Iowa Plans to Launch Smartphone Driver's License

Iowa residents will soon be able to use a mobile app on their smartphones as their official driver's license issued by the state Department of Transportation.

The app will be provided to divers at no cost and should be available sometime early next year, DOT Director Paul Trombino said to Gov. Terry Branstad during a state agency budget hearing Monday, according to The Des Moines Register.

"We are really moving forward on this," Trombino said. "The way things are going, we may be the first in the nation."

Those who download the app will still be able to keep their traditional plastic driver's license in their wallet or purse if they choose to, Trombino added.

The digital license, which was described as "an identity vault app," will be accepted by police throughout the state during traffic stops and by security officers screening travelers at Iowa's airports.

Iowa doesn't want to completely replace traditional driver's license, but to offer the app as an alternative to the temporary paper licenses issued before permanent licenses are mailed out, and then as a supplement to permanent licenses, according to The Des Moines Register.

Someday the app could act as optional full replacement to the traditional driver's license.

"The ultimate goal is that we get to the point where we see customers elect to use this in addition to or in lieu of the driver's license," he said. 

The app "should" be secure, as people will use a pin number for verification.

Department of Transportation spokesperson Andrea Henry said during an interview with CNN that the state could eventually use fingerprint or facial recognition software to verify authenticity.

There could be an issue of police invading a driver's privacy since an officer could possibly search through phone activity when you hand your phone over to let them check your license.

Iowa is one of more than 30 states that let drivers show electronic proof of insurance during a traffic stop. Instead of having to diff through your glove box for an insurance card, you can hand the law enforcement officer your mobile phone.