PA Driver's License, ID Cards Could Face Major Upheavel

PENNSYLVANIA — A significant change could occur regarding Pennsylvania driver licenses and ID cards under a proposal being advanced by a state legislator.

State Rep. Ed Neilson, a Philadelphia Democrat, plans to introduce a bill that would give people the option of using electronic licenses and IDs on their mobile phones in addition to their physical cards.

"This is not simply a photo of a driver’s license or ID card displayed on a smartphone," Neilson said in a memo to colleagues.

"These mobile products will be subject to strict security, privacy, and authentication requirements to prevent fraud and theft of a user’s data when being used while being compatible with third-party apps such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and others."

Neilson said his pending legislation would require a person have a Real ID before they can be issued mobile identification, and that physical ID still would be required during traffic stops as required under current law.

Neilson said 18 states have enacted similar programs, including California, Louisiana, New York, and Ohio.

"It is time for Pennsylvania to follow suit and take the next step in adopting modern technology," he said.