Who Provides mDL Verification for Law Enforcement?
When the Montana Highway Patrol needed a trusted partner to bring mobile driver’s license verification to their troopers, they turned to SmartCOP.
On January 13, 2026, the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) announced that troopers will begin accepting Montana Mobile IDs and other mobile IDs from across the country during routine traffic stops. MHP is currently the only law enforcement agency in the state accepting Montana Mobile IDs and other mobile IDs. It is done through an application installed on the trooper’s state-issued smartphone to function as the mobile ID reader.
This milestone makes SmartCOP one of the first public safety software vendors in the nation with a production-ready mDL verification for law enforcement. SmartCOP’s solution is actively deployed with a statewide law enforcement agency.
The Challenge: Modernizing Traffic Stops While Protecting Privacy
Law enforcement professionals face a familiar frustration: keeping pace with rapidly changing technology while maintaining officer safety and data security. As more states adopt mobile driver’s licenses through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, agencies need verification tools that work in the field, protect citizen privacy, and integrate with existing systems.
For many agencies, especially those covering vast geographic areas like Montana, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Troopers need technology that works in remote areas, integrates with their existing CAD and records systems, and meets strict data privacy requirements.
SmartCOP: A Trusted Guide for Statewide Deployments
SmartCOP has served as Montana Highway Patrol’s technology partner for years, providing MHP’s computer-aided dispatch (CAD) program. When the state was ready to accept mobile IDs, SmartCOP was the natural choice to extend that partnership.
This new technology provides a secure and convenient way for drivers to carry and present their identification. The option will simplify traffic stops for our troopers and the public.
How the SmartMOBILE mDL Verification Works
The SmartMOBILE application makes mDL verification straightforward for troopers in the field:
Driver initiates the process: To present a mobile ID, users will need to first let the trooper know they’d like to use one. Troopers may not request a mobile ID directly.
Secure presentation: Users can present their mobile ID by holding their device near the trooper’s mobile ID reader. Users will never be required to hand over their devices to law enforcement.
Biometric consent: Users will be able to review the requested information before it’s shared with the trooper, and after reviewing, they can consent to present the requested information by authenticating with their biometrics.
Integration: The SmartMobile application ensures the information is securely sent to the MHP system and verified just as if the motorist used a physical ID.
Privacy by Design: No Data Stored
Privacy protection is built into the core of SmartCOP’s mDL solution. Smart COP does not store any of the data.
When presenting a Montana Mobile ID, Apple or Google and the state-issuing authority do not know when or to whom a user presents their driver’s license or state ID. Montanans who choose to present a mobile ID during a traffic stop share the same information as when presenting a physical driver’s license for verification. No additional data or checks are collected.
Accepting mDLs from Across the Country
One of the most significant aspects of this deployment is interoperability. Montana Highway Patrol will begin accepting Montana Mobile IDs and other mobile IDs from across the country during routine traffic stops.
If you have a valid and compliant mobile ID from another state, the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) will be able to accept it. This positions Montana as a leader in cross-state digital identity acceptance.
SmartCOP: Serving Agencies Nationwide, Not Just the Southeast
While SmartCOP is headquartered in Florida, the company has established a strong track record of supporting public safety agencies across the United States. The Montana Highway Patrol partnership demonstrates SmartCOP’s ability to deploy and support statewide systems far beyond the Southeast.
SmartCOP currently serves state-level agencies and large deployments across multiple regions, including:
- Mountain West: Montana Highway Patrol
- Southwest: Texas, Colorado
- Southeast: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
- Midwest: Kansas
From conservation officers patrolling remote wilderness areas to statewide highway patrol agencies covering thousands of miles, SmartCOP’s platform is built to scale. The SmartSUITE of products, including SmartCAD, SmartMOBILE, SmartRMS, SmartJAIL, and SmartDATA, provides a unified system designed for the unique demands of large, distributed agencies.
Why Statewide Agencies Choose SmartCOP
Agencies responsible for protecting entire states face distinct challenges:
- Vast coverage areas with inconsistent connectivity
- Multi-jurisdictional coordination requirements
- Complex reporting mandates like NIBRS and state-specific compliance
- Diverse operational environments from urban centers to rural back roads
SmartCOP’s offline-capable architecture means troopers and officers can complete reports, run queries, and access critical data even in areas with limited or no cellular coverage. When connectivity returns, data syncs automatically. For agencies like the Montana Highway Patrol, which covers over 147,000 square miles, this capability is essential.
The Road Ahead: mDL Adoption is Accelerating
As of mid-January 2026, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) lists 21 US states (plus Puerto Rico) with mDL programs accepted at TSA checkpoints. 2026 is expected to bring a broader mDL rollout in the US. As adoption grows, more and more verifiers will look for a reader implementation that covers the full ISO mdoc flow.
Law enforcement agencies across the country will soon need mDL verification capabilities. SmartCOP is ready now.
What Happens If Your Agency Doesn’t Prepare?
Agencies that delay adopting mDL verification risk:
- Falling behind citizen expectations as more drivers carry digital credentials
- Interoperability gaps when out-of-state drivers present mDLs
- Missed opportunities to reduce manual data entry and improve accuracy during stops
A Clear Path Forward
For agencies considering mDL verification or looking for a unified public safety platform that can scale statewide, SmartCOP offers a proven path:
- Connect with our team to discuss your agency’s needs and challenges
- See the platform in action with a personalized demonstration
- Deploy with confidence, backed by decades of public safety technology experience
Ready to Equip Your Agency?
Montana Highway Patrol troopers are already using SmartCOP’s software solution to accept mobile driver’s licenses from across the country. Your agency can be next.
Contact the SmartCOP team today to learn how we support statewide deployments.
