Yes, you can store your driver's license in Apple Wallet on supported iPhones and Apple Watches
Apple Wallet now holds your driver's license or state ID as a digital document, not just a photo or screenshot. When you add your license to Wallet, it appears as a card you can present at certain locations — TSA checkpoints at airports, for example — by holding your phone or watch near a reader. The license itself stays with your state's DMV; Apple stores an encrypted copy on your device.
Not every state offers this yet, and not every business or agency accepts it. The feature rolled out gradually starting in 2021, beginning with Arizona and Delaware. As of now, more than 20 states have made digital licenses available through Apple Wallet, though the list continues to grow. Even if your state supports it, you will still need your physical license for many situations — rental car counters, police traffic stops, and most retail locations do not accept the digital version.
Key Takeaways
- Your state must support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet for you to add one; check your state's DMV website to see if yours does.
- TSA airport security and some state police checkpoints accept digital licenses, but most businesses and agencies still require the physical card.
- The process involves verifying your identity with your state's DMV through the Wallet app, which usually takes a few minutes but may require a follow-up by mail.
- Your digital license is encrypted on your device and does not require internet or cellular service to display at a reader.
- You keep your physical license even after adding a digital copy to Wallet.
Which states currently support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet
The following states have made digital driver's licenses available through Apple Wallet: Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Vermont. Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming have announced plans to add the feature but have not yet launched it.
Your state's DMV website will have the most current information about whether digital licenses are available. If your state does not yet support the feature, you cannot add your license to Wallet, even if you have a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch. The rollout depends on each state's technical infrastructure and security requirements, so timing varies widely.
How to add your driver's license to Apple Wallet
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the plus sign in the upper right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. The app will ask you to choose your state and then guide you through identity verification, which typically involves taking a photo of your license and a selfie. Your phone will send these images to your state's DMV for verification.
The verification process usually completes within a few minutes, and your digital license appears in Wallet when ready. Some states may send you a confirmation by mail to your address on file. Until you receive and confirm that mail, your digital license may have limited use — for example, TSA might not accept it yet. Once confirmed, you can present it at any reader that accepts digital IDs.
If verification fails, the app will tell you why and may ask you to try again or contact your state's DMV directly. Common reasons for failure include a photo that is too blurry, a license that is expired, or an address mismatch between your phone's settings and your DMV record.
Where you can actually use your digital driver's license
TSA accepts digital driver's licenses at airport security checkpoints in states that support them. You hold your iPhone or Apple Watch up to the TSA reader, and the agent can verify your identity without touching your phone. Some state police departments also accept digital licenses during traffic stops, though this varies by state and individual officer discretion.
Most other places do not accept digital licenses yet. Rental car companies, bars, retail stores, banks, and police in states without formal acceptance policies will ask for your physical card. Even in states where digital licenses are legal, many businesses have not updated their systems or trained staff to accept them. You should always carry your physical license as your primary form of ID.
What happens to your physical license after you add it to Wallet
Your physical driver's license remains valid and necessary. Adding a digital copy to Wallet does not replace it, suspend it, or change its status with your state's DMV. You still need to renew it on schedule, and you must carry it with you for situations where a digital license is not accepted — which is most situations right now.
If your physical license is lost, stolen, or expires, you will need to replace it through your state's DMV in the usual way. Your digital license will stop working once your physical license expires, so the two stay in sync. If you get a new physical license with a different number, you will need to add the new license to Wallet and remove the old one.
Security and privacy: how Apple protects your digital license
Your digital license is encrypted on your device using the same security technology that protects your payment cards in Wallet. The data does not leave your phone unless you actively present it to a reader. Apple does not store a copy of your license on its servers, and your state's DMV cannot access your phone to view it remotely.
When you present your license to a reader, the reader sees only the information it needs — for example, TSA sees your name, date of birth, and license number, but not your address or Social Security number. You have the option to decline sharing your license at any time; straightforward do not hold your phone up to the reader. If your phone is locked, you must unlock it or use Face ID or Touch ID before the license can be read.
What to do if your state does not yet support digital licenses
Check your state's DMV website periodically to see if digital licenses have been added. Many states have announced timelines but have not yet launched the feature. You can also contact your state's DMV directly to ask when digital licenses will be available and whether you can sign up for early notification.
In the meantime, continue carrying your physical license as usual. Taking a screenshot of your license and storing it in Wallet is not the same as a digital license — screenshots are not encrypted and are not accepted by TSA or other official readers. Stick with your physical card until your state launches its official digital license program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my digital license if my phone dies or runs out of battery?
No. Your digital license requires your phone to be powered on and unlocked to display. If your battery is dead, you cannot show your license to a reader. This is one reason to always carry your physical license with you.
What if I lose my phone after adding my license to Wallet?
Your digital license is tied to your specific device. If you lose your phone, you can remove the license from that device through your state's DMV website or app, then add it to a new phone once you get one. Your physical license remains valid and unaffected.
Can I add my license to Apple Wallet if my state supports it but my phone is too old?
Digital driver's licenses require iPhone XS or later, or Apple Watch Series 4 or later. If your device is older, you cannot add a digital license, even if your state supports the feature. You will need to upgrade your phone or watch to use this feature.
Do I need internet or cellular service to show my digital license at a reader?
No. Once your license is added to Wallet, it is stored locally on your device. You do not need an internet connection or cellular service to display it at a reader. The reader communicates directly with your phone using NFC (near-field communication) technology.
Will police accept my digital license during a traffic stop?
It depends on your state and the individual officer. Some states have formally authorized police to accept digital licenses, while others have not. Even in states that allow it, not all officers may be trained to use the technology. Your physical license is always the safest option during a traffic stop.