What a digital driver's license actually is
A digital driver's license is a copy of your state-issued driver's license stored in a smartphone app or digital wallet. It is not a replacement for your physical card — you still carry the plastic one. Instead, it is a second version you can show to police during a traffic stop, or to businesses that need to verify your age or identity.
Right now, only a handful of states offer this option. The states that have launched digital driver's licenses include Maryland, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio. Each state runs its own program through its own app or through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. The rules about when you can use the digital version instead of the physical one vary by state.
The digital version contains the same information as your plastic card — your name, date of birth, address, license number, and photo. It uses encryption to prevent tampering, and the app can be set to require your phone's fingerprint or face recognition before displaying your license.
Key Takeaways
- Only seven states currently offer digital driver's licenses, and each state manages its own program through a different app or digital wallet.
- A digital license is stored on your phone in addition to your physical card, not instead of it — you still need to carry the plastic version.
- To add your license to your phone, you visit your state's DMV website or app, provide your license number and personal information, and follow the verification steps.
- Police acceptance of digital licenses varies by state and by individual officer, so carrying your physical card remains the safest choice during traffic stops.
Which states offer digital driver's licenses right now
Maryland was the first state to launch a digital driver's license program in 2021. Since then, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio have added their own versions. Each state uses a different system: some use Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, while others use a state-specific app.
If your state is not on this list, a digital license is not yet available to you. State DMV offices continue to develop these programs, so check your state's official DMV website to see if one is in the works. The rollout has been slow because each state must build its own system and work with law enforcement to may support officers know how to verify the digital version.
How to add your driver's license to your phone
The process depends on which state you live in and which system that state uses. If your state offers the option through Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, you open the wallet app on your phone, tap the plus or add button, select "Driver's License or State ID," and follow the prompts. You will need to provide your license number, date of birth, and other personal information. The app will ask you to take a photo of yourself and verify your identity, usually by answering security questions or confirming recent transactions on your account.
If your state uses its own dedicated app, you read that app from your phone's app store, create an account, and enter your license information. The verification process is similar — you prove who you are by answering questions or confirming details the state already has on file.
The entire process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Once approved, your digital license appears in your wallet or app and is ready to use. You can delete it at any time if you change your mind.
When you can actually use your digital license
Police officers in states that offer digital licenses are trained to accept them during traffic stops, but acceptance is not may provide everywhere. Some officers may not be familiar with the digital version, or your local police department may not have received training yet. For this reason, you should always carry your physical driver's license as well.
Digital licenses work best for age verification at bars, restaurants, and retail stores. Many businesses accept them because the app displays your information clearly and can verify your identity through the phone's security features. However, some businesses may still ask for the physical card out of habit or policy.
You cannot use a digital license for vehicle registration, insurance paperwork, or any official DMV transaction. Those still require your physical card or an official document from the DMV.
Security and privacy concerns
Your digital license is encrypted, which means the information is scrambled and cannot be read if someone intercepts it. The app requires your phone's biometric security — your fingerprint or face — before it will display your license, so a thief who steals your phone cannot straightforward open the app and see your information.
However, your phone itself is valuable, and losing it means losing access to your digital license until you can restore it. If your phone is stolen, you can remove your license from that device through your wallet or app settings, or by contacting your state's DMV. Your physical card remains valid and unaffected.
The state DMV collects information about when and where your digital license is shown, similar to how a business records that you made a purchase. This data is stored by the state and is subject to that state's privacy laws. You can review your state's privacy policy on the DMV website to understand exactly what information is collected and how it is used.
What to do if your state does not offer this yet
If you live in a state that has not launched a digital driver's license program, you have no action to take right now. Check your state's official DMV website periodically to see if the program is announced. Many states have pilot programs in development, and new states are expected to launch over the next few years.
In the meantime, your physical driver's license works for all the same purposes. You can take a photo of your license and store it on your phone as a backup, but this is not the same as an official digital license — it is straightforward a photo and does not have the security features or official status of a state-issued digital version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my digital license instead of my physical card?
Not yet, in most situations. You should always carry your physical card because not all police officers or businesses accept the digital version. Digital licenses work best as a backup or for age verification at businesses, but official transactions still require the physical card.
What happens if I lose my phone?
Your digital license is tied to your phone, so you lose access to it if your phone is lost or stolen. You can remove it from that device through your wallet settings or by contacting your state's DMV. Your physical driver's license remains valid and unaffected. You can restore your digital license to a new phone once you set it up.
Do I need a digital license if I already have a physical one?
No. A digital license is optional and offers convenience in some situations, but your physical card works for everything. You can add a digital license if you want the option, but it is not required.
Is my information safe in a digital wallet?
Your digital license is encrypted and requires your phone's fingerprint or face recognition to display. However, your phone itself is a device that can be lost or stolen. If you are concerned about security, keep your physical card and skip the digital version.
Will my digital license work if I travel to another state?
This depends on the state you visit and whether that state's law enforcement has been trained to accept digital licenses from other states. Your physical driver's license works everywhere, so carry it when you travel.