Thales shapes next generation of driver licensing and mobile ID services

Motor vehicle agencies in New Jersey and Kansas have selected Thales for driver licensing programs, reflecting a broader movement among DMV agencies across the U.S. to modernize driver licensing and identity services. As agencies invest in new digital capabilities, they are balancing demands for greater convenience and accessibility with the need for strong security and trust.

Findings from the Thales U.S. Driver and Vehicle Services Departments survey underscore this trend, revealing strong citizen interest in online services, mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs), and self-service options.

Survey Findings Point to Expanding Opportunities for Digital Service Adoption

Top findings of the survey include:

• Demand for online DMV services was strong, with 85% of respondents indicating they would use an online service portal.
• More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents said they would use a mDL.
• 70% would use self-service kiosks
• Across online portals, self-service kiosks and mobile IDs, security and privacy concerns were identified as the leading barriers to adoption.
• Readiness to adopt digital service tools differs considerably across states, with Alaska the only state to rank among the top 10 across all measured categories.

The findings show that citizen interest in digital services is widespread, but adoption readiness varies considerably across jurisdictions. While agencies are making significant progress in expanding digital options, security, trust and regional differences remain important factors in driving adoption.

“State agencies are under increasing pressure to deliver services that are more convenient, secure and efficient for citizens,” said Spencer Moore, Vice President for Civil Identity Solutions for North America. “The new programs in New Jersey and Kansas reflect this broader shift towards more secure identity management. Thales has a strong heritage in securing physical identities and trusted documents and expanding that expertise into digital identity is a natural evolution. Our survey shows strong interest in digital services, but adoption ultimately depends on trust. Secure, flexible digital experiences will be key to success.”

About the Survey

Thales surveyed 2,501 U.S. citizens nationwide between April 17 and May 13, 2026. The study examined experiences with DMV agencies, attitudes toward online and self-service channels, adoption drivers and barriers, and perceptions of mobile driver's licenses and digital identity solutions. This year’s survey results can be found here.