The relationship between mobile driver's licenses and platform wallets, such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet, is often misunderstood. These are not competing systems, they work together, but serve different roles in the digital identity ecosystem.
What role do OEM wallets play?
Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet are storage and presentation layers. They provide the user interface for holding and presenting credentials, leveraging the secure hardware built into modern smartphones. When a state DMV issues an mDL, it can be provisioned into one of these platform wallets, providing residents with a familiar and convenient way to carry and present their credential.
These wallets utilize the device's secure element to store cryptographic keys, enforce biometric authentication before presentation, and facilitate tap-to-verify interactions via NFC. For many users, this integration makes the mDL feel like a natural extension of the phone they already carry.
Who actually issues the credential?
The critical distinction is that the DMV, not Apple or Google, issues the credential. The platform wallet is simply the container. The mDL itself is a cryptographically signed attestation from the state motor vehicle authority, and its validity depends entirely on that signature, not on the wallet that holds it.
This separation is crucial for maintaining trust and accountability. The issuing authority controls what data is included in the credential, how it can be updated or revoked, and the standards it conforms to. The wallet provider controls the user experience but does not control the credentials' authenticity or validity.
Can I use a different wallet?
Yes. While OEM wallets offer convenience and deep hardware integration, mDLs can also be stored in third-party wallet applications or state-issued wallets, such as the California DMV Wallet. The underlying standards, ISO/IEC 18013-5 for in-person presentation and ISO/IEC 18013-7 for online use, are designed to be wallet-agnostic.
Some states issue credentials that can be stored in multiple wallet types, giving residents a choice. The California DMV, for example, allows mDLs to be stored in either Apple/Google Wallet or the state's own DMV Wallet application.
Why does wallet choice matter?
Wallet choice matters for competition, privacy, and avoiding lock-in. If only one company controlled the wallet layer, that company could become a de facto gatekeeper for digital identity, deciding which credentials are supported, which verifiers can participate, and how data flows through the system.
Open standards and wallet interoperability ensure that digital identity remains public infrastructure, not a proprietary platform. Residents should be able to move credentials between wallets, just as they can move contacts between phones. This portability protects user autonomy and prevents any single vendor from controlling access to essential services.
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