Should Pennsylvania Offer Digital Driver's Licenses?
There is a chance that Pennsylvanians could access their driver’s license—on their phone.
House bill 1247 would task PennDOT with offering an app where a person could access a digitized version of their driver’s license.
The House Transportation Committee heard testimony on the bill today in a public hearing.
Representative Dan Miller, a Democrat from Allegheny County, introduced the bill six years ago. This is the first year it has made traction.
Around 20 states have legalized digital driver’s licenses.
State police in the hearing said that Pennsylvanians would still need to carry a physical copy of their license when driving. That would avoid citizens handing their unlocked phone to police when verifying I.D..
Concerns were also raised about the security of having the document in a digital format. Rep. Miller said the technology can handle the threat.
“To be honest it’s only getting more and more secure. So everything is pointing in the right direction," said Miller. "Our original discussions on this bill showed that there is actually less flaws coming in through the digital than the physical.”
The committee also questioned how the law could connect with Real ID, which the federal government will start requiring May, 2025.
A testifier with PennDOT noted that it would take time for businesses- like restaurants and other stores- to respond to new technology.
Committee Chair Ed Neilson (D- Philadelphia) said the bill as it stands now will require amendments, but has potential.