How to Add Your Driver's License to Your iPhone Wallet

What Adding Your License to iPhone Actually Does

Adding your driver's license to your iPhone's Wallet app lets you show a digital copy of your license on your phone's screen instead of carrying the physical card. When you hold your phone up to a reader — at airport security, a police stop, or a bar entrance — the license displays on your lock screen without you having to unlock your phone first. This is not the same as getting a new license or renewing an expired one. You still need a valid physical license, and you are straightforward creating a digital version of it that lives on your phone.

This feature works only on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and newer models. If you have an older iPhone, your phone cannot store a digital license no matter what you do. The feature also requires your state to support digital licenses through Apple's system — not all states have rolled this out yet, and the list changes throughout the year.

Key Takeaways

You can only add a digital license to iPhone 15 Pro or newer, and only if your state supports the feature through Apple Wallet.
You will need your physical driver's license, a valid passport or state ID, and your phone's camera to scan documents during setup.
The process takes about 10 minutes and involves photographing your license front and back, then taking a selfie for identity verification.
Your digital license appears on your lock screen when you need it, but you must still carry your physical license as a backup.

Check Whether Your State Supports Digital Licenses

Before you start, confirm that your state has rolled out this feature. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner, and look for "Driver's License or State ID" as an option. If you do not see it, your state is not yet part of the program. You can also check Apple's official support page for the current list of supported states, which includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and others — the list grows regularly.

If your state is not listed, you cannot add a digital license to your phone right now. Check back in a few months, as more states continue to join the program. In the meantime, you will need to carry your physical license.

Gather Your Documents Before You Start

Have your physical driver's license in front of you before you open the Wallet app. You will also need a second form of ID — either a valid U.S. passport, a state ID card, or a passport card. Keep both documents within arm's reach so you can photograph them during the setup process. Make sure your phone has good lighting and a clear camera lens, since the app will scan both sides of your license and take a photo of your face.

If your license is damaged, expired, or has a photo that no longer looks like you, consider renewing your physical license through your state's DMV before adding it to your phone. The digital version will match whatever is on your physical card, so mismatches can cause problems at security checkpoints or police stops.

Open Wallet and Start the Setup Process

Unlock your iPhone and open the Wallet app — it is the one that looks like a leather wallet. Tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Scroll down until you see "Driver's License or State ID" and tap it. The app will ask you to confirm your state and explain what information you are about to share. Read through this screen, then tap "Continue."

The app will next ask you to choose which ID you want to add — your driver's license or a state ID card. Select the one you have in front of you. You will then see a screen explaining that you are about to photograph your ID and take a selfie. Tap "Continue" to move forward.

Photograph Your License and Verify Your Identity

The app will open your camera and guide you to photograph the front of your driver's license. Hold your phone steady, make sure the entire license is visible in the frame, and tap the button to capture the photo. The app will then ask you to photograph the back of your license. Do the same thing — center it in the frame and tap to capture.

Next, the app will ask you to take a selfie. Follow the on-screen prompts, which usually ask you to look straight at the camera, then move your head slightly to the left and right. This helps the system verify that you are the person on the license. Once you have taken the selfie, the app will process your photos and send them to your state's DMV for verification. This verification step typically takes a few minutes, though it can take up to 24 hours in some cases.

Wait for Verification and Review Your Digital License

After you submit your photos, the Wallet app will show a status screen saying your license is being verified. You can close the app and use your phone normally while this happens. You will receive a notification when verification is complete. In most cases, this takes between 5 and 15 minutes, but it can take longer if the DMV system is busy.

Once verification is done, your digital license will appear in your Wallet app. You can tap it to see how it will look when you display it on your lock screen. To show your license to someone, straightforward hold your phone up to their reader or ask them to look at your lock screen — you do not need to unlock your phone or open any app. The license will display automatically.

Keep Your Physical License With You

Even though you now have a digital license on your phone, you must still carry your physical driver's license. Police officers, airport security, and other officials may ask to see the physical card, and your phone could run out of battery or malfunction. Some places also do not yet accept digital licenses, so having the physical card is your backup. Treat the digital version as a convenience, not a replacement.

If your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can remove your digital license from Wallet by opening the app, tapping and holding the license, and selecting "Remove." You can add it back to a new phone using the same process once you have a working device.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my state is not on the supported list?

Your state has not yet rolled out digital licenses through Apple. Check back in a few months, as more states are joining the program regularly. Until then, you will need to carry your physical license. You can see the current list on Apple's support website.

Can I add my license if my phone is older than iPhone 15 Pro?

No. The Wallet app on older iPhones does not support digital licenses. You would need to upgrade to an iPhone 15 Pro or newer model to use this feature. Older phones straightforward do not have the hardware required to store and display licenses securely.

What happens if my license expires?

Your digital license will expire at the same time as your physical license. When you renew your physical license at the DMV, you can add the new one to your Wallet using the same process. You will need to remove the old expired license and photograph your new one.

Do I still need to carry my physical license?

Yes. Always carry your physical license as a backup. Not all locations accept digital licenses yet, your phone could lose battery or break, and some officials may specifically request the physical card. The digital version is a convenience, not a replacement.

Is my information find when I add my license to Wallet?

Apple encrypts your license information and stores it on your phone's find chip. Your photos are sent to your state's DMV for verification but are not stored on Apple's servers. However, you should still protect your phone with a strong passcode, since anyone who unlocks it could see your license on the lock screen.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.