HONOLULU(KHON2) -- Your Hawaii Driver's license is going virtual. The state and county are partnering with Apple to introduce a new digital ID system aimed at making life easier for residents. But officials said, it's not time to ditch your physical ID just yet.
"We want to make things as easy and secure for all of our residents as possible," State Transportation Director Ed Sniffen said. "Since we launched it a couple of days ago, there's been over 14,000 applications for it. And so far, over 9,000 have been approved by by the city. So it's really exciting."
Real ID compliant credentials can be uploaded in your Apple wallet, by selecting "Drivers license or State ID" and following the instructions. The process is fairly simple.
During the set up process you are also required to take a selfie. In all, the process takes about five minutes.
"They did a really good job to make sure it's seamless," Sniffen added. "But if there's additional information they're going to need from you, they may hold off on approving your application until they get more information from you."
According to Sniffen, the digital ID is accepted wherever they have mobile readers, including Terminal 1 at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and at some stores.
"At this time, you cannot use it on any other governmental areas. If you're trying to get into the federal building, they're not going to accept your mobile driver's license. If a police officer requests your ID, you cannot use it for that either," he said.
In a statement the City Technology Director Mark Wong said:
"This is very early in the deployment of mDL in the U.S. Until there are enough devices to read them, people should carry their card IDs. You have been able to add payment cards in your mobile device for years, but many merchants still require cards. mDL is a secure and convenient alternative to the plastic card."
The goal, eventually, is to no longer have to carry a physical ID. But Sniffen said that could take years.
"Before we start moving forward on other agencies adopting this, there's going to be additional readers that are necessary, training and definitely policies that may be in play and that may be required for police officers," Sniffen said. "There may be even legislation that's necessary for them to be vote accepted."
But there are also concerns about identity theft.
"The key is, it's Apple. Do you trust Apple? And if you trust them, then it's secure," Ignite Solutions Group CEO and tech expert Derek Gabriel explained. "But with any software there could be underlying vulnerabilities that we just haven't discovered yet."
Gabriel said if it is compromised, it's similar to your physical ID or driver's license being stolen.
Ultimately, technological advancements like this are meant to streamline things.
"Are they making our lives easier?" KHON asked.
"You know, I hope so," Gabriel said. "But also there's that weird struggle where it's different so it's going to take people a little to get used to it."
Sniffen said they are now working with other platforms including Google and Samsung to provide the service to those who do not use Apple products.