What happens when you add your driver's license to Apple Wallet
When you add your driver's license to Apple Wallet, you store a digital copy on your iPhone or iPad that you can show to police officers, TSA agents at airport security, or other officials who ask for ID. You don't hand over your phone — instead, you unlock it, open Wallet, tap your license, and hold the screen toward the person checking it. Your actual plastic license stays in your wallet.
Apple Wallet stores the license information on your device and encrypts it. The person viewing your ID sees only what's on the front of your license — your photo, name, date of birth, and license number. They cannot access other information stored on your phone, and Apple does not receive a copy of your license.
Not every state offers this feature yet. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming allow digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add the option over time.
Key Takeaways
- Your state must support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet — check your state's DMV website to confirm yours does.
- You need an iPhone XS or later, or an iPad Pro, Air, or mini from 2017 or later, running the current version of iOS or iPadOS.
- The process takes about 10 minutes and requires your driver's license number, Social Security number, and a photo taken with your phone's camera.
- You can show your digital license to police and TSA, but some situations (like renewing your license) still require your physical card.
Check whether your state supports digital licenses
Before you start, confirm that your state's DMV offers this feature. Visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website and search for "digital driver's license" or "Apple Wallet." The DMV page will tell you whether the program is available and whether it's currently open to new users.
Some states launched the feature to all residents at once. Others rolled it out gradually — first to people renewing their licenses, then to everyone. If your state supports it but the DMV website says the program is temporarily closed, check back in a few weeks. Capacity limits are common and programs reopen regularly.
Verify your device meets the requirements
Apple Wallet works with iPhone XS and newer models. If you have an iPhone X, iPhone 8, or older, you cannot add a driver's license. iPad users need an iPad Pro (2nd generation or later), iPad Air (3rd generation or later), or iPad mini (5th generation or later).
Your device must also run iOS 15.1 or later (for iPhone) or iPadOS 15.1 or later (for iPad). Check your device's current version by opening Settings, tapping General, then About. If your device is older than the required version, you may be able to update it — tap Settings, then General, then Software Update.
Start the process in the Wallet app
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Scroll down and tap "Driver's License or State ID." Select your state from the list. Tap "Continue."
The app will ask you to agree to Apple's terms and your state's terms. Read through both, then tap "Agree" at the bottom. You'll then see a screen that says "Verify Your Identity" — this is where the real process begins.
Provide your information and take a photo
The app will ask for your driver's license number, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number. Enter these exactly as they appear on your license and in your Social Security records. Mistakes here will cause the verification to fail.
Next, the app will ask you to take a photo of yourself. Use good lighting, face the camera directly, and make sure your face fills most of the frame. The app will guide you through this — follow the on-screen prompts. You'll take one photo, and the app will confirm it's clear enough to use.
After the photo, the app will ask you to scan your driver's license. Place your license flat on a white surface, position your phone's camera above it, and tap the shutter button when the app tells you to. The app will read your license information automatically.
Complete identity verification and wait for approval
After you submit your photo and license scan, the app will verify your identity using the information you provided. This usually takes a few seconds to a few minutes. If verification succeeds, your license will be added to Wallet when ready, and you can start using it right away.
If verification fails, the app will tell you why — usually because information didn't match your records or your photo was unclear. You can try again. If you keep getting rejected, contact your state's DMV directly. They can tell you whether there's a mismatch in their records or whether you need to verify in person at a DMV office.
Once your digital license is in Wallet, it stays there. You don't need to renew it separately when you renew your physical license — your digital license updates automatically when your state's DMV processes your renewal.
How to show your digital license
When a police officer, TSA agent, or other official asks for your ID, unlock your phone and open Wallet. Tap your driver's license. The license will display on your screen. Hold your phone toward the person checking it — they can read the information without touching your device.
If you're at airport security, TSA agents have special iPad readers that can scan your digital license. The reader will prompt you to hold your phone near it, and it will read your information automatically. This is faster than scanning a physical card.
If your phone dies or you forget it, you still have your physical license. Keep carrying your plastic card as a backup. Some situations — like explore for a new license, updating your address, or proving residency for certain purposes — still require your physical card, not the digital version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my digital license if my phone is locked?
No. You must unlock your phone and open Wallet to display your license. This is a security feature — it prevents someone who steals your phone from using your ID. If your phone is out of battery, you cannot show your digital license, which is why you should keep your physical card with you.
What if I get a new phone?
When you set up a new iPhone or iPad, your digital license transfers automatically if you sign in with the same Apple ID. If you switch to a different device type (like from iPhone to Android), you'll need to remove your license from Apple Wallet and add it through your new device's system. Check whether your new device supports digital licenses first.
Can I add my state ID instead of my driver's license?
Yes, if your state offers it. Some states support both driver's licenses and state ID cards in Wallet. When you tap the plus sign in Wallet and select your state, you'll see which options are available. The process is the same for both.
Will police accept my digital license?
Yes. Police in states that support digital licenses are trained to accept them. However, some officers may be unfamiliar with the feature. If an officer seems confused, explain that your state's DMV allows digital licenses in Apple Wallet and offer to show them your physical license as well. You're not required to use the digital version if you prefer to show your plastic card.
What happens if I delete my license from Wallet by mistake?
You can add it back by following the same process — open Wallet, tap the plus sign, select your state, and verify your identity again. The verification should be faster the second time because your state's records already have your information on file.