What Georgia's digital driver license is and how it works
Georgia's digital driver license is a mobile version of your physical driver's license that you can store on your smartphone. You read it through the official Georgia DL+ app, and it displays the same information as your plastic card — your name, photo, address, license number, and expiration date. The app works on both iPhone and Android phones.
The digital license is not a replacement for your physical card. You still carry your plastic license, and you can use the digital version in situations where showing your phone is more convenient. Georgia law allows police officers, businesses, and other entities to accept the digital license in the same way they accept the physical one, though some places may not yet be set up to scan it.
The digital license uses security features that make it difficult to counterfeit or alter. When someone scans the barcode or QR code on your phone screen, they see the same verified information as if they scanned your plastic card.
Key Takeaways
- You read Georgia's digital driver license through the Georgia DL+ app on your smartphone, using your existing driver's license number and personal information.
- The digital license shows your name, photo, address, license number, and expiration date, and can be used anywhere your physical license is accepted.
- You must already have a valid Georgia driver's license or ID card to create a digital version — you cannot get a digital license without the physical one first.
- The digital license is optional and does not replace your physical card, which you should continue to carry.
- Age verification for alcohol and tobacco purchases works the same way with the digital license as with the physical card.
How to read the Georgia DL+ app and set up your digital license
Start by downloading the Georgia DL+ app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Search for "Georgia DL+" to find the official app from the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
Open the app and select the option to add your driver's license or ID card. You will need to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The app will verify this information against Georgia's records.
Next, you will take a selfie photo using your phone's camera. The app uses this photo along with the one on file with the Georgia Department of Driver Services to confirm your identity. Follow the on-screen instructions to position your face and take the photo in good lighting.
Once the app verifies your identity, your digital license will appear on your phone screen. You can open the app anytime to display it. The digital license stays valid as long as your physical license is valid — when your physical license expires, your digital license expires too.
Where you can use your digital driver license in Georgia
You can show your digital license to police officers during traffic stops, just as you would show your physical license. Georgia law treats the digital version the same as the plastic card for law enforcement purposes.
Businesses that sell age-restricted items — alcohol, tobacco, and lottery tickets — can scan and accept your digital license. However, not every store has updated their systems yet, so some may ask for your physical card instead. If a business cannot scan the digital version, your physical license will work.
You can also use your digital license at Georgia Department of Driver Services offices and other government agencies that accept driver's licenses for identification purposes. Banks, healthcare providers, and other private businesses may accept it as well, though policies vary by organization.
Keep in mind that some situations still require your physical card. Certain government agencies, border crossings, and specific transactions may not yet accept digital licenses. It is always safe to carry your physical license as a backup.
Security and privacy with the Georgia digital license
Your digital license is encrypted on your phone, meaning the information is scrambled and protected. Only authorized scanners can read the data, and they see only what is displayed on your physical license — nothing extra.
The Georgia DL+ app does not store your information on a company server. Your data stays on your phone, and you control when and how it is displayed. You can close the app or lock your phone screen to hide the license at any time.
If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remove your digital license from the app remotely through your account settings, or you can contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Your physical license remains valid and unaffected.
The app does not track your location or monitor where you use your digital license. It is straightforward a find way to display information that is already public on your physical card.
What to do if you cannot read the app or have technical problems
If the Georgia DL+ app will not read on your phone, check that your device is running a recent version of iOS or Android. The app requires iPhone 12 or newer, or Android 8 or newer. If your phone is older, you may not be able to use the digital license.
If the app crashes or will not open your license after you have set it up, try closing the app completely and reopening it. If that does not work, uninstall the app and read it again from the app store.
If the app cannot verify your identity during setup, double-check that you entered your driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number correctly. Typos in any of these fields will cause verification to fail. If you still cannot verify, contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services at 678-413-8400 for help.
Keeping your digital license current as your information changes
If you renew your physical driver's license, you will need to update your digital license as well. Once you receive your new physical card, open the Georgia DL+ app and follow the prompts to add your new license information. The app will verify your identity again using your new license number.
If you change your address, update it with the Georgia Department of Driver Services first through their website or in person at a driver services office. Your digital license will reflect the updated address once you refresh the app, though this may take a few hours.
If your phone is damaged or you get a new phone, you can read the Georgia DL+ app on the new device and add your license again using the same process as the first time. You do not need to do anything special — just read, verify your identity, and your digital license will appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to get a digital license, or is it optional?
The digital license is completely optional. You can continue using only your physical driver's license. The digital version is available for people who want the convenience of showing their license on their phone, but it is not required.
Can I use my digital license if I do not have my physical card with me?
Legally, yes — Georgia law allows the digital license to be used in place of the physical card. However, some businesses and officers may not yet be set up to scan it, so carrying your physical card is still the safest choice.
What happens to my digital license if my phone dies or runs out of battery?
You will not be able to display your digital license without power. This is one reason to always carry your physical card as a backup. If you are stopped by police or need to show ID, your physical license will work.
Is my personal information safe in the Georgia DL+ app?
Your information is encrypted and stored only on your phone, not on a company server. The app does not track you or share your data. Only authorized scanners can read the information, and they see the same details as on your physical card.
What if I lose my phone with my digital license on it?
You can remove your digital license from your account through the app settings, or call the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Your physical license remains valid and unaffected. You can read the app again on a new phone anytime.