Buckeye Reporter

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced that more than 350,000 Ohioans have added their driver's license or ID to Apple Wallet. "Ohioans can use their mobile ID at Ohio casinos, TSA checkpoints in Columbus and Cincinnati, BGSU athletic events, and select businesses," he said in a January 8 post on X.

"Over 350,000 Ohioans have added their Driver's License or ID to Apple Wallet since Jon Husted's InnovateOhio launched the service in July," said Husted, Lt. Governor. "Ohioans can use their mobile ID at Ohio Casinos, TSA checkpoints in Columbus and Cincinnati, @bgsu athletic events, and select businesses."

In his post, Husted included a video discussing the convenience of digital driver’s licenses. "Just like you have your credit card in your Apple Wallet, now you can have your driver’s license," he said. He emphasized the importance of this technological advancement for improving customer service and solving everyday problems. "The Apple ID in your wallet is just one step forward today, but it’s going to lead to bigger things down the road that will create conveniences for everyone in the state," Husted added.

Screenshot of Lt. Gov. Jon Husted's Jan. 8 post on X | X

According to an August 2024 announcement by Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Husted, Ohio residents can add their state-issued driver's license or identification card to their Apple Wallets. This feature allows them to use digital identification at various businesses and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, including those at John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The announcement also introduced an age verification app for businesses to securely accept mobile IDs using an iPhone.

"InnovateOhio aims to make Ohio the most innovative, entrepreneurial state in the Midwest while enhancing convenience for residents through technology," said Husted in an August 1 news release. He noted that adding Ohio driver's licenses or IDs to Apple Wallet is part of modernizing the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) processes and simplifying them for residents.

Husted was adopted and raised in Northwest Ohio's Williams County and holds multiple degrees from the University of Dayton. Before entering public service, he served as vice president at the Dayton-Area Chamber of Commerce. His political career includes roles as Ohio Secretary of State and House Speaker before being elected Lt. Governor in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Husted resides with his wife Tina and their three children.