PODCAST: New app gives retailers a digital way to verify age

Listen to the podcast! (or use the embed below)

ADOT's Motor Vehicle Division is committed to using technology to make life more convenient and secure. That's why we recently featured a partnership with with the Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control that's giving retailers a way to accept digital IDs to verify age.

In the latest episode of our podcast, On the Road With ADOT, MVD Director Eric Jorgensen discusses the Smart ID Verifier app for iPhone. He also talks with our host, Doug Nintzel, about other innovations designed with convenience and security in mind. In addition to the link above, we've embedded this episode below.

You can subscribe to episodes of On the Road with ADOT through Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You also can find episodes at azdot.gov/Podcast and featured in ADOT Blog posts.

The Smart ID Verifier app accepts mobile IDs, including IDs in Apple Wallet and IDs in Google Wallet, as well as the physical MVD-issued ID card. Businesses can use it to verify age and properly record the verification for compliance with alcohol sales laws. Retailers using the Smart ID Verifier app will only be provided the required information necessary for age verification, such as a customer's age and ID photo. The information is encrypted between devices, so customers do not need to hand over their smartphones.

Neither MVD nor Apple have access to users' personal information and neither can see when or where users present their mobile IDs, as is the case with physical IDs and driver licenses.

Participation in the acceptance of mobile IDs is optional. Arizonans should continue to carry their physical driver licenses or state ID cards for those retailers who don't yet accept the digital option.

For additional information about the Smart ID Verifier App, please visit azdot.gov/smart-id-verifier-app.

This new feature provides Arizonans another way to utilize their mobile driver licenses in addition to presenting your ID through any of the three digital wallets at certain TSA airport security checkpoints.

Arizona was the first state to offer four options to keep your digital license or ID in your smartphone. Arizona first offered the Mobile ID (mID) in 2021, then in 2022 was the first state to add Apple Wallet. Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet for Android devices became available for Arizona driver licenses or ID cards in 2023.

To learn more about mobile options for Arizona driver licenses and state IDs, please visit azdot.gov/DigitalIDs.

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