Among the initiatives mentioned during Tuesday’s State of the State address, Gov. Phil Murphy called for the Legislature to advance a bill that would allow for mobile driver’s licenses.
The bill — introduced last January by state Sen. Pat Diegnan and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano — would allow New Jersey residents to obtain mobile driver’s licenses or identification cards that they can access on smartphones or other electronic devices.
“This is just common sense,” Murphy said Tuesday. “Taking this step will make life easier for the people we serve. And is that not what good government is all about?”
While that bill cleared committee in the upper chamber, it hasn’t moved at all in the lower chamber.
New Jersey would also likely have to apply for a waiver from TSA to ensure the residents using Real ID mobile licenses are compliant with federal regulations.
As it stands, Real ID goes into effect May 7 and states that have mobile licenses need a waiver because otherwise the mobile version is not compliant to be used for air travel.
Nearly a decade ago, the Legislature passed a bill requiring the Motor Vehicle Commission to conduct a feasibility study about mobile driver’s licenses. That study found nearly 70% of respondents would pay for a mobile license option.
New Jersey isn’t the first state to consider allowing for mobile licenses. More than a dozen states have them including New York and Delaware.
Diegnan’s bill would be effective three years after signing, allowing for time to get programs in place to help with the functionality of the mobile option. That might be a good thing.
According to William Connolly, a spokesperson for the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission the “creation of a mobile driver’s license will require some upgrades and the integration of new technology.”
Connolly also noted that New Jersey motorists have been able to use or display a digital vehicle registration on a smartphone or electronic device since March 2023.
Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com
