What a digital driver license is and where you can use it
A digital driver license is a copy of your state-issued driver license stored on your phone, usually in a digital wallet app. You can show it to a police officer during a traffic stop, at airport security, or at age-restricted venues instead of carrying the physical card. The digital version has the same legal weight as the plastic one in most situations — it displays your photo, license number, expiration date, and other identifying information.
Not every state offers this yet. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, and Utah have launched digital driver license programs. More states are developing them. Even in states that offer digital licenses, some businesses and officers may not accept them yet, so you should keep your physical license with you for now.
The digital license lives in your phone's built-in wallet app — Apple Wallet on iPhones, Google Wallet on Android phones. You cannot create a digital license through a third-party app or a website; it has to come directly from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Key Takeaways
- Digital driver licenses are available in 13 states and are added through your phone's built-in wallet app, not through a separate service.
- You start the process through your state DMV's website or app, where you verify your identity and upload or confirm your existing license information.
- The digital license appears on your phone within minutes to a few hours, depending on your state's system.
- You should still carry your physical license because not all officers, businesses, or venues accept the digital version yet.
- The digital license is encrypted on your phone and does not display your full information until you unlock your phone and approve the request.
How to add your driver license to your phone
The process starts on your state's DMV website or through the official DMV app for your state. Look for a link or button labeled "Digital Driver License," "Mobile ID," or "Add to Wallet" — the exact wording varies by state. You will need your current driver license number, your Social Security number, and a way to verify your identity, usually through a video call with an agent or by answering security questions tied to your credit history.
Once you pass identity verification, the DMV will ask you to confirm the information on your license — your name, address, date of birth, and other details. Some states use the photo already on file from your license. Others ask you to take a new photo through your phone's camera. After you confirm everything, the DMV sends the digital license to your phone's wallet app.
The whole process usually takes 5 to 30 minutes, though some states process it when ready while others take a few hours. You will receive a confirmation email or notification in the DMV app when your digital license is ready to view in your wallet.
What information appears on the digital license
Your digital driver license shows the same core information as your physical card: your name, date of birth, license number, expiration date, address, and photo. Some states also include your height, eye color, and any restrictions (like corrective lenses required). The digital version does not display your full Social Security number or other sensitive data.
When you show the digital license to someone — a police officer, airport security, or a bouncer — they tap or scan it on your phone. Your phone screen lights up and shows the license information. The person viewing it cannot access any information beyond what appears on the screen, and they cannot read or save it. Once you lock your phone or walk away, the information disappears from view.
Security and privacy on a digital license
Your digital driver license is encrypted on your phone, which means it is scrambled in a way that only your phone can decode. To show it to someone, you unlock your phone first, then approve the request to display the license. This two-step process prevents someone from accessing your license if they steal your phone.
The person viewing your license cannot take a screenshot or photograph it — the phone's security settings block that. They also cannot see information you have not authorized them to see. For example, if you are showing your license to prove your age, the officer or business owner sees your photo and birthdate but not your address or license number unless those details are relevant to what they are checking.
Your state's DMV does not track when or where you show your digital license. The transaction happens between your phone and the person viewing it; no data is sent back to the government or stored in a central database.
When police and businesses accept digital licenses
Police officers in states with digital driver license programs are trained to accept them during traffic stops. However, acceptance varies by department and by individual officer. Some departments have fully adopted digital licenses; others are still in the transition period. If an officer is unfamiliar with the digital format, showing your physical license is the fastest way to resolve the situation.
Airports in states with digital licenses now accept them at security checkpoints as a form of ID. The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has approved digital licenses in participating states. You still need to have your phone charged and unlocked to use it at security.
Age-restricted venues — bars, liquor stores, and some retailers — are slower to adopt digital licenses. Many still prefer the physical card because staff are trained to check for security features like holograms and watermarks that are harder to verify on a phone screen. Check with the specific business before assuming they will accept the digital version.
What to do if you lose your phone or it breaks
If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remove the digital license from your account through your state's DMV website or app. Log in, find the digital license section, and select the option to delete or deactivate it. This prevents someone else from using it, even if they unlock your phone. The deletion is usually when ready.
Once you have a new phone, you can add the digital license again by going through the same process on your state's DMV website. You will not have to re-verify your identity if you did it recently — most states let you re-add the license within a certain timeframe without a second verification. If your phone breaks but you still have it, you can delete the license before you send it for repair or recycling.
Your physical driver license remains valid regardless of what happens to the digital version. You can always fall back on the plastic card.
States that currently offer digital driver licenses
The following states have launched digital driver license programs: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, and Utah. Each state's program works slightly differently, and the names vary — some call it a "Digital Driver License," others call it "Mobile ID" or "Digital ID."
If your state is not on this list, check your state DMV's website to see if a program is in development. Many states have announced plans to launch digital licenses in the coming years. You can also contact your state DMV directly to ask about the timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a digital driver license if my state does not offer one yet?
No. Digital driver licenses are only available through your state's official DMV program. You cannot create one through a third-party app or website, and other states' digital licenses will not work in your state. You will need to carry your physical license until your state launches its program.
What if I do not have a smartphone or do not want to use one?
You can continue using your physical driver license. Digital licenses are optional, not required. Even in states that offer them, the plastic card remains valid and widely accepted. There is no penalty for choosing not to use a digital version.
Can someone else use my digital driver license if they have my phone?
Not easily. They would need to unlock your phone first, and then approve the request to display the license. If your phone is protected by a passcode, fingerprint, or face recognition, the digital license is protected by the same security. Once you delete the license from your account, it stops working even if someone has your phone.
Does the digital license expire at the same time as my physical license?
Yes. Your digital license has the same expiration date as your physical license. When your physical license expires and you renew it, you will need to update the digital version through your state's DMV app or website. The process is usually faster the second time because the DMV already has your information on file.
Can I show a digital license at the airport if I do not have my phone charged?
No. Your phone needs to be powered on and have enough battery to display the license. If your battery is low, bring your physical license as a backup. The TSA will accept either one.