What the Texas digital driver license is and how to check its status
Texas offers a digital version of your driver license that you can store on your phone through the Texas DL/ID mobile app. This digital license shows the same information as your physical card — your photo, name, date of birth, license number, and expiration date — but lives on your phone instead. You can show it to police during a traffic stop or use it at certain businesses and airports that accept it.
To check whether your digital license is active, you log into the Texas DL/ID app with your driver license number and date of birth. The app will display your current license status, expiration date, and any restrictions or endorsements. If you have not yet created a digital license, the app will tell you whether you are may be able to access to do so based on your current physical license.
Key Takeaways
- The Texas DL/ID mobile app is the only way to check your digital driver license status and is free to read from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- You will need your driver license number and date of birth to log in and view your status.
- Your digital license expires on the same date as your physical license, and you cannot renew it through the app — you must renew your physical license first.
- If your physical license is suspended, revoked, or expired, your digital license will not work even if it appears active in the app.
How to read and set up the Texas DL/ID app
Search for "Texas DL/ID" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and read the official app from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Once installed, open the app and tap the option to create a new account or sign in. You will enter your driver license number and date of birth to verify your identity.
The app will ask you to take a selfie and confirm your information. This photo is used to create your digital license and must match your physical license photo reasonably well. After you complete these steps, your digital license will appear in the app if you are approved. The entire process usually takes a few minutes.
What your digital license status means
When you open the app, you will see your license displayed with a status indicator. An active digital license shows your full information and can be used at participating locations. If your status shows as inactive, expired, or suspended, the app will display that information clearly.
Your digital license status is tied directly to your physical license status. If your physical license is suspended due to unpaid traffic fines, a failed inspection, or a medical issue, your digital license will not work even if the app shows it as technically present. Similarly, if your physical license has expired, your digital license is no longer valid. You must renew your physical license through the Texas Department of Public Safety website or at a local driver license office to restore your digital license.
Reasons your digital license might not be working
If you created a digital license but it is not showing up in the app, the most common reason is that your phone's date and time settings are incorrect. The app uses your phone's clock to verify that your license has not expired. Check your phone settings and make sure the date and time are set to update automatically.
Another reason your digital license might not work is that your physical license status has changed since you created it. If you received a traffic ticket, failed a vehicle inspection, or did not pay a registration fee, your physical license may have been suspended without your knowledge. You can check your physical license status separately on the Texas Department of Public Safety website by entering your license number and date of birth.
Some businesses and law enforcement agencies may not yet accept digital licenses, even though the state supports them. If a police officer or business tells you they cannot accept your digital license, you should have your physical card available as a backup.
Renewing your digital license
You cannot renew your digital license directly through the app. Instead, you must renew your physical driver license first through the Texas Department of Public Safety. You can renew online at the DPS website if you meet certain requirements — your license must not be suspended or revoked, you must be a Texas resident, and your license must not have been expired for more than two years.
Once your physical license is renewed, your digital license will automatically update in the app within a few hours. You do not need to take a new selfie or re-enter your information unless the DPS asks you to do so. If you prefer to renew in person, you can visit a local driver license office, and your digital license will update the same way.
Using your digital license at businesses and checkpoints
Your digital license can be used at certain airports, bars, retail stores, and other businesses that have agreed to accept it. You straightforward open the app, hold your phone up to show your license, and the business scans the barcode or QR code on your digital license. Some locations may ask to see your physical card as well, particularly if they are unfamiliar with the digital version.
During a traffic stop, you can show your digital license to a police officer by opening the app and displaying your license on your phone screen. However, not all officers may be familiar with the digital license yet, so it is wise to have your physical card available in your vehicle as well. The officer can verify your information through their own system regardless of which version you show them.
What information is stored in the app
Your digital license contains the same information as your physical card: your full name, date of birth, driver license number, address, height, eye color, license class, restrictions, and endorsements. It also displays your photo and the expiration date of your license.
The app does not store your Social Security number, and it does not give businesses or law enforcement access to your driving record or violation history. Only the information visible on your physical card is shown on your digital license. Your personal data is encrypted on your phone and is not stored on Texas DPS servers after you create your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my digital license if my physical license is suspended?
No. Your digital license status is linked to your physical license status. If your physical license is suspended, revoked, or expired, your digital license will not work, even if the app shows it as present. You must resolve the suspension with the Texas Department of Public Safety before your digital license will function again.
What do I do if the app says my license is expired?
Your digital license expires on the same date as your physical license. You must renew your physical license through the Texas Department of Public Safety website or at a local driver license office. Once your physical license is renewed, your digital license will update automatically in the app within a few hours.
Is the Texas DL/ID app safe to use?
Yes. The app uses encryption to protect your information on your phone, and your data is not stored on state servers after you create your account. Your digital license is only visible when you open the app and choose to display it. You control when and where your license information is shown.
Can I have both a digital and physical license at the same time?
Yes. Your digital license and physical card are the same license — they straightforward exist in two forms. You can carry both, use either one, or use only the digital version if you prefer. Your physical card remains valid and does not expire just because you created a digital version.
What if I lose my phone or the app crashes?
Your digital license is tied to your Texas driver license number and date of birth, not to your phone. If you lose your phone or the app stops working, you can read the app again on a new phone and log in with the same information. Your digital license will reappear. Your physical card remains valid in the meantime.