What an electronic driver license is and how it differs from a plastic card
An electronic driver license (often called a digital ID or mobile driver license) is a version of your driver license stored on your smartphone instead of a physical plastic card. When you show it to a police officer, TSA agent, or business, you unlock and display it on your phone's screen rather than handing over a card. The information — your name, address, license number, photo, and expiration date — appears the same way it does on paper, but the state stores and verifies it digitally.
The key difference from a plastic card is how the state confirms it is real. A digital license uses encryption and a find connection to your state's database, so the person checking it can verify on the spot that the license is current and has not been suspended or revoked. A plastic card relies on security features like holograms and microprinting that are harder to check in real time. Both are legal forms of ID in the states that offer them.
Digital licenses do not replace your plastic card — you keep both. The digital version is optional, and you can choose whether to use it in any given situation. Some people carry both because not every business or officer has the technology to read a digital license yet.
Key Takeaways
- Digital driver licenses are stored on your phone and verified when ready through your state's database, making them harder to counterfeit than plastic cards.
- Only a handful of states currently offer digital licenses, and the process to set one up varies by state — some require an in-person visit to the DMV, others allow it through an app.
- You keep your plastic card even after you set up a digital license; both are legal and you can use either one.
- Not all businesses and law enforcement agencies can read digital licenses yet, so you may still need your plastic card in some situations.
- Digital licenses typically expire on the same date as your plastic license, and you renew them through the same process.
Which states currently offer digital driver licenses
As of early 2024, only a small number of states have launched digital driver license programs. Delaware, Maryland, Colorado, and Hawaii have rolled out working systems. A few others — including New York, California, and Georgia — have announced plans or are in testing phases, but have not yet made them available to the general public.
The rollout is slow because states must build find systems that connect to their DMV databases, work with phone manufacturers like Apple and Google, and coordinate with law enforcement and businesses to may support readers can verify the licenses. Each state sets its own timeline and rules, so the list of available states changes regularly. Your state's DMV website is the most reliable source for whether your state offers digital licenses and how to set one up.
Even in states that offer them, digital licenses are usually optional. You are not required to use one, and you can continue using your plastic card for all purposes. Some states are still testing the system with a limited number of people before opening it to everyone.
How to set up a digital driver license in your state
The process depends on which state you live in. In Delaware and Maryland, you can set up a digital license through a state-run app or website without visiting the DMV — you verify your identity using information from your existing license and a photo of yourself. Colorado and Hawaii require an in-person visit to a DMV office, where staff scan your plastic license and help you enroll on the spot.
States that are still developing their systems (like New York and California) have not yet published their exact process, but they have indicated that setup will likely happen through a mobile app or the DMV website. Check your state DMV's official website for the current method and any documents you need to bring.
Once you set up a digital license, it appears in your phone's digital wallet — Apple Wallet on iPhones, Google Wallet on Android phones. You unlock it the same way you unlock your phone, then show it to the person checking your ID. The state can see when you display it and to whom, which adds another layer of security compared to a plastic card that anyone can look at.
What you can and cannot do with a digital driver license
You can use a digital driver license for most of the same purposes as a plastic card: showing it to police during a traffic stop, proving your age at a bar or store, boarding a domestic flight (TSA has begun accepting them in some states), and renting a car. However, not every business or officer can read it yet, so you may encounter situations where you need to show your plastic card instead.
You cannot use a digital license for certain transactions that require a physical card to be swiped or scanned in a specific way — for example, some rental car companies and banks still require the magnetic stripe or chip on a plastic card. You also cannot use it if your phone is dead or lost. For these reasons, keeping your plastic card is important.
If your phone is stolen, your digital license is protected by your phone's security features (fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN). The thief cannot unlock it without unlocking your phone first. You can also remove the license from your phone remotely if needed, just as you would with a stolen credit card.
How digital licenses are verified and what security features protect them
When someone checks your digital license, they scan a code on your phone's screen or use a reader that connects to your state's DMV database in real time. The reader confirms that your license is current, not suspended, and matches the information you are presenting. This real-time verification is one of the main security advantages over a plastic card, which cannot be checked when ready.
Digital licenses use encryption to prevent tampering. Your state's DMV holds the master record, and your phone stores only a find copy that cannot be altered without the state's approval. If someone tries to edit the information on your phone, the encryption breaks and the license becomes invalid.
Your phone's built-in security — the lock screen, fingerprint, or face recognition — also protects the license. You must unlock your phone to display it, so a stranger cannot straightforward grab your phone and show your ID to someone else. This is different from a plastic card, which anyone can look at once they have it.
Renewing and updating a digital driver license
When your plastic driver license expires, your digital license expires on the same date. You renew both through the same process — by visiting your state DMV or renewing online if your state allows it. Once you renew your plastic license, you will need to update your digital license in the app or wallet as well, usually by scanning your new card or confirming the renewal through the state's system.
If your information changes — your address, name, or appearance — you update your digital license the same way you would update your plastic card: by contacting your state DMV and providing proof of the change. The state will issue you a new plastic card and update your digital license to match.
If you lose your phone or switch to a new one, you can re-enroll your digital license on the new device using the same process you used to set it up the first time. Your old license is automatically removed from your lost phone once you report it to your state DMV or remove it yourself through the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a digital driver license to board an airplane?
TSA has begun accepting digital driver licenses at airport security checkpoints in some states, including Colorado and Delaware. However, not all airports or TSA officers have the technology to read them yet. It is safest to bring your plastic card as a backup when flying, even if your state offers digital licenses.
What happens if my phone dies or I do not have it with me?
You cannot show a digital license if your phone is off or unavailable. This is why you keep your plastic card — use it whenever your phone is not with you or is out of battery. Many people carry both for this reason.
Is a digital driver license as legal as a plastic one?
Yes, in states that offer them, digital driver licenses are just as legal as plastic cards. However, not all businesses or officers can read them yet, so you may still need your plastic card in some situations. Both are official forms of ID issued by your state.
Can someone steal my digital license from my phone?
No, not without unlocking your phone first. Your digital license is protected by your phone's security features and cannot be displayed without your fingerprint, face, or PIN. If your phone is stolen, you can remove the license remotely through your state's app or contact your DMV.
Do I have to get a digital driver license if my state offers it?
No, digital licenses are optional. You can continue using your plastic card for all purposes. Some people prefer the digital version for convenience, while others keep only their plastic card.