What a digital driver's license actually is
A digital driver's license is a copy of your state-issued driver's license stored on your smartphone, usually in a digital wallet app. It is not a replacement for your physical card — it is an additional form you can show to certain people in certain situations. The physical license remains the legal document you need to carry while driving.
Currently, only a handful of states have launched digital driver's license programs. Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, and Utah have programs either live or in pilot testing. Each state controls its own program, so what works in one state may not work in another, and the timeline for expansion varies widely.
The digital version uses encryption and security features built into your phone to prevent counterfeiting. When you show it to someone — a police officer, a TSA agent, or a bartender — they scan a QR code or tap their device against yours, and your information appears on their screen. Your phone remains in your control the entire time; you decide what information to share and when.
Key Takeaways
- Digital driver's licenses are available in about a dozen states, and each state's program works differently in terms of which agencies accept them and how to set them up.
- You still need your physical license to drive legally; the digital version is an additional option for certain transactions like airport security or age verification.
- The digital license uses your phone's built-in security features and encryption, so it cannot be used if your phone is dead, lost, or stolen.
- TSA accepts digital licenses at most U.S. airports, but police acceptance varies by state and by individual officer, so carrying your physical card remains necessary.
- Setting up a digital license requires you to verify your identity through your state's DMV or a partner app, which usually takes a few minutes to a few hours.
Which states offer digital driver's licenses right now
Arizona was the first state to launch a full digital driver's license program in 2023, using Apple Wallet on iPhones and later adding support for Google Wallet on Android phones. Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, and Utah have since launched or are testing their own versions. Several other states have announced plans but have not yet made the feature available to the public.
The rollout has been gradual because each state must build its own system, coordinate with the TSA and law enforcement, and test security before going live. Some states began with a limited pilot — offering the feature to a small group of residents first — before opening it to everyone. If your state is not yet on this list, you can check your state's DMV website to see whether a program is planned and when it might launch.
How to set up a digital driver's license on your phone
The process varies by state, but the general steps are similar. First, open the digital wallet app on your phone — Apple Wallet for iPhones or Google Wallet for Android devices. Look for an option to add a driver's license or state ID. Tap it, and the app will either direct you to your state's DMV website or to a partner app that your state uses.
Next, you will need to verify your identity. This usually means entering your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Some states require you to take a selfie so they can match it against your license photo. A few states use a third-party identity verification service to confirm you are who you say you are.
Once your identity is confirmed, your digital license appears in your wallet. The whole process typically takes between five minutes and a few hours, depending on how quickly your state's system processes the request. You can then show the digital license by opening your wallet app and tapping the license, or by holding your phone near a compatible scanner.
Where you can actually use a digital driver's license
The TSA accepts digital driver's licenses at airport security checkpoints in all 50 states, even if your state has not yet launched its own program. TSA agents have been trained to scan the QR code on a digital license, and the system works the same way as scanning a physical card. This is currently the most reliable place to use a digital license outside your home state.
Within your own state, acceptance depends on who you are dealing with. Some police officers accept digital licenses during traffic stops, but this is not universal — many departments have not yet trained their officers or updated their systems. Bars and retailers that check age may accept a digital license, but again, this varies by business and by individual employee. Banks, government offices, and other institutions that require ID have not widely adopted digital license scanning yet.
The safest approach is to carry your physical license at all times while driving, and use the digital version as a convenience when you know the person or organization accepts it. If you are stopped by police or need to show ID to a business, have your physical card ready. As more organizations update their systems, digital licenses will become more widely accepted, but that transition is still underway.
Security and privacy concerns with digital licenses
Your digital license is encrypted on your phone and cannot be accessed without your permission. When you show it to someone, you control what information they see — you can choose to hide certain details if the app allows it. The data does not leave your phone; the person scanning it receives only the information you authorize them to see.
However, there are real limitations. If your phone dies, is lost, or is stolen, you cannot show your digital license. If your phone is hacked or compromised, someone with access to your device could potentially view your license information. For this reason, you should never rely solely on a digital license — always keep your physical card with you.
Your state's DMV does not store a copy of your digital license on its servers in the way it stores your physical license record. The license lives on your phone. If you lose your phone, you will need to set up the digital license again on a new device, which requires re-verifying your identity. This process is usually quick, but it is not instantaneous.
What happens if your phone is dead or lost
If your phone battery dies while you are driving, you cannot show a digital license. You must have your physical license with you. This is why law enforcement and transportation security agencies have not made digital licenses mandatory — they recognize that phones fail, and drivers need a backup form of ID that does not depend on battery life or network connectivity.
If your phone is lost or stolen, someone else could potentially see your digital license if they unlock your phone. However, most phones require a PIN, password, or biometric authentication to access the wallet app, so the barrier to entry is higher than with a physical card left in a wallet. Still, you should report a lost phone to your carrier and consider remotely wiping it if possible.
To set up your digital license on a replacement phone, you will need to open your wallet app and add the license again. You will have to re-verify your identity, which usually takes a few minutes. Your state's system will recognize that you already have a digital license and will not require you to go through a lengthy approval process a second time.
Differences between digital licenses and physical licenses
A physical driver's license is a government-issued document with your photo, signature, and other identifying information printed on it. It is valid everywhere in the United States and most countries that recognize U.S. identification. A digital license is a digital representation of that same information, stored on your phone and encrypted.
The physical license does not require a battery, internet connection, or smartphone. It works in places where digital scanning is not available. It is also the only form of ID you can legally use while driving in all states — some states have not yet authorized police to accept digital licenses during traffic stops.
The digital license is more convenient in some situations because you do not have to remove your phone from your pocket or hand over your card. It can be updated more quickly if your address changes or if you renew your license. However, it depends on your phone working, and it is not universally accepted yet. Think of it as a supplement to your physical license, not a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a digital driver's license to fly on an airplane?
Yes, the TSA accepts digital driver's licenses at airport security checkpoints nationwide. The agent will scan the QR code on your digital license the same way they would scan a physical card. Your phone must have battery power and be able to display the license clearly.
What if a police officer does not accept my digital license during a traffic stop?
Carry your physical license with you. Police acceptance of digital licenses varies by state and by department. Some officers have been trained to scan them; others have not. Your physical license is always the safest option during a traffic stop, and you are legally required to have it with you while driving.
Can I delete my physical license once I have a digital one?
No. Your physical license remains the legal document you must carry while driving. The digital version is an additional option, not a replacement. You should keep both with you.
What if my state does not have a digital driver's license program yet?
Check your state's DMV website for announcements about when a program might launch. In the meantime, you can use your physical license everywhere. If you travel to a state that has a digital license program, you can set up a digital version of your license in that state's system if you are a resident there.
Is a digital driver's license safer than a physical one?
They are safer in different ways. A digital license is harder to counterfeit because it uses encryption and cannot be photocopied. A physical license is safer if your phone is lost, stolen, or dead. The best approach is to use both — carry your physical license and use the digital version when it is convenient and accepted.