Travelling across the US has just become simpler: a mobile driver's licence or digital ID stored on your phone can now verify your identity at more than 250 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. Participation is optional, and travellers must still carry a compliant physical ID in case officers need to see it.
About the TSA Project
This is part of the Trump administration's ongoing plan to alleviate travel issues. More than a dozen US states are already adopting the new programme, which aims to cut waiting time for passengers.
This report noted that Arkansas has become the latest to join the scheme. State officials stated that an Arkansas Mobile ID can be used at TSA checkpoints in place of a physical license or ID.
The mobile ID can also be used as an alternative to a boarding pass. Further, it's being pioneered in conjunction with biometric facial recognition.
A total of 14 airports and four airlines are currently participating in this TSA project. Specifically, these include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
The latest airport to join the PreCheck Touchless ID programme is Denver International Airport. The state joins 15 others in recognising digital IDs, with travellers no longer required to provide physical means of identification.
Other states participating in the mobile app project include Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, and New Mexico.
Among others piloting the initiative are New York, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Policy Clarifications and Updates For Travel
All passengers must still carry a valid, compliant physical ID for verification purposes. The acceptance of digital IDs comes as US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem vows to make travelling in the US easier.
At a recent press conference, she shared that her goal would be that 'someday someone could walk into an airport, walk through a scanner, and go right to their airplane'.
She said that the initiative is one of many the Trump administration is pursuing to usher in the president's vision for a new Golden Age of American travel.
Another travel update also notes that liquids, following TSA's 3-1-1 rule, can now stay in passengers' bags. In light of this, Noem has phased out the rule for all travellers at airports.
There's also a new security line that was announced for families. The policy, dubbed Families on the Fly, is reserved for parents with small children and military personnel.
The policy is currently being trialled at major airports, such as Orlando.
Other Notes and How It Works
Aside from the aforementioned policy updates, Noem teased further security changes in development. The TSA has provided an outline for the new biometric programme in an explanatory video on their website.
The TSA also explained that there is no need to provide a physical ID or boarding pass; simply showing your face is enough to get through. The video details how passengers are told, so instead of using a physical ID.
This includes a driver's licence, passport, etc. Their faces will then be photographed by the TSA using biometric cameras.
