What a digital driver's license actually is, and where it works

A digital driver's license is a copy of your driver's license stored on your smartphone, usually through your state's official app or through Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. It is not the same as your physical card, and it does not work everywhere the physical card does. Right now, only a handful of states have rolled out digital licenses at all, and even in those states, many businesses and government offices still require the physical card.

The states currently offering digital driver's licenses include Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah. Each state's system works slightly differently, and acceptance varies widely even within a state. A police officer might accept it during a traffic stop in one jurisdiction but not in another. A bar might scan it, but your bank probably will not.

The main reason digital licenses exist is to reduce the need to hand over your physical card to strangers. When you show a digital license on your phone, the person checking it can see your age, name, and photo without holding onto your card or taking it to a back room. That is the real advantage — not convenience, but control over your own document.

Key Takeaways

  • Digital driver's licenses are available in only about a dozen states, and each state controls which businesses and agencies must accept them.
  • Police officers, banks, and federal agencies like TSA do not yet accept digital licenses in most places, even in states where they exist.
  • You still need to carry your physical driver's license because digital licenses are not accepted everywhere and your phone could die or be lost.
  • If your state offers a digital license, you create it through your state's DMV app or through Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, depending on your state's system.

Which states have digital driver's licenses right now

Arizona was the first state to launch a digital driver's license through Apple Wallet in 2021. Since then, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah have added their own versions. A few other states are testing them or have announced plans to roll them out, but the list above represents the states where you can actually get one today.

Each state manages its own system. Arizona and Colorado use Apple Wallet. Delaware, Georgia, and Maryland use their own state apps. Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio use Apple Wallet. The exact features and acceptance rules differ by state. Before you assume your state has one, check your state's DMV website or search for "[your state] digital driver's license" to see whether it is available where you live.

Where digital licenses are actually accepted

Acceptance is the real limitation. In states that have digital licenses, they are typically accepted at retail stores for age verification (buying alcohol or tobacco), at some restaurants and bars, and at some private businesses. Some police departments have begun accepting them during traffic stops, but this is not standard, and you should not count on it.

Digital licenses are not accepted by TSA at airport security, by banks for opening accounts, by the federal government for any official purpose, or by most government agencies. If you need to prove your identity to a government office, you will need your physical card. If you are flying, bring your physical license. If you are opening a bank account or explore for credit, bring your physical license. The digital version is a supplement, not a replacement.

How to set up a digital driver's license in your state

The process depends on which state you live in and which system your state uses. If your state uses Apple Wallet, open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the plus sign, select "Driver's License or State ID," and follow the prompts. You will need to verify your identity, usually by taking a photo of yourself and your physical license. The process takes a few minutes.

If your state uses its own app, go to your state's DMV website and read the official app. Look for a section labeled "Digital ID" or "Mobile License" and follow the steps to create your digital license. You will again need to verify your identity with a photo and your physical card. Some states charge a small fee (usually a few dollars), while others offer it for free.

Google Wallet is beginning to support digital licenses in some states, but the rollout is slower than Apple Wallet. Check your state's DMV website to see which platforms your state supports before you try to set one up.

What happens if your phone dies or you lose it

If your phone dies, you cannot show your digital license. If your phone is lost or stolen, your digital license goes with it. This is why you must always carry your physical driver's license as a backup. A digital license is convenient when your phone is charged and with you, but it is not reliable enough to be your only form of ID.

If your phone is stolen and you are worried about someone using your digital license, contact your state's DMV when ready. You can usually deactivate your digital license through the app or by calling the DMV. The person with your phone cannot use your digital license without unlocking your phone first, so the security risk is lower than it would be with a physical card, but it is still worth reporting.

Digital licenses and real ID compliance

A digital driver's license is not the same as a Real ID-compliant driver's license. Real ID is a federal standard that applies to physical cards. Your physical driver's license may or may not be Real ID-compliant depending on when you got it and what your state requires. A digital license does not replace your need for a Real ID-compliant physical card if you plan to fly domestically after the federal important date (which has been extended multiple times and currently stands in 2025).

Check your physical driver's license for a small star or marking in the upper right corner. If it has one, your card is Real ID-compliant. If it does not, you will need to renew it at your state's DMV to get a Real ID-compliant card. Your digital license, even if your state offers one, does not count toward this requirement.

Privacy and security of digital licenses

Digital licenses are encrypted and stored on your phone. When you show your digital license to someone, they see only the information you choose to display — usually your name, photo, and date of birth. They cannot see your address, Social Security number, or other sensitive information unless you allow it. This is actually more private than handing over your physical card, where all that information is visible.

The biggest security risk is losing your phone or having it stolen. If that happens, someone could potentially unlock your phone and access your digital license. To reduce this risk, use a strong passcode or biometric lock on your phone, and enable remote wipe features so you can erase your phone if it is lost. Most phones have this built in — iPhone has Find My iPhone, and Android has Find My Mobile or Google Find My Device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a digital driver's license at the airport?

No. TSA does not accept digital driver's licenses at airport security checkpoints. You must bring your physical, Real ID-compliant driver's license or passport. Even in states where digital licenses exist, they are not recognized by federal agencies.

What if my state does not have a digital driver's license yet?

You cannot get one. Only the states listed above currently offer them. If your state is not on that list, check your state's DMV website to see if they have announced plans to launch one in the future. Until then, you will need to use your physical card.

Is a digital driver's license legally the same as a physical one?

No. A digital license is only valid where the business or agency has agreed to accept it. Your physical license is the official document. The digital version is a convenience tool that works in some places but not others. Always carry your physical license.

Can I delete my digital license and get it back later?

Yes. You can remove your digital license from your phone at any time and recreate it later by going through the setup process again. There is no penalty for deleting it. If you are concerned about security, you can delete it and recreate it whenever you need it.

What if someone asks to see my digital license and I do not have my phone?

Show them your physical license instead. A digital license is optional and supplemental. Your physical driver's license is always your primary form of ID and is accepted everywhere.