HONOLULU - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is now accepting Hawaii-issued digital driver licenses and identification cards from travelers who have added it to Apple Wallet. Hawaii is the 11th state to offer its residents the option of using a digital ID for identity verification at select airports nationwide.
“We are pleased to have partnered with the Hawaii Department of Transportation to make the digital ID a reality in the Aloha State. This is another way of integrating technology into the aviation security process at no additional cost to the passenger,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Hawaii Nanea Vasta. “We have taken great care to ensure that use of the digital ID can be done so securely and privately when traveling.”
Travelers with a digital ID can use it for identity verification in both the TSA PreCheck® and standard screening lanes at the Makai security checkpoint in Terminal 1 at HNL. This is where TSA has the latest generation of Credential Authentication Technology referred to as CAT-2. The CAT-2 units are equipped with digital ID readers and a camera that captures a real-time photo of the traveler.
CAT-2 compares the traveler’s photo on the digital ID against the in-person, real-time photo. Once the CAT-2 confirms the match, a TSA officer will verify and the traveler can proceed to security screening, without ever exchanging a boarding pass or physical ID. TSA officers can perform additional passenger verification if needed.
Photos captured by CAT units are never stored or used for any other purpose than immediate identity verification. Travelers who do not wish to participate in the facial matching process can opt out in favor of an alternative identity verification process.
Any Hawaii resident who has a state-issued digital ID can tap their iPhone or Apple Watch on a CAT-2 digital reader in lieu of providing a physical photo ID for identity verification. TSA encourages residents to continue to carry their physical driver license or photo ID.
Currently, 11 states offer digital IDs that are accepted by TSA. They are Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, New York, Maryland, New York, Ohio and Utah.
TSA has plans to add additional CAT-2 units at other Hawaii airports. This is expected to happen in mid-September, further expanding the number of travelers who will be eligible to use an mDL for identity verification.
TSA continues to integrate new technologies into its identity verification process. Read more about these programs at www.tsa.gov/digital-id.