Kentuckians can now access a digital version of their driver’s license or state ID through the newly launched Kentucky Mobile ID app, a free and secure option accepted at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at more than 250 U.S. airports.
According to a release from Gov. Andy Beshear’s office, the mobile ID allows users to confirm their identity for air travel and certain age- or identity-restricted transactions while maintaining greater control over what personal information is shared. The digital ID does not replace a physical driver’s license or state ID, which Kentuckians are still required to carry.
Kentucky Mobile ID is a voluntary, state-approved digital version of a Kentucky driver’s license, permit, or ID card stored securely on a user’s smartphone. Access to the ID is protected by the device’s PIN, Face ID, or Touch ID, helping prevent misuse if a phone is lost or stolen. Identity verification is completed through records held by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, according to the release.
“Mobile ID offers Kentuckians more options for air travel, while further protecting them from identity theft or having their private information shared,” Beshear said. “We want our families to be safe and feel safe while they are traveling, and this is just another step Team Kentucky is taking to increase safety for our people.”
The mobile ID is accepted at TSA security checkpoints at major Kentucky airports, including Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, and Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah.
Kentuckians with a standard license who later upgrade to a REAL ID will see that status reflected in the app before their physical card arrives by mail, the release says. Federal REAL ID enforcement began May 7, 2025, requiring an approved form of identification for commercial air travel and military base entry.
Transportation Cabinet officials said the app gives users flexibility while limiting unnecessary exposure of personal information during transactions, such as age verification for restricted purchases.
Not all businesses or government agencies accept mobile IDs, and state law still requires drivers to present a physical license during traffic stops or crash investigations.
Merchants can verify a Mobile ID using the free Mobile ID Verify app, which uses encrypted Bluetooth communication and allows users to approve or deny requested information in real time.
Kentucky joins 18 other states and Puerto Rico in offering the IDEMIA Mobile ID platform. The launch is considered a first step toward future integration with digital wallet platforms such as Apple, Google, and Samsung once Kentucky completes modernization of its driver licensing system in 2026.
More information about Kentucky Mobile ID is available at drive.ky.gov/mobile-id.
