CHARLESTON, W.Va.–West Virginia residents will soon be able to store their ID on their phone.
The mobile ID or mID app launched as a pilot program on December 10, by the WV Division of Motor Vehicles’, Governor Jim Justice and IDEMIA Public Security North America. Right now, people can use the app during TSA Precheck Checkpoints at participating airports in the country.
The app will allow residents to store and manage their identification credentials and it aims to make it easier for people to access their ID to make the interaction with government agencies, businesses, and other service providers. The app was created with the help from IDEMIA Public Security North America which is a security company that helped make sure the app will be secured, and residents can trust.
Everett Frazier, Commissioner for the WV DMV says that he was tasked by Governor Jim Justice to create something to help modernize the DMV.
“Governor Justice tasked me with this position, that was one of the key factors that he dwelled on was modernizing the DMV and that’s just what we’ve done,” Frazier said.
Frazier said the mobile app will resemble your photo ID card.
“Everything that your driver’s license has on it this will have on it,” Frazier said. “For example, if you go into a retail store and you’re buying something that requires an ID, they don’t need your address, all they need is your age, you can just show them your date of birth and age.”
However, he said the DMV will be handing out physical ID cards just in case.
Frazier said that if it wasn’t for the push he got to make the app, then the app would have just stayed an idea.
“I’ve got a great team at the DMV and great support from the Governor’s office and Secretary Wriston, without that it would just be ideas,” he said.
He believes that the app should be available for download, on the Apple App store or Google Play, in a couple of months. He also said that after the launch of the app, residents should expect them to come to OEM wallets soon after.
To learn more about the app or get to notified when the app becomes available you can visit the WV Division of Motor Vehicle’s website here.
Story by Morgan Pemberton, MetroNews