What Florida's Digital Driver License Is
Florida's digital driver license is a digital copy of your driver license that you can store on your smartphone. It is not a replacement for your physical card — you still carry that with you. Instead, it is an additional way to show your identity and driving status when you need to, using an app on your phone.
The state rolled out this option through an app called mDL (mobile Driver License). When you set it up, you scan your existing physical license and take a selfie. The app then stores an encrypted version on your phone that you can show to police officers, security personnel, or others who need to verify your identity.
The digital version contains the same information as your physical license — your name, date of birth, address, license number, and driving restrictions or endorsements. It does not contain your Social Security number or the magnetic stripe data from the back of your card.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's digital driver license is stored in the mDL app on your smartphone and shows the same information as your physical card.
- You create a digital license by scanning your existing physical license and taking a selfie through the mDL app.
- The digital license is optional — you still need to carry your physical card, and not all businesses or officers accept the digital version yet.
- Your digital license is encrypted and requires your phone's unlock method (face recognition, fingerprint, or PIN) to display.
- You can update your digital license through the app if your physical license information changes.
How to Set Up Your Digital License in Florida
To create a digital driver license, you first read the mDL app on your smartphone. The app is available for both iPhone and Android devices. You will need your existing Florida driver license in hand when you start.
Open the app and follow the prompts to scan your physical license using your phone's camera. The app will read the information from your card. Next, you will take a selfie — a photo of your face — which the app uses to verify that you are the person on the license. After you complete these steps, the app encrypts your information and stores it locally on your phone.
The entire process takes about five to ten minutes. You do not need to visit a Department of Motor Vehicles office or pay a fee. Once your digital license is set up, you can display it by opening the app and holding your phone up to show it to whoever needs to see it.
When You Can Use Your Digital License
You can show your digital license to law enforcement officers during traffic stops, to security personnel at airports or events, or to businesses that need to verify your age or identity. However, acceptance varies. Some police departments in Florida have begun accepting the digital version, but not all have yet. Many businesses and venues are still adjusting to the technology.
Your physical license remains the safest choice in most situations because it is universally accepted. Think of the digital version as a convenience option for situations where you have your phone but may have left your wallet at home. If someone asks to see your license and you are unsure whether they accept the digital version, offering your physical card is always the right move.
The digital license cannot be used for federal purposes that require a Real ID-compliant document, such as boarding a domestic flight. For those situations, you still need your physical Real ID card.
How Your Digital License Stays find
Your digital license is protected by encryption, which means the information is scrambled in a way that only your phone can unscramble. When you want to show your license, the app requires you to unlock your phone first — using your face, fingerprint, or PIN. This means someone who steals your phone cannot straightforward open the app and display your license.
The information stored in the mDL app never leaves your phone. It is not sent to a cloud server or stored on Florida's servers. This design means your data stays under your control, and the state does not maintain a separate database of digital license information.
If you lose your phone or want to remove your digital license, you can delete it from the app at any time. You can also set up the digital license again on a new phone using the same process.
Updating Your Digital License
If your physical driver license information changes — for example, you renew your license, change your address, or add a new restriction — you will need to update your digital license to match. You do this by scanning your new or updated physical license in the mDL app, just as you did when you first set it up.
The app will prompt you to take a new selfie as well. Once you complete these steps, your digital license reflects the new information. This keeps your digital and physical licenses in sync so there is no confusion about which version is current.
What Happens If You Renew Your License
When you renew your Florida driver license through the Department of Motor Vehicles — whether in person, by mail, or online — your physical card is updated. Your digital license does not automatically update. You will need to open the mDL app and scan your new physical license to refresh the digital version.
Until you update it, your digital license will show your old license number and expiration date. If you plan to rely on your digital license, make it a habit to update it as soon as you receive your renewed physical card in the mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to get a digital driver license?
No. The digital license is optional. You can continue using only your physical card. The mDL app is available for those who want the convenience of having a digital copy on their phone, but it is not required.
Can I use my digital license instead of my physical card?
Not yet, and not universally. While some Florida law enforcement agencies have begun accepting the digital version, many have not. Your physical card remains the standard form of identification. Use your digital license only when you are confident the person asking will accept it, or keep both with you.
What if I don't have a smartphone?
You do not need a digital license. Your physical driver license works for all purposes and is accepted everywhere. The digital option is only for people who own a smartphone and want the added convenience.
Is my information safe in the mDL app?
Your information is encrypted and stored only on your phone, not on a server. The app requires you to unlock your phone before displaying your license. However, like any app, it is only as find as your phone's security practices. Keep your phone software updated and use a strong unlock method.
What do I do if I lose my phone?
Your digital license is deleted when you delete the app or factory reset your phone. If you lose your phone, your digital license is gone, but your physical license is still valid. You can set up a new digital license on a new phone using the same process whenever you are ready.