A few years ago, Apple's famous slogan "There's an app for that" communicated the idea that the iOS App Store was so expansive, you could find an app for pretty much anything your little heart desired. But you know what there wasn't an app for and seemingly never would be an app for? State driver's licenses.
But lo and behold, even this little piece of plastic is entering the 21st century. The Iowa Department of Transportation will launch an official (and free) mobile app in 2015 that allows drivers to use their smartphones to show their licenses, The Des Moines Register reports.
That's pretty crazy, no? I mean, what's more ingrained in American culture than a driver's license? For generations, the ritual has been to pass your driving test so you can get that tiny card, be free on the open road and flash it to prove you're old enough to drink. Now you really need to make an effort to not leave the house without a fully charged phone.
Of course, if Iowans would like to keep that tradition alive by sticking with the card, they may do so. However, don't let a fear of technology be a reason for not using this new app. It really is just like having your license on your smartphone, and it will be accepted by Iowa law enforcement officers at traffic stops and TSA agents at airports in Iowa, according to The Des Moines Register. There will also be a pin number for users to verify their identity in the app and keep it secure.
So what brought about this sudden change? It turns out it's just a natural progression of daily life as more people increasingly use their smartphones for everything, said DOT Director Paul Trambino at a state agency budget hearing on Monday.
Iowa is actually somewhat of a trailblazer when it comes to using technology to enforce the rules of the road. The state is one of 37 that allow drivers to use their smartphones to show their driver's insurance cards. New Jersey is one of the latest states looking to allow its drivers to do the same.
Of course, it looks like there's still a lot of kinks to work out in this plan, or at least questions that don't seem to have answers just yet, such as will drivers be able to use this app in other states and is it a legitimate form of identification across the board? But most importantly, can you replace your God-awful DMV photo with a selfie of your own taking? That's what we really want to know.
