Texas lets you store a digital copy of your driver license on your phone through the Apple Wallet and Google Wallet apps, but it is not the same as carrying your physical license.
The digital version is called a mobile driver license, or mDL. Right now in Texas, you can add your license to Apple Wallet on an iPhone or iPad, or to Google Wallet on an Android phone. When you show it to a police officer or at certain locations, you unlock it with your face or fingerprint — the same way you unlock your phone for payments. Your physical license still works everywhere and remains valid; the digital version is an additional option, not a replacement.
Not every business, officer, or location accepts the digital version yet. Gas stations, bars, and most retail stores still ask for the physical card. Police during traffic stops may or may not accept it depending on the officer and the situation. The digital license is most useful at airports, some banks, and a few other venues that have specifically set up to read it. Before you rely on it for a specific purpose, check whether that location accepts mobile licenses.
Key Takeaways
- You add your Texas driver license to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet through the Texas Department of Public Safety app or directly through the wallet app itself.
- The digital license requires face or fingerprint unlock each time you show it, and it only works on phones that support these features.
- Your physical license remains valid and is still required in most places; the digital version is an extra option, not a replacement.
- Airports, some banks, and certain government offices accept mobile licenses, but gas stations, bars, and most stores do not yet.
- You can add a digital license only if your physical Texas license is current and you have not reported it lost or stolen.
How to add your license to Apple Wallet
Open the Wallet app 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. Choose Texas as your state. The app will ask you to take a photo of the front and back of your physical license, then take a selfie. You will need to verify your identity — Texas uses a verification process that may ask you security questions based on your personal history, or it may ask you to scan a document like a passport or Social Security card.
Once Texas approves your identity, your license appears in Wallet. To show it to someone, open Wallet, tap your license, and unlock it with Face ID or Touch ID. The person checking it can see your photo, name, date of birth, license number, and expiration date. They cannot save or copy the information. If you lose your phone or want to remove the license, you can delete it from Wallet at any time, and it disappears when ready.
How to add your license to Google Wallet
Open Google Wallet on your Android phone and tap the plus sign. Select "ID" and then "Driver's License or State ID." Choose Texas. You will photograph the front and back of your physical license and take a selfie, just as with Apple Wallet. Google will send your information to Texas for identity verification, which uses the same security questions or document scan process.
Once approved, your license lives in Google Wallet. To display it, open Wallet, tap your license, and unlock it with your fingerprint or face recognition. The information shown and the privacy protections are the same as Apple Wallet — the person viewing it cannot read or copy your data. You can remove it from Wallet anytime.
What you need before you start
Your Texas driver license must be current and not expired. If you have reported your license lost or stolen, you cannot add it to your phone until you receive a replacement. Your phone must support biometric unlock — either Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint recognition — because you cannot show your digital license without unlocking it that way. iPhones running iOS 15.1 or later support Apple Wallet mDL, and Android phones running Android 12 or later support Google Wallet mDL, though some older phones may not have the feature even with the right software version.
You will need a working camera to photograph your license and take a selfie. You will also need an internet connection during the setup process. The identity verification step requires you to answer questions about your personal history or provide a document, so have a valid passport, Social Security card, or other government ID nearby in case Texas asks for it.
Where you can use your digital license
Texas airports accept mobile driver licenses at security checkpoints. Some banks use them for account opening or identity verification. A few government offices and certain venues have begun accepting them, but acceptance is still limited and growing. Before you plan to use your digital license for a specific purpose, contact that location directly to confirm they accept mobile licenses — do not assume they do.
Police officers during traffic stops may or may not accept a digital license depending on the officer's training and comfort level. It is safer to carry your physical license in your car. Gas stations, liquor stores, bars, restaurants, and most retail businesses do not currently accept digital licenses for age verification or ID checks. If you are asked to show ID and you only have the digital version, you may be turned away.
What happens if your phone dies or you lose it
If your phone battery dies, you cannot unlock or display your digital license. This is why you should always carry your physical license as a backup. If you lose your phone, your digital license is locked to that device and cannot be accessed from another phone — the person who finds your phone cannot unlock it without your biometric data. You can remove the license from your account through the Texas Department of Public Safety app or by contacting DPS directly, and it will stop working when ready.
If you get a new phone, you can add your license to the new device by going through the setup process again. You do not need to request a new physical license or do anything with the state — you straightforward add it to your new phone's wallet app.
Keeping your digital license find
Your digital license is encrypted and stored securely on your phone. It does not contain your full Social Security number, address, or other sensitive information beyond what appears on your physical card. Each time you show it, you must unlock it with your face or fingerprint, which prevents someone who steals your phone from using it. The person viewing your license cannot screenshot, photograph, or copy the information.
If you are concerned about privacy, remember that you are not required to use a digital license. Your physical license works everywhere a digital one does, and in most places it is the only option accepted. You can add a digital license and then delete it anytime without affecting your physical license or your driving record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my digital license instead of my physical license?
Not everywhere. Airports and some banks accept it, but gas stations, bars, stores, and most police officers still require your physical card. You should carry both until digital licenses become more widely accepted. Your physical license never expires as an option — it remains valid even after you add a digital version.
What if I do not have a smartphone or do not want to use one?
You do not have to add a digital license. Your physical Texas driver license works the same way it always has. The digital option is voluntary and for people who want the convenience of having it on their phone.
Can someone else use my digital license if they have my phone?
No. They would need to unlock your phone with your face or fingerprint, and then unlock the license itself the same way. If your phone is stolen, the license is locked to that device and cannot be transferred or used elsewhere.
How long does it take to get approved after I submit my information?
Identity verification usually takes a few minutes to a few hours, though it can take longer if Texas needs additional information from you. You will receive a notification when your license is approved and ready to use.
What if my digital license is not working or showing up in my wallet?
Make sure your phone has the latest version of iOS or Android, and that your Wallet app is up to date. Restart your phone and try opening Wallet again. If the problem continues, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety or your phone's support team — the issue may be with your device rather than your license.