MACON, Ga. — Georgians may soon have a new way to prove their age when buying alcohol or tobacco: their smartphone.

Digital driver’s licenses, also known as mobile driver’s licenses or mDLs, can now be used at stores that choose to accept them.

A simple question at the checkout “Can I see your ID?” could soon be answered with a tap of a phone instead of a physical card.

Stores like Topline Spirits in Macon still rely on traditional ID scanning.

Scanning cards is routine, but soon the swipe may give way to a tap. Georgia now allows mDLs to verify age at participating stores for both alcohol and tobacco, but acceptance is optional. Retailers must choose to participate and purchase the scanning device.

Nilesh Patel, owner of Topline Spirits, has heard about digital IDs but isn’t convin

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