How to Add Your Driver's License to Apple Wallet

What Apple Wallet can and cannot do with your driver's license

You can store a digital copy of your driver's license in Apple Wallet on iPhones and iPads running iOS 15.1 or later, but this is not the same as having your physical license. The digital version is a separate document that some police officers, TSA agents, and businesses may accept during certain interactions — but you still need to carry your physical license because many situations legally require the original.

Apple Wallet stores what's called a mobile driver's license (mDL), which is encrypted on your device and does not sync to iCloud or back up to your computer. Only you can access it using Face ID or Touch ID. When you show it to someone, they scan a code on your phone's screen rather than taking the card itself.

Not every state offers this feature yet. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming allow you to add your license to Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add support over time, but the rollout has been slower than originally planned.

Key Takeaways

You can add your driver's license to Apple Wallet only if your state currently supports mobile driver's licenses, and you will need to verify your identity with your state's DMV.
The digital license in Apple Wallet is encrypted on your phone and requires Face ID or Touch ID to display, but it does not replace your physical license for most legal purposes.
Police officers, TSA agents at airport security, and some businesses can scan your mobile license, but you should always carry your physical license because not all situations accept the digital version.
Adding your license takes about 10 to 15 minutes and requires your phone's camera, your state ID number, and a way to verify your identity through your state's DMV system.

Which states let you add your license to Apple Wallet

Your state must have launched a mobile driver's license program and partnered with Apple for you to store your license in Wallet. The states currently offering this are Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. If your state is not on this list, you cannot add your license to Apple Wallet yet, though your state may announce support in the future.

You can check whether your state supports mobile licenses by opening Apple Wallet, tapping the plus sign, and looking for "Driver's License or State ID" as an option. If it does not appear, your state has not launched the program. Some states have announced plans to launch but have not yet made it available to residents.

How to add your driver's license to Apple Wallet

Open Apple Wallet on your iPhone or iPad and tap the plus sign in the upper right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. You will be asked which state issued your license — choose your state from the list.

Next, you will need to take a photo of the front and back of your physical driver's license using your phone's camera. The app will guide you through positioning the card so it captures clearly. After that, you will take a selfie so Apple can verify that you are the person on the license.

Your state's DMV system will then ask you to verify your identity. This usually means answering security questions based on your DMV records — questions like your address, the date you renewed your license, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Once you pass this verification, your mobile license will appear in Apple Wallet within a few minutes.

The entire process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. You do not need to visit a DMV office or mail anything in. Your phone must have a working camera and a stable internet connection throughout the process.

When you can use your mobile driver's license

TSA agents at airport security checkpoints can scan your mobile license as an alternative to your physical card. You straightforward hold your phone up to their scanner, and they see the same information they would from a physical license. This works at most major U.S. airports, though some smaller regional airports may not yet have the equipment.

Some police officers can scan your mobile license during traffic stops, though this varies by department and state. Not all officers have the equipment or training yet, so you should always have your physical license available. If an officer asks for your license and you only have the mobile version, show them both — the physical card and the digital one in your Wallet.

A growing number of businesses — including some bars, retailers, and entertainment venues — can scan your mobile license to verify your age or identity. However, many still only accept physical cards. When in doubt, ask whether they can scan a digital license before you hand over your phone.

You cannot use your mobile license to renew your registration, explore for a loan, open a bank account, or complete most government transactions. These situations require your physical license. The mobile version is meant to supplement your physical card in specific, limited situations, not replace it.

Security and privacy with your mobile license

Your mobile license is encrypted on your phone and does not leave your device unless you deliberately show it to someone. When someone scans your license, they see only the information you choose to share — you control what data appears on the screen before they scan it. You can also set it so that Face ID or Touch ID is required every time someone wants to scan your license, adding an extra layer of security.

If your phone is lost or stolen, your mobile license is protected by your phone's lock screen. A thief cannot access Wallet without unlocking your phone first. You can also use Find My iPhone to remotely erase your device, which will delete the mobile license along with everything else on the phone.

Apple does not store a copy of your license on its servers. The license lives only on your device. Your state's DMV has a record that you added your license to Apple Wallet, but they do not have access to the encrypted file on your phone.

What to do if your license expires or you move states

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 your state's process. Once you have your new physical license, you can add it to Apple Wallet by repeating the process described above. Your old mobile license will remain in your Wallet until you manually delete it.

If you move to a state that does not support mobile driver's licenses, you can keep the digital version of your old license in your Wallet for reference, but you will not be able to add your new state's license. Once you move to a state that does support the feature, you can add your new license following the same steps.

If you move to a different state that does support mobile licenses, you can add your new state's license to Apple Wallet once you receive your new physical license. You do not have to delete your old state's license first, though you may want to for clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need to carry my physical driver's license if I have it in Apple Wallet?

Yes. Your physical license is still required for most situations. The mobile version works at TSA checkpoints and with some police officers and businesses, but many places only accept the physical card. You should always carry both.

What happens if my phone dies or runs out of battery?

You cannot show your mobile license if your phone is powered off. This is another reason to always carry your physical license. If you are stopped by police or need to show ID and your phone is dead, your physical license is your only option.

Can someone else use my mobile license if they have access to my phone?

Not easily. Your mobile license requires Face ID or Touch ID to display, so someone would need to unlock your phone and then authenticate again to show the license. You can also turn on an extra security setting that requires authentication every single time someone scans it.

Is my information safe if I show my mobile license to a business?

Your information is safer with a mobile license than a physical one in some ways. You control what data appears on the screen before they scan it — you can hide your address or other details if you choose. The business scans a code, not a magnetic stripe, so they cannot copy your full information the way they might with a physical card.

What if my state launches mobile driver's licenses after I already have a physical one?

Once your state launches the feature, you can add your current license to Apple Wallet at any time by following the steps above. You do not need to wait for your license to expire or renew. The process takes about 15 minutes and requires only your phone and your physical license.

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.