the security and convenience of digital IDs: “Digital credentials are the future of identity verification, and New York is proud to be among the states leading this innovation in partnership with the TSA. This is an exciting way to prove who you are without having to dig through your wallet or purse to find your physical document. Rather than handing over your physical ID with lots of personal information, the Mobile ID gives you greater control over what personal data you share, making it both more convenient and much safer for you.”
New Yorkers can use their TSA-approved digital ID for identity verification at John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia Airports, as well as at 26 other airports where TSA has credential authentication technology units. These units, equipped with digital ID readers and a camera, capture a real-time photo of the traveler to match with the photo on their ID. Once cleared by the TSA officer, the photos are deleted to ensure privacy.
The technology also verifies that the individual is ticketed for air travel that day, eliminating the need to show a boarding pass to the TSA officer. However, travelers still need to present a boarding pass to the airline gate agent.
New York joins eight other states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, and Utah—in offering digital IDs that are compatible with TSA’s credential authentication technology. This move further cements the transition towards digital identity verification and enhances the overall efficiency and security of the travel experience.
The introduction of New York’s mobile ID at TSA checkpoints represents a significant advancement in digital identity technology, providing travelers with a secure, convenient, and modern way to verify their identities while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and data protection.