New Jersey Senate Committee Advances Bill for Mobile Driver’s Licenses and IDs
Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee has taken a significant step towards modernizing identification systems by approving a bill that mandates the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to develop mobile driver’s licenses and identification cards. Sponsored by Senator Nellie Pou and Committee Chair Patrick Diegnan, this legislation, if enacted, would enable individuals to voluntarily acquire a mobile version of their driver’s license or ID card.
The proposed legislation, S-1297, unanimously passed the committee with a 5-0 vote. It seeks to redefine “mobile electronic communication device” broadly to include cell phones, wireless tablets, and any device with internet capability or wireless communication function.
Senator Pou, representing Passaic and Bergen counties, emphasized the importance of adapting to technological advancements. She noted the widespread use of cellphones and electronic devices in everyday life, highlighting the need for New Jersey to align with these changes for official licenses and identification purposes.
The initiative is backed by findings from the MVC’s 2016 ‘Mobile Driver’s License Feasibility Study’, which indicated not only the technological feasibility of digital licenses but also a significant public willingness to adopt such a system. According to the study, around 70 percent of New Jersey residents are open to paying for this digital option.
Senator Diegnan, from Middlesex, underscored the need for New Jersey to lead in digital licensing and other emerging technologies. He pointed out that laws facilitating easier updates to licenses and conducting other state business electronically would greatly benefit the state’s residents.
However, the implementation of this system will not be immediate. According to the bill, the MVC will start issuing these mobile licenses and ID cards six years following the enactment of the legislation. This delay allows ample time for the necessary technological infrastructure and security measures to be established.