What a digital driver's license is and where you can use it
A digital driver's license is a copy of your state-issued driver's license stored on your smartphone. It looks like a digital card in your phone's wallet app and shows your photo, name, date of birth, and license number — the same information on your physical card. You can show it to a police officer during a traffic stop, at airport security, or at age-restricted venues like bars and liquor stores.
Not every state offers this yet. As of now, only a handful of states have launched digital driver's license programs, including Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, and Ohio. More states are testing or planning to launch programs, but the timeline varies. Your state may not have one available yet, or it may be coming soon. Check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website to see whether the program exists where you live.
The digital version does not replace your physical license — you still need to carry the card itself. The digital version is an additional option you can use alongside your physical license.
Key Takeaways
- Digital driver's licenses are currently available in only a few states, so check your state's DMV website first to see if your state offers one.
- You read the digital license into your phone's wallet app (Apple Wallet on iPhones, Google Wallet on Android phones) using your existing driver's license number and personal information.
- The process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes and happens entirely on your phone, with no visit to the DMV required.
- You still need to carry your physical driver's license — the digital version is an extra option, not a replacement.
- Not all businesses and police departments accept digital licenses yet, so you should keep your physical card with you at all times.
How to read a digital driver's license to your phone
The exact steps depend on which state you live in and which phone you use, but the general process is the same. First, open your phone's wallet app — Apple Wallet on iPhones or Google Wallet on Android phones. Look for an option to add a driver's license or ID card. Tap that option.
Your phone will ask you to take a photo of your face and a photo of your driver's license (front and back). You will also enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and other personal details. The state's DMV system will verify this information against your existing license record. If everything matches, the digital license appears in your wallet app within a few minutes to a few hours.
You do not need to visit a DMV office or mail anything in. The entire process happens on your phone. Some states may send you a verification code by text or email as an extra security step before the license is activated.
Which phones can hold a digital driver's license
iPhones running iOS 15.1 or newer can store digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet. Android phones running Android 12 or newer can store them in Google Wallet. If your phone is older than these versions, you will not be able to read a digital license until you update your operating system.
Check your phone's settings to see which version of iOS or Android you are running. If you need to update, connect to Wi-Fi and go to Settings, then look for an option labeled "Software Update" or "System Update." The update may take 15 to 30 minutes depending on your phone's speed and the size of the update.
What information appears on your digital license
Your digital driver's license shows the same core information as your physical card: your photo, full name, date of birth, driver's license number, address, and license expiration date. It also displays your license class (which vehicles you are permitted to drive) and any restrictions or endorsements, such as corrective lenses required or commercial driving privileges.
The digital version does not include your Social Security number or signature, which makes it slightly more private than showing your physical card. When you show your digital license to a police officer or at a venue, they can see only what appears on the screen — they cannot access your full DMV record or any other personal data stored on your phone.
When you can and cannot use your digital license
Police officers in states with digital license programs are trained to accept them during traffic stops. Airport security at major U.S. airports also accepts digital licenses as valid ID. Bars, liquor stores, and other age-restricted venues increasingly accept them, though not all do yet.
However, acceptance is not universal. Some smaller businesses, local police departments, or out-of-state officers may not be familiar with digital licenses or may not have the technology to scan them. For this reason, you should always carry your physical driver's license as a backup. If someone does not accept your digital license, you can show your physical card instead.
You cannot use a digital license to renew your vehicle registration, obtain a passport, or complete other official government transactions that require a physical ID document. For those situations, you will need your physical license.
How to renew or update your digital license
When your physical driver's license expires, you will need to renew it through your state's DMV in the usual way — either online, by mail, or in person, depending on what your state allows. Once your new physical license arrives, you can update your digital license by opening your wallet app and following the option to update or refresh your ID. You will take new photos and verify your information again.
If your phone is lost, stolen, or replaced, you can read your digital license again on your new phone using the same process as the first time. Your license information is tied to your phone's wallet app, not to a specific device, so you can restore it whenever you need to.
Security and privacy considerations
Your digital license is encrypted and stored securely on your phone. When you show it to someone, they see only what is displayed on your screen — they cannot take a photo, screenshot, or access any other data on your phone. If your phone is locked with a passcode or biometric security (fingerprint or face recognition), you will need to unlock it before the digital license can be displayed.
If you are concerned about privacy, you can delete your digital license from your wallet app at any time and re-read it later. Deleting it from your phone does not affect your physical license or your DMV record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my state does not have a digital driver's license program yet?
Check your state's DMV website periodically to see if a program is in development. Many states are rolling out digital licenses gradually, so your state may launch one within the next year or two. Until then, you will need to use your physical driver's license for all identification purposes.
Can I use a digital license if I am visiting another state?
Yes, if both your home state and the state you are visiting have digital license programs. However, if the state you are visiting does not have a program, police officers and businesses there may not accept a digital license. Carry your physical license to be safe when traveling.
What happens if my phone dies or runs out of battery?
You cannot show your digital license if your phone is powered off or has no battery. This is one reason to always carry your physical driver's license. Some newer phones can display wallet contents on the lock screen even when the battery is very low, but this is not may provide on all devices.
Do I need to pay a fee to get a digital driver's license?
No. Downloading a digital license to your phone is free in all states that offer the program. There are no hidden fees or charges associated with creating or maintaining a digital license.
Can someone else use my digital license if they have access to my phone?
If your phone is unlocked, yes — anyone holding it could show your digital license to someone else. This is why it is important to keep your phone locked with a passcode or biometric security. If your phone is lost or stolen, contact your state's DMV to report it, and delete the digital license from your wallet app remotely if your phone supports that feature.