Local legislator hopes to pass bill giving Idahoans access to mobile driver’s license

IDAHO FALLS – A prospective bill would give Idahoans the option of having an electronic driver’s license.

Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen, R-Idaho Falls, introduced a similar bill last year, which failed to gain any traction in the Legislature. She is hoping to see the bill advance this session.

RELATED | Proposed bill would give Idahoans access to an electronic driver’s license

Mickelsen explained how the bill would work in a conversation with EastIdahoNews.com last year.

“If people went to places that needed an ID, they could pull out their phone and use a Google Wallet or something,” Mickelsen said then. “When you have a physical copy of something, it could be lost, and it isn’t as easy for your ID to be stolen if it was on your phone that’s password protected.”

People could choose to opt in or out, she says. It would not make electronic driver’s licenses mandatory.

On Tuesday, Mickelsen said the main reason it failed last year was because lawmakers wanted additional information.

“They’re more comfortable with it this year. Three-quarters of the states already have, or are in the process of, instituting mobile driver’s licenses,” says Mickelsen.

She also notes that airports use facial recognition software for passengers to get on a plane, so the use of a digital photo ID is fairly common.

And many believe a digital driver’s license is more secure than a physical copy.

Mickelsen is collaborating with the Idaho Transportation Department to draft the legislation.

In 2024, ITD spokeswoman Ellen Mattila said one thing that’s made it work in other states is the ability to show your photo ID and date of birth without revealing your home address.

“It gets added to a mobile wallet the same way you can add your credit card information or concert tickets to a Google or Apple Wallet,” Mattila said.

Additionally, Mickelsen says you’re only allowed to have it on one device, which reduces the risk of personal information being stolen.

Mickelsen’s primary motivation behind the bill is convenience.

“I like to make people’s lives easier, so that’s where I’m coming from,” she says.

She’s hoping to introduce it in the House Transportation and Defense Committee next week.

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