Digital driver’s license is now offered for Louisiana motorists

Earlier this month, it was announced that a recent act of the Louisiana Legislature created a digital Louisiana driver’s license that can be accessed on smart devices.
“It will enable an image of a physical Louisiana license to be displayed on cell phones ensuring that Louisiana drivers who have their cell phones will always have access to their license,” said the Office of Governor John Bel Edwards in a press release. “LA Wallet was created under Louisiana law of Act 625 by Baton Rouge Rep. Ted James.”
In the press release, Governor Edwards said, “Most people never leave home without their smartphone and with this App, they will never be without their driver’s license. State Police requested a ‘hands-off’ and ‘no-touch’ procedure that would not require them to hold a driver’s phone. Rep. Ted James, who authored the legislation that led to the creation of this app, is to be commended for his work as well as the team of Louisianans who designed it.”
The press release also quoted Office of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Karen St. Germain, who commented, “OMV is proud to make this app available to the public. The safety of the app has been tested with all industry-standard security measures and with pin number protection it is protected from anyone accessing a user’s license information. Also, it does not track nor ask to track the user’s location at any time. If a user’s phone is lost or stolen, the user can simply log into online portal to unlink their license information from their mobile device.”
The press release continued, “While there are other apps in development, LA Wallet is the only app with a fully-functioning, open to the public version in the Apple App store.
LA Wallet is free to download, but an in-app purchase of $5.99 activates a citizen’s license or ID for legal acceptance. The digital license is valid for the life of the user’s license issuance. Once a user’s physical license expires, they must renew their license with the OMV and purchase a new digital license through LA Wallet.
The user’s license information is always up-to-date. If a user updates their address or any other information before their license expires; the app will notify them that something has changed. They will not need to purchase a new license. Instead, they only need to unlink then relink their license.”