NYS DMV Serves Up Mobile ID Demonstration At Common Roots Brewing...

ALBANY-The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles today in partnership with Common Roots Brewing Company showed how easy it is to verify a patron's age through the New York Mobile ID (MiD). The demonstration comes after the New York State Liquor Authority issued guidance on October 30 in which the full board voted to advise the state's bars, restaurants and other liquor license holders that MiD is an acceptable form of identification for age verification.

"The Mobile ID is as equally beneficial to users as it is to the businesses that accept it," said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. "It offers businesses a huge leg up in the fight against identify theft, and gives those verifying a patron's age greater reassurance that they are not accepting a fake ID, which could result in unknowingly serving someone underage. The DMV is grateful to the State Liquor Authority for taking this proactive action, and we hope it leads to more businesses accepting the Mobile ID."

"As businesses work to guard against sales to underage customers, the advisory recently adopted by the Authority provides guidance on the use of this new technology, should license holders elect to update their technology and accept Mobile ID," said SLA Chair Lily M. Fan. "While use and acceptance of MiD remains optional for our 59,000 licensee businesses, we congratulate our partners at the DMV for successfully bringing this updated form of personal identification to the Empire State."

Following the issuance of the State Liquor Authority guidance, the state's largest associations representing the bar and restaurant industries now support their members utilizing the technology.

President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association Melissa Fleischut said, "New York DMV's Mobile ID (MiD) puts us on the cutting edge of innovation, and we welcome its entrance into the hospitality world. Mobile ID allows the hospitality industry to quickly and accurately determine a customer's age without interrupting or slowing down service. On top of that, it has more features that prevent fraud. The industry needs to embrace technology that will allow us to follow all state laws, run more efficiently, and improve the customer experience."

Executive Director of the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association Scott Wexler said, "Running a successful restaurant or tavern means staying on top of trends and adopting tools that make your operations smoother and safer. New York DMV's Mobile ID (MiD), a digital version of a driver's license or ID card, is one such innovation. This secure and convenient solution simplifies verifying customer identities and ages for age-restricted industries like ours. The advanced security features make it harder for fake IDs to slip through and their efficiency allows staff to quickly verify a customer's information without fumbling through manual checks."

Verifying a Mobile ID

Accepting a Mobile ID is optional for businesses, but it provides a quick, highly-trustworthy, and contactless way to verify a customer's age or identity.

When a business asks a customer, "Can I see your ID?" the customer opens the passcode-protected MiD app and clicks "Share Identity." This displays a QR code that MiD verifiers scan with their own smartphone or tablet.

The QR code contains no personal data, and the code is read over Bluetooth on a secure, encrypted channel between the two devices. Verifying with MiD doesn't require an internet connection or a phone handoff.

When verifiers check a MiD, an encrypted key signature lets them know the Mobile ID was issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and can be trusted.

Benefits for Businesses

To become a MiD verifier, businesses can download a free or paid verifier app to any smart phone or tablet, integrate a MiD software development kit into an existing point-of-sale system, or configure online systems to accept MiD when a user logs into a secure website. The New York DMV will provide free marketing materials to businesses to help them promote the fact that they now accept Mobile ID.

When a business verifies a MiD, they can feel confident that their customers are who they say they are because the app provides real-time verification that the ID is authentic and was issued by the NYS DMV. The MiD app also displays a customer's information in an easy-to-read format rather than requiring a verifier to look for security features on a physical ID card.

In addition, MiD gives businesses the option of limiting the information they request so they only receive what they need to complete a business transaction. For example, a bar or restaurant selling alcohol can only request to see the customer's photo and age. This makes it easier for their servers and bar tenders to see the information they need quickly and easily while also protecting the MiD user from exposing more of their private data than necessary.

Getting a Mobile ID

Getting a Mobile ID is free and optional for all New Yorkers who have a valid Driver License, Learner Permit, or Non-Driver ID. It enables New Yorkers to access their ID directly on their smartphone. Once enrolled, where a New Yorker uses their Mobile ID is neither tracked nor retrievable by New York State, and MiD was specifically designed so the state is unable to see where it is used.

For more information about the DMV, visit dmv.ny.gov or follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

For more information about the SLA, visit sla.ny.gov or follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.