Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — A state lawmaker is proposing a bill that would ask the Utah Driver License Division to study the possibility of offering electronic drivers' licenses.
Rep. Craig Hall, R-West Valley City, said during last year's interim session he hoped to run a bill that would create a deadline for the division to offer electronic licenses.
"With several discussions with the driver license division, I come to the conclusion that we're not quite there technologically," Hall said.
Now, Hall is sponsoring HB227, which asks the division to work with the Department of Technology Services to study the possibility of using electronic drivers' licenses and provide the state with recommendations on how to move forward.
The commission will have to address potential privacy issues, license acceptance by businesses and other states, and common smartphone problems such as a dead battery, he said.
Hall said the idea follows a bill passed in 2013 that allows drivers to present a proof of insurance electronically. Utah drivers can now keep a picture of their proof of insurance on their phone, or they can use an app provided by their insurance company.
