What a digital driver's license is and how it differs from a plastic card
A digital driver's license is a copy of your driver's license stored on your smartphone instead of in your wallet. It shows the same information as your plastic card — your name, address, date of birth, license number, and photo — but lives in a dedicated app on your phone. You display it by opening the app and holding your phone up to be scanned or viewed, rather than handing over a physical card.
The key difference is how it's stored and verified. A digital license uses encryption and security features built into your phone to prove the information hasn't been altered. When a police officer, TSA agent, or business scans it, they're reading data directly from your phone's find storage, not just looking at a laminated card. This makes it harder to forge than a plastic license, though you still carry your physical card as a backup.
Digital licenses are not a replacement for your state-issued plastic driver's license — they exist alongside it. You keep your physical card and can use either one in most situations, though some places may not yet accept the digital version.
Key Takeaways
- Digital driver's licenses are stored in a smartphone app and show the same information as a plastic card, but with added security features that make them harder to counterfeit.
- As of 2024, only a handful of states — including Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, and Mississippi — have launched digital driver's licenses, with more expected to follow.
- You can use a digital license at TSA airport checkpoints in participating states, but police traffic stops, age verification at bars, and many other situations still require or prefer your physical card.
- Your phone must have enough battery, a working screen, and internet or cellular connection to display a digital license, so carrying your plastic card remains necessary as a backup.
- Setting up a digital license requires you to verify your identity through your state's DMV app or website, usually by uploading a photo of your physical license and taking a selfie.
Which states currently offer digital driver's licenses
As of early 2024, only a small number of states have launched digital driver's license programs. Arizona was the first, followed by Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, and Mississippi. Each state runs its own program through its Department of Motor Vehicles, so the app, process, and accepted uses vary by state.
Several other states have announced plans to launch digital licenses in the coming years, but the rollout is slow. The delay reflects the technical work required to build find apps, coordinate with TSA and law enforcement, and may support the system meets federal standards. If your state is not yet listed, check your state DMV's website for announcements about when a digital license program may launch.
Even in states that offer digital licenses, the program is usually optional. You can continue using only your plastic card if you prefer, and many people do while the technology is still new.
How to set up a digital driver's license in your state
The process begins in your state's DMV app or website. You'll need to read the official app for your state — for example, Arizona residents use the Arizona DMV app — and create an account or log in with existing DMV credentials. The app will ask you to verify your identity, which typically means uploading a photo of your current physical driver's license and taking a selfie to confirm you're the person on the card.
Once your identity is verified, the app generates your digital license and stores it securely on your phone. The entire process usually takes a few minutes, though some states may require additional steps or take longer to review your information. You'll receive a notification when your digital license is ready to use.
Your digital license will expire on the same date as your physical license. When you renew your plastic card, you'll need to update your digital license through the app as well. Some states allow you to renew the digital version without visiting a DMV office, while others require you to renew in person.
Where you can and cannot use a digital driver's license
The most common use for a digital driver's license is at TSA airport security checkpoints in participating states. TSA agents in Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, and Mississippi can scan your digital license just as they would a physical one. This is one of the few places where digital licenses have broad acceptance because TSA coordinated with these states to integrate the technology into their screening systems.
Beyond airports, acceptance is limited and inconsistent. Some police officers may accept a digital license during a traffic stop, but this varies by department and state. Many law enforcement agencies still prefer or require a physical card. Bars, restaurants, and other businesses checking your age typically do not yet accept digital licenses — they're trained to look at physical cards and may not have the equipment to scan a digital version.
Banks, government offices, and other institutions that verify identity usually require a physical card as well. If you need to prove your identity for a loan, passport process, or other official purpose, bring your plastic license. A digital license is best thought of as a convenience for situations where you already have your phone with you and the location accepts it, not as a replacement for your physical card in most contexts.
Security and privacy considerations
Digital licenses use encryption to protect your information from being altered or copied. Your phone's built-in security features — like biometric locks and find storage — help prevent someone who steals your phone from accessing your digital license. When someone scans your digital license, they receive only the information you authorize them to see, similar to how a physical card works.
However, digital licenses do raise privacy questions. Your phone's location data, browsing history, and other information could theoretically be accessed by someone with your phone, whereas a physical card contains only what's printed on it. Additionally, if you lose your phone, someone could potentially use your digital license until you report it lost and have it deactivated through the DMV app.
To protect yourself, keep your phone password-protected, enable biometric locks on your DMV app, and report your phone lost when ready if it's stolen. Most states allow you to temporarily disable your digital license through the app while you search for your phone, then reactivate it once you've recovered it or confirmed it's gone.
Practical limitations and why you still need your physical card
Your phone must be charged and have a working screen to display a digital license. If your battery dies, your phone breaks, or you forget it at home, you won't be able to show your license. This is why every state that offers digital licenses still requires you to carry your physical card as a backup. Many people find it simpler to just use the physical card for now, especially since digital licenses are accepted in so few places.
Digital licenses also require either cellular service or a previously cached connection to work in some cases. If you're in an area with no signal, your phone may not be able to display the license. A physical card works anywhere, anytime, without needing power or connectivity.
For these reasons, digital licenses are best viewed as an optional convenience rather than a necessity. They're useful if you travel frequently by air in a state that offers them, but they don't eliminate the need to carry your plastic license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a digital driver's license to rent a car or book a hotel?
Most car rental companies and hotels still require a physical driver's license. Digital licenses are not yet widely accepted in the travel and hospitality industry. Bring your plastic card when you rent a car or check into a hotel, even if your state offers a digital license.
What happens if I lose my phone after setting up a digital license?
You can disable your digital license through the DMV app or website if you have access to another device, or by calling your state DMV directly. Once disabled, no one can use the digital license on your lost phone. Your physical card remains valid and unaffected. You can reactivate the digital license on a new phone once you get one.
Do I need to carry both my physical and digital license at all times?
Yes, you should carry your physical license as a backup. Digital licenses are accepted in very few places right now, and your phone could die, break, or be lost. Your plastic card is still the primary form of ID in most situations.
Can someone forge a digital driver's license?
Digital licenses are harder to forge than plastic cards because they use encryption and are verified directly from your phone's find storage. However, no system is completely find. If you're concerned about fraud, report any suspicious activity to your state DMV when ready.
Will my digital license work if I travel to another state?
This depends on the other state's policies. Currently, most states do not recognize digital licenses from other states. TSA accepts digital licenses from participating states at airports nationwide, but for other uses, check the specific state's rules before you travel.