Georgia has become the first state to pass key legislation around the acceptance of mobile/digital driver’s license with House Bill 296.
Georgia House Bill 296 currently “allows, but does not compel, law enforcement to accept digital versions of licenses/IDs.” However, state law enforcement agencies will be required to accept and verify digital IDs beginning July 1, 2027. This means that changes are on the way for Georgia law enforcement agencies.
For over one half million Georgia drivers who have begun carrying a mobile ID, the timeline of this legislation means that following July 1st, 2027, drivers will have the option to carry a physical ID, a mobile ID, or both.
For now, they are permitted to carry digital IDs for identity and age verification purposes, but motorists must also continue to carry their physical IDs.
Impacts of House Bill 296 on Georgia Law Enforcement Agencies
With the passage of this new legislation, Georgia law enforcement is on the clock to procure and implement the technology needed for digital identity verification by July 2027.
What does this realistically look like for agencies? They must:
- Explore options for reading digital driver’s licenses at traffic stops,
- Budget for the rollout of new technology,
- Implement a solution in their patrol vehicle environments, and
- Train officers on how to use the new equipment.
As law enforcement agencies look into their technology options, there are numerous considerations to keep in mind, including officer safety, hardware functionality, integration into the existing patrol vehicle workflow, and additional legislative requirements.
House Bill 296 addresses privacy concerns for motorists, permitting drivers to always maintain possession of their digital ID, and clarifying that presenting a digital driver’s license should not be considered consent to search their device. In short, the ID verification process must occur without an officer gaining physical control of a motorist’s mobile device.
L-Tron’s mDL Reader is purpose-built to assist patrol officers at traffic stops
L-Tron’s mobile driver’s license reader (mDLR-1) is built from law enforcement feedback with officer safety as the #1 priority. The L-Tron mDL Reader allows patrol officers to conduct roadside stops without ever picking up a motorist’s phone or physical driver’s license.
What are the key features of L-Tron’s mDL Reader?
Maintain situational awareness
L-Tron’s mDL Reader is wireless and has minimal buttons, making it easy-to-use, even while wearing gloves. The device enables patrol officers to conduct stops while keeping their focus on their surrounding environment. They are able to approach a vehicle with their hands free and will receive haptic and audio feedback when an ID has been read.
Minimize time spent on the roadside
Any time spent on the roadside presents an elevated risk of injury or fatality for Law Enforcement Officers. L-Tron’s mDL Reader is fast, keeping an officer’s time spent at a traffic stop to a minimum. Users are able to quickly read a digital license at the motorist’s car window, visually verify their identity, and process a citation back in their patrol vehicle – all without handling the motorist’s mobile device.
L-Tron’s mDLR-1 meets multiple scanning needs
- Read mobile driver’s licenses and non-driver IDs.
- Read physical license cards and non-driver IDs.
- Read multiple physical or digital IDs at once.
- Read vehicle registration barcodes.
Easy integration with existing equipment and software
Adopting L-Tron’s mDL reader has little-to-no impact on an agency’s existing patrol vehicle IT infrastructure. The L-Tron mDL Reader will work with your existing eCitation software and hardware.
Useful bonus features
In addition to reading IDs and digital driver’s licenses, L-Tron’s mDL Reader includes several additional features:
- Camera (take a photo of a vehicle, license plates, street signs, etc.)
- Signature capture capability
- Flashlight
Secure and durable
L-Tron’s mDL reader is built to last and will stand up to your patrol car environment. The mDLR-1 was modeled after L-Tron’s popular 4910LR driver’s license scanner, which has over a decade of field-proven success.
Abides by legislative requirements
Motorists never need to surrender their digital driver’s license. L-Tron’s mDL reader collects only the necessary information from a motorist’s mDL at their vehicle window.
Next Steps: The future of roadside ticketing
Whether your agency is in Georgia or another state, one thing is certain: mobile IDs and digital driver’s licenses are the future of identity verification.
At L-Tron, we have specialized in equipping patrol officers with eCitation technology for over two decades. As a result, our team is well versed and well prepared to assist your department in navigating the upcoming changes and potential challenges presented by mobile IDs.
