Your Michigan driver’s license could move from your wallet to your smartphone

File photo of a man using a cellphone.NJ.com file photo

Soon your driver’s license or state identification card could be something other than a plastic rectangle stored in a leather wallet or purse.

It could be in your mobile phone.

A Michigan bill would allow users to pull up their ID virtually on their phones with all their information, similar to a normal ID.

Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, proposed the idea this month as a way to help bring the state into the modern age and grow the population. “We’re losing people by the day and most of them are younger people... so looking for innovative ways for placemaking and bringing people to the state,” Anthony said.

Related: Michigan’s population trend could bring economic pain. How are policymakers responding?

Registration and proof of insurance are currently already available electronically in Michigan.

Under SB 459, the secretary of state will be able to upload a person’s “mobile official state personal identification card” electronically through a mobile license system.

Anthony has attempted to pass the legislation in prior terms as a member of the state House.

The previous bill laid out specifics of the mobile ID system. It stated users would be able to pull up their ID virtually with an app on their phones using a special QR code. A QR code is a machine-readable code consisting of black and white squares used for storing information that can be read either by the camera on a smartphone or another type of handheld technology.

The optional electronic ID, or eID, could be used for state government services, for banking, by police during a traffic stop and even at your local bar. Traditional plastic IDs would remain valid.

When previously asked about the bill, Michigan State Police spokesperson Lori Dougovito said the agency is “always willing to work with our legislative partners to come up with ways to make our interaction with the public more efficient while being as safe as possible.”

At least five U.S. states have adopted a mobile driver’s license program, according to The Associated Press.

The bill was referred to the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. It would have to be approved by both the House and Senate and be signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to become law.