TRENTON, N.J. — Governor Phil Murphy has signed legislation requiring the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to create digital driver’s licenses and non-driver ID cards, making New Jersey the latest state to adopt mobile identification technology.
The digital IDs, also called mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs), will be accessible on smartphones and other devices. Residents will be able to electronically update their license information and securely display identification without carrying a physical card. The law includes provisions to protect user data and privacy, barring unauthorized access, sale, or sharing of personal information.
The legislation prohibits anyone, including law enforcement, from requiring users to hand over their devices when presenting a digital ID. It also clarifies that displaying the ID does not constitute consent for a phone search or provide grounds for a warrant.
Participation in the program is voluntary, with physical licenses remaining available.
“Digital driver’s licenses will make life easier for drivers across New Jersey,” Governor Murphy said during the bill signing.
The Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Act includes $1.5 million for the development of mDLs, with funding available into FY2026. At least 15 other states and Puerto Rico currently operate similar programs, with more states planning to follow.
The bill was sponsored by Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, Assemblyman William Sampson IV, Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, then-Senator Nellie Pou, and Senator Patrick Diegnan.
Acting MVC Chief Administrator Latrecia Littles-Floyd said the mobile ID will be “secure, convenient, and user-friendly.”
New Jersey joins a growing list of states embracing digital licenses with a law that emphasizes both accessibility and privacy.