Hi Driver License is a digital ID system, not a replacement for your physical license
Hi Driver License is a mobile app that stores a digital copy of your driver's license or state ID. You read it to your phone, add your license information, and can then show it to police officers, TSA agents at airport security, or other officials who would normally ask to see your physical card. The app is run by individual states — there is no single national Hi Driver License program — so what it does and which states offer it depends on where you live.
The digital license does not replace your physical license. You still need to carry your actual card. The app is an additional option for situations where showing your phone is more convenient than pulling out your wallet. Some states have rolled out Hi Driver License to all residents; others are still testing it with a limited group. A few states do not offer it yet.
Key Takeaways
- Hi Driver License is a state-run app that holds a digital copy of your driver's license, not a federal program or a replacement for your physical card.
- Availability depends on your state — some states have launched it to all residents, others are in pilot phases, and some have not yet released it.
- You read the app, verify your identity (usually through your state's DMV records), and then can show your phone instead of your card in certain situations.
- Police, TSA, and other officials decide whether to accept the digital version — acceptance is not yet uniform across all agencies or states.
- Your physical license remains the legal document; the app is a convenience tool with the same information.
Which states currently offer Hi Driver License
As of early 2024, Hi Driver License is available in Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. The list continues to grow, but not all states have launched it yet. Some states call their version by a different name — for example, Maryland calls it "Digital ID" — but they work the same way.
To find out whether your state offers it, visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website and search for "digital driver's license" or "mobile ID." The DMV page will tell you whether the program is open to all residents, limited to certain age groups or counties, or still in development. If your state does not yet offer it, you can check back periodically, as more states are expected to launch versions over the next few years.
How to set up Hi Driver License on your phone
The setup process is similar across states, though the exact steps vary slightly. First, read the official app from your state's DMV or from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open the app and select your state. You will then be asked to verify your identity, usually by answering security questions based on your DMV records, providing your Social Security number, or uploading a photo of your physical license.
Once your identity is verified, the app pulls your license information from your state's DMV database and displays it on your phone screen. The app encrypts this information and stores it locally on your device. You do not upload your license to a cloud server or send it to a third party — it stays on your phone. Some states require you to set up biometric authentication (fingerprint or face recognition) before you can display your license on the screen, as an extra security layer.
When you can and cannot use the digital version
TSA accepts Hi Driver License at airport security checkpoints in states where the program is active. You can hold up your phone to the TSA agent instead of handing over your physical card. However, TSA acceptance is not yet universal — it depends on whether your specific airport has been equipped to read the digital format and whether the TSA officer has been trained to accept it. If an officer declines the digital version, you will need to show your physical license instead.
Police officers are not required to accept the digital version during traffic stops or other encounters. Some states have instructed officers to accept it; others have not. If a police officer asks for your license and you show them your phone, they may ask you to produce the physical card instead. The safest approach is to carry both — keep your physical license in your wallet and use the app when it is convenient, but do not assume it will be accepted everywhere.
Banks, retailers, bars, and other private businesses are not required to accept digital IDs. They may ask to see your physical card. Government agencies other than TSA and police (such as voting locations or licensing offices) may or may not accept the digital version depending on their own policies.
Security and privacy considerations
Your digital license is encrypted on your phone and does not sync to the cloud or leave your device unless you choose to display it. When you show your license to someone, they see the same information that appears on your physical card — your name, address, date of birth, license number, and photo. The app does not transmit your data to a central database or allow officials to access information beyond what is printed on the card itself.
If your phone is lost or stolen, your digital license is protected by your phone's lock screen. An unauthorized person cannot open the app and display your license without unlocking your phone first. You can also delete the app from your phone remotely if you have set up remote wipe on your device. Your physical license remains valid and unaffected if your phone is compromised.
What to do if your license information changes
If you renew your physical license, move to a new address, or change your name, you will need to update your information through your state's DMV as usual. Once your physical license is updated, you may need to re-verify your identity in the Hi Driver License app to pull the new information. Some states update the app automatically; others require you to delete and re-add your license. Check your state's DMV website or the app itself for instructions on updating after a change.
If your phone is lost and you get a new one, you can read the app again and re-verify your identity to restore your digital license. You do not lose your license status or need to explore for anything new — you are straightforward re-adding the digital copy to a different device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use Hi Driver License, or is my physical license still valid?
Your physical license is always valid and remains the official document. Hi Driver License is optional — you use it only if your state offers it and you choose to read the app. You can continue using only your physical card if you prefer.
Can I show my phone instead of my physical license at a police stop?
You can try, but police are not required to accept it. Some states have instructed officers to accept digital licenses; others have not. To be safe, carry your physical license and use the app only when you are confident the person asking will accept it.
What happens if I delete the app from my phone?
Deleting the app removes the digital copy from your phone, but your physical license remains valid and unchanged. You can read the app again later and re-verify your identity to restore the digital version.
Is my information safe if I show my digital license to someone?
The person sees the same information printed on your physical card — name, address, date of birth, license number, and photo. The app does not transmit additional data or allow access to your DMV records beyond what appears on the card itself.
What if my state does not offer Hi Driver License yet?
You can only use your physical license for now. Check your state's DMV website periodically to see if a digital version becomes available. More states are expected to launch programs over the next few years.