FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentuckians can now carry a secure digital version of their driver’s license or state identification card on their smartphones.
Governor Andy Beshear announced the launch of Kentucky Mobile ID, a voluntary, state-approved digital ID that can be used at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at more than 250 airports nationwide, including major airports in Kentucky. The Mobile ID is accepted for air travel and other identity-verification purposes at participating locations.
The Mobile ID is designed to enhance privacy and reduce the risk of identity theft by sharing only the information needed for a transaction. State officials emphasized that the digital ID does not replace a physical driver’s license or ID card, which must still be carried and is required during traffic stops or other law enforcement interactions.
“Mobile ID offers Kentuckians more options for air travel while better protecting them from identity theft,” Beshear said. “This is another step Team Kentucky is taking to help families feel safe while traveling.”
The digital ID is stored on a user’s smartphone and protected by the phone’s security features, such as a PIN, fingerprint or facial recognition. If a phone is lost or stolen, the ID remains locked, unlike a physical card that could be misused.
Kentucky Mobile ID is verified through records held by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and is available to anyone with a valid Kentucky driver’s license, permit or ID card. Users who initially register with a standard license and later upgrade to a REAL ID will see that change reflected in the app before the physical card arrives in the mail.
Federal REAL ID enforcement began in May, requiring an approved form of identification for commercial air travel and entry to certain federal facilities.
Kentucky joins 18 other states and Puerto Rico in offering the IDEMIA Mobile ID app. Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said the digital ID provides added convenience while allowing users to limit how much personal information they share during transactions.
Not all businesses or agencies accept Mobile ID, and officials caution residents to continue carrying their physical ID. Mobile IDs are accepted at TSA checkpoints at airports including Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
Kentuckians can download the Kentucky Mobile ID app through the App Store or Google Play and complete a verification process that includes scanning their physical ID and taking a live selfie. More information is available at drive.ky.gov/mobile-id.
State officials say Kentucky Mobile ID is the first step toward broader digital wallet options in the future, following modernization of the state’s driver licensing system expected to be completed in 2026.
