What is mDL?
A mobile Driver’s License (mDL) is the official digital version of a driver’s license stored securely on a smartphone. It is issued by the state and follows national and international standards so it can be trusted the same way a physical license is trusted — only with stronger security and better privacy controls.
How mDL Works
- Issuance
The state (in Georgia, the Department of Driver Services) issues a digital credential to the driver’s phone. The data is cryptographically signed by the state so it cannot be altered. - Storage
The mDL lives in a secure wallet on the phone (Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or an approved app). The driver controls it. - Presentation
When asked for identification, the driver presents the mDL. This can be done by:- Displaying it on the screen
- Sharing via QR code
- Using Bluetooth or NFC for a direct, secure connection
- Verification
The relying party (officer, agency system, or approved application) authenticates the credential. The system checks the digital signature against the state’s public keys to confirm the license is genuine and has not been tampered with. - Selective Data Sharing
Only the information needed for the encounter is shared. An officer can receive name, photo, and license status without collecting unnecessary personal details.
Why mDL Matters
Identity Checks
Officers can verify a license in seconds without handling a physical card or manually typing information. This reduces errors and speeds up traffic stops and field contacts.
Better Privacy
mDL technology supports selective disclosure. Only the data required for the specific situation is released, reducing unnecessary collection of personal information.
Auditability
Every verification can be logged. Agencies gain a clear record of when and where a digital license was checked — something traditional physical checks rarely provide.
Future-Ready Operations
States across the country are rolling out mDL programs. Agencies that can verify digital licenses now will be prepared as adoption grows and physical cards become secondary.
Reduced Fraud Risk
Because the credential is digitally signed and can be checked in real time (or offline against trusted certificates), it is much more difficult to present a fake or altered license.
How Querid Fits
Querid is built specifically to make mDL verification practical for law enforcement and approved partners. It handles the secure verification process, maintains a complete audit trail, supports location tracking, and allows verified data to be passed cleanly into other systems through controlled integrations.
In short: the state issues the trusted digital license. Querid gives agencies a reliable way to check it, record it, and use it.