New MVD program seeks wider use of mobile IDs by New Mexico businesses

The state’s Motor Vehicle Division is rolling out new tools to make mobile IDs more widely accepted by New Mexico businesses.

The Mobile ID Reader Loaner Program, announced last week, allows businesses to rent out age verification terminals from the MVD for about six months at no charge. Similarly, establishments can download free apps like NM Verifier or Tap2iD Mobile on smartphones instead of using the terminals.

Stephanie Schardin Clarke, state Taxation and Revenue Department secretary, said plenty of people have utilized the mobile ID service since New Mexico adopted it last year. However, businesses that require age verification — like bars and dispensaries — have faced obstacles in accepting this form of identification.

“This is really to make it easier for businesses to try it out. We think that when they do, they will find that it’s a really nice perk for their customers,” Schardin Clarke said. “It actually provides security and reduces risk for their own staff — that’s something that they’ll hopefully want to continue to do.”

New Mexico is one of 16 states in the U.S. that accept digital identification, like driver’s licenses, according to the Transportation Security Administration. The expansion of mobile IDs comes as the technology continues to grow nationwide, highlighted last week by Apple’s announcement that iPhone users can now add passport details to their digital wallets.

Chris Goblet, executive director of New Mexico Wine Association, said his group was the first in the state to receive a mobile ID reader. When the MVD introduced the technology, Goblet was admittedly a little hesitant. But, acknowledging that digital wallets are becoming the norm, he hopes to have all association members “mobile ID friendly” by 2026.

“I was just very keen to be on the front end of this, not waiting to begrudgingly have to adopt it,” Goblet said. “Local breweries, wineries and distilleries — I think it benefits customers and it’s coming anyway. We might as well get used to it.”

Data sharing with mobile IDs is limited to those who have a “right to know and consent to know,” Schardin Clarke said. When presenting a physical driver’s license, the handler can see someone’s name, address and weight — more information than a person’s age.

Mobile IDs have end-to-end encryption and safety features, Schardin Clarke said. When utilizing it, the owner can consent to what information is being shared for whatever reason.

“From a confidentiality standpoint, for people (who) are concerned about their information, I think there’s different sides to that,” Schardin Clarke said. “I respect people’s privacy, obviously, and we’ve taken that into consideration here.”

The department is also working with state agencies — like the Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Workforce Solutions and the Health Care Authority — to see how the technology can be applied to their operations.

“All of those applications are something you could expect mobile driver’s licenses to do and, over time, we think that they will,” Schardin Clarke said. “It’s just, how soon do they adopt the technology?”