How Digital Driver's Licenses Work
A digital driver's license is a digital copy of your state-issued driver's license stored on your smartphone. Instead of carrying a physical card, you can show your license to police officers, TSA agents, or other officials by opening an app on your phone and displaying the information on your screen. The digital version contains the same data as your physical license — your name, address, date of birth, license number, and photo — but exists only in digital form.
Not all states offer digital driver's licenses yet. The states that do — including Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming — each run their own program through their Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The technology and requirements differ slightly by state, but the basic process is the same: you read an official state app, verify your identity, and add your license to your phone's digital wallet.
The digital license does not replace your physical card. You still receive and keep your plastic license from the DMV. The digital version is an additional option you can use alongside it.
Key Takeaways
- Digital driver's licenses are stored on your phone through an official state app and show the same information as your physical license.
- Only certain states currently offer digital licenses, and each state manages its own program through its DMV.
- You must verify your identity through the app, usually by taking a photo of yourself and your physical license.
- A digital license does not replace your physical card; you keep both and can use either one.
- Not all businesses and officials accept digital licenses yet, so your physical card remains necessary in many situations.
Which States Offer Digital Driver's Licenses
Arizona was the first state to launch a digital driver's license program in 2019. Since then, a growing number of states have introduced their own versions. The list includes Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming. Several other states have announced plans to launch programs in the coming years, but these are the ones currently accepting new digital licenses.
Each state's program operates independently, so the app you use in Arizona will not work in Colorado. If you move to a different state or travel frequently, you may need to set up a digital license in each state where you want to use one. Check your state's DMV website to see whether your state offers a digital license program and what the current status is.
How to Add Your License to Your Phone
The process begins with downloading your state's official app. Arizona uses the Arizona Mobile ID app, Colorado uses the Colorado Digital ID app, and so on. Each state's DMV website lists the correct app name and provides a link to read it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Once you have downloaded the app, you will need to verify your identity. This typically involves taking a photo of your face and a photo of your physical driver's license. The app uses facial recognition technology to confirm that the person in the selfie matches the photo on your license. You may also be asked to answer security questions or provide other personal information to confirm your identity.
After verification is complete, your digital license appears in the app and is usually added to your phone's digital wallet — Apple Wallet on iPhones or Google Wallet on Android phones. From that point forward, you can open the app or wallet and display your license on your phone's screen when asked to show it.
Where You Can Use a Digital Driver's License
TSA (Transportation Security Administration) accepts digital driver's licenses at airport security checkpoints in states that offer them. You can show your digital license on your phone instead of handing over your physical card. This is one of the most common uses for a digital license.
Police officers and other law enforcement may accept a digital license during a traffic stop, but acceptance varies by jurisdiction and officer discretion. Some police departments have trained officers to accept digital licenses; others have not. If an officer does not accept your digital license, you can show your physical card instead.
Retail businesses, bars, and other private businesses are not required to accept digital licenses. Many do not yet, so you should carry your physical license whenever you go somewhere that may ask for ID. Banks, government offices, and other institutions may or may not accept digital licenses depending on their policies.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Your digital license is encrypted and stored securely on your phone. When you display it to someone, they see only the information you choose to show — similar to how you might cover part of your physical license with your hand. The app does not transmit your information to a central database or to the person viewing your license; it straightforward displays the data on your screen.
If your phone is lost or stolen, your digital license is protected by your phone's lock screen. Someone cannot access the app without unlocking your phone first. You can also remove your digital license from the app at any time, and you can report your phone to your state's DMV if you believe your digital license has been compromised.
Your physical license remains valid and should be kept in a safe place. The digital version is a convenience, not a replacement, so losing access to your digital license does not leave you without ID.
Differences Between Digital and Physical Licenses
Your physical license is a government-issued ID card that is accepted everywhere. Your digital license is accepted in fewer places and depends on your phone being charged and working properly. If your phone dies or malfunctions, you cannot show your digital license, but you still have your physical card.
A physical license does not require internet access to verify. A digital license may require an internet connection for the initial verification process, though some states allow offline viewing once the license is stored on your phone. Check your state's specific app to see whether internet access is needed each time you display your license.
The expiration date and renewal process are the same for both versions. When your physical license expires, you renew it through your state's DMV, and your digital license is updated automatically or you must renew it through the app as well, depending on your state's system.
What Happens If You Lose Your Phone or Switch Devices
If you lose your phone, your digital license is gone from that device, but it is not lost permanently. You can read the app on a new phone, verify your identity again, and restore your digital license. The process is the same as the initial setup.
If you upgrade to a new phone, you can transfer your digital license by downloading the app on the new device and signing in with your account credentials. Some states allow you to transfer the license directly; others require you to go through the verification process again. Your state's app documentation will explain the specific steps.
Your physical license is unaffected by any changes to your phone or digital license. You always have your physical card as a backup form of ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to get a digital license if my state offers one?
No. A digital license is optional. You can continue using only your physical license if you prefer. Many people use both — carrying their physical card and also having the digital version on their phone for convenience.
Can I use my digital license at a bar or restaurant to prove my age?
It depends on the business. Some bars and restaurants accept digital licenses; many do not yet. Always carry your physical license when you go out, since you cannot assume a business will accept the digital version.
Is a digital license as legal as a physical license?
A digital license issued by your state's DMV is a legal form of ID in the states that offer it. However, not all businesses and officials are required to accept it. Your physical license is more widely accepted, so both should be considered valid but with different levels of acceptance depending on the situation.
What if my state does not offer a digital license yet?
You cannot get a digital license in a state that does not have a program. Check your state's DMV website periodically to see if a program has been launched. In the meantime, your physical license is your only option.
Can someone else use my digital license if they have access to my phone?
They would need to unlock your phone first, which is why your phone's lock screen is your first line of protection. Once your phone is unlocked, they could theoretically display your license, but using someone else's ID is illegal. Your phone's security is the main safeguard.