How to Add Your Driver License to Apple Wallet

What Adding Your Driver License to Apple Wallet Does

Adding your driver license to Apple Wallet stores a digital copy on your iPhone or Apple Watch that you can show to police during a traffic stop or to TSA agents at airport security. You still carry your physical license — the digital version is an additional option. Apple Wallet encrypts the license data on your device, and you control when and to whom you show it.

Not every state offers this feature yet. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Utah have launched digital driver licenses through Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add the feature over time. You can check whether your state participates by opening Wallet on your iPhone and attempting to add an ID.

Key Takeaways

Your state must have launched digital driver license support through Apple Wallet — not all states offer this yet, and the list grows periodically.
You need an iPhone XS or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, running the current version of iOS or watchOS.
The process requires your physical driver license, a photo taken with your iPhone's camera, and your state's identity verification steps.
You can show your digital license to police and TSA agents, but you must still carry your physical license as a backup.
Deleting the digital license from your phone does not affect your physical license or your driving record.

Check Whether Your State Participates

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Scroll down to find "Driver's License or State ID." If your state appears in the list, you can proceed. If you see a message that your state is not yet supported, you will need to wait for your state to launch the feature — there is no workaround to add a license from a non-participating state.

You can also check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website to see whether digital licenses are available and when the rollout is expected. Some states have announced launch dates for future months.

Gather Your Documents and Information

Before you start, have your physical driver license in front of you. You will need to read information from it during the setup process. You will also need to take a photo of yourself with your iPhone's camera — this is not the same as uploading an existing photo. Apple requires a fresh photo taken during the setup process for security reasons.

Make sure your iPhone is unlocked and you are in a well-lit space. The camera will guide you through positioning your face. You do not need professional lighting, but avoid harsh shadows or backlighting.

Add Your License Through the Wallet App

Open Wallet and tap the plus sign (+). Select "Driver's License or State ID," then choose your state. Tap "Continue" and follow the on-screen prompts. You will be asked to take a photo of the front and back of your physical license using your iPhone camera. Hold the license flat and centered in the frame. The app will tell you when the image is clear enough to proceed.

Next, you will take a selfie. The app will guide you to position your face in the circle on the screen. You may be asked to blink or move your head slightly so the system can verify you are present. This step takes about 30 seconds.

After the photos, you will enter information from your license — your name, address, date of birth, and license number. Double-check each field against your physical license. Any mismatch can cause the submission to fail.

Complete Your State's Identity Verification

Your state will run a verification process to confirm you are who you say you are. This typically involves answering security questions based on your public records — questions like "Which of these addresses have you lived at?" or "Which of these is your mother's maiden name?" You will have a limited number of attempts to answer correctly. If you fail verification, you can try again after a waiting period, which varies by state.

Some states may ask you to verify your identity through your state's DMV website or app instead of through Apple Wallet. Follow the instructions your state provides. This step usually takes a few minutes but can take longer if you need to answer multiple rounds of questions.

Wait for Approval and Review the Terms

After you submit your information, your state's DMV will review your submission. This typically takes a few minutes to a few hours, though some states may take longer during high-volume periods. You will receive a notification on your iPhone when the review is complete.

Before your license appears in Wallet, you will see a terms and conditions screen specific to your state. Read through it — it explains how your digital license can be used, what data is shared with police or TSA, and your rights. You must agree to these terms to proceed. Tap "Agree" to add the license to your Wallet.

Show Your Digital License When Needed

When a police officer or TSA agent asks for your ID, open Wallet and tap your driver license. Your iPhone will ask you to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode before displaying the license. This security step prevents someone who has your phone from showing your ID without your permission.

The officer or agent will see your name, photo, license number, and expiration date on your phone screen. They cannot take a photo of your screen or access any other information on your device. If they need to verify additional details, you can show your physical license as backup.

You can also add your digital license to your Apple Watch. Open the Wallet app on your watch, tap the plus sign, and select your driver license from the list of cards in your iPhone Wallet. The license will sync to your watch, and you can display it the same way — by opening Wallet and tapping the license.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I lose my phone or it gets stolen?

Your digital license is encrypted on your device and requires Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to display. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remotely erase it using Find My iPhone, which will delete the license. Your physical license and driving record are unaffected. You can re-add the digital license to a new phone by going through the setup process again.

Can I use my digital license instead of my physical license?

No. You must carry your physical driver license at all times while driving. The digital license is an additional option for situations where you want to show your ID without handing over your physical card. Police and TSA agents may ask to see your physical license even if you show them the digital version.

Will adding a digital license affect my driving record or insurance?

No. The digital license is only a display option. It does not change your driving record, insurance status, or anything else related to your license. It is purely informational for showing to authorities.

What if my state launches digital licenses after I already added my license to Wallet?

You will receive a notification from Apple Wallet when your state's digital license feature becomes available. You can then add it following the same process. You do not need to remove your old license first — you can have multiple IDs in Wallet.

Can I add someone else's license to my Wallet?

No. The setup process requires you to take a selfie and answer identity verification questions. You can only add your own license to your own device.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.