How to Add Your Driver's License to Your iPhone

Add your driver's license through the Wallet app

Your iPhone can store a digital copy of your driver's license in the Wallet app, the same place you keep digital payment cards and boarding passes. When you add your license, you can show it to TSA agents at airport security or to police officers during traffic stops in states that accept digital IDs. The process takes about five minutes and requires your phone to be running iOS 15.1 or later.

The actual availability depends on where you live. As of now, only a handful of states issue digital driver's licenses through this system — Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah currently support it. If your state is not on this list, the Wallet app will not let you add your license, and you will still need to carry a physical card.

Key Takeaways

Digital driver's licenses work only in specific states, and you must have a physical license from one of those states to add it to your iPhone.
You start the process by opening the Wallet app, tapping the plus icon, and selecting "Driver's License or State ID."
You will need to take photos of the front and back of your physical license and take a selfie for identity verification.
Your state's DMV verifies your identity before the license appears in your Wallet, which usually takes a few minutes to a few hours.

Check if your state supports digital driver's licenses

Before you start, confirm that your state issues digital licenses through Apple Wallet. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner, and look for an option that says "Driver's License or State ID." If that option does not appear, your state does not yet support this feature.

You can also check your state's DMV website directly. Search "[your state] DMV digital driver's license" to find the official page. The DMV site will tell you whether the program is active in your state and whether there are any restrictions — for example, some states only allow people with Real ID-compliant licenses to add them digitally.

Gather your documents and take the required photos

Have your physical driver's license in front of you before you start. You will need to photograph both the front and back of the card, so make sure the lighting is good and the text is clearly readable. The photos do not need to be perfect, but blurry or dark images may cause the verification to fail and require you to retake them.

You will also need to take a selfie — a photo of your face — during the process. This is how the state verifies that you are the person on the license. The selfie should show your face clearly, without sunglasses or a hat, and in good lighting. Your iPhone will guide you through this step and tell you if the photo is acceptable before you move forward.

Open Wallet and start adding your license

Unlock your iPhone and open the Wallet app. Tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner of the screen. Scroll through the options until you see "Driver's License or State ID" and tap it. Your phone will show you a list of states that support digital licenses — select your state from the list.

The app will then ask you to confirm that you have your physical license ready and that you understand the terms. Read through the information, then tap "Continue." From this point forward, follow the on-screen prompts exactly as they appear, because the order and wording may differ slightly depending on your state.

Take photos of your license and complete identity verification

The app will ask you to photograph the front of your license first. Position your license in the frame shown on your screen and tap the camera button. The app will check that the image is clear enough and ask you to retake it if needed. Repeat this process for the back of your license.

Next, the app will ask you to take a selfie. Hold your phone at arm's length, position your face in the frame, and tap the camera button. The app may ask you to blink or move your head slightly to confirm you are a real person. Once the selfie is accepted, you will see a summary of the information you provided. Review it carefully — if anything is wrong, tap "Edit" and retake the photos.

Wait for your state to verify your identity

After you submit your photos, your state's DMV will verify that the information on your license matches your identity. This verification usually takes a few minutes, but it can take up to a few hours depending on how busy the system is. Your iPhone will show a status screen that says "Pending" or "Verifying" while this happens.

Do not close the Wallet app or restart your phone during this time. Once verification is complete, your digital license will appear in your Wallet with a blue banner that says "Verified." You can now show this license to TSA agents or police officers in states that accept it. If verification fails, the app will tell you why and let you retake the photos.

Use your digital license at security checkpoints and traffic stops

When you need to show your license, open the Wallet app and tap your driver's license. The screen will display your license information. At TSA checkpoints, hold your phone up to the reader or show it to the agent — they will scan it or view it on your screen. At traffic stops, hand your phone to the officer or hold it so they can see the screen.

Your digital license works the same way as your physical card in states that accept it. You do not need to do anything special or unlock your phone in a particular way. If you are ever asked for your license and your phone is dead or not working, you will need to show your physical card instead, so keep it with you as a backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my state is not on the list?

Your state does not yet support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet. You will need to carry your physical license. Check your state DMV's website periodically, as more states are adding this feature over time. Some states may have their own digital ID apps that work differently.

Can I delete my digital license from my Wallet?

Yes. Open the Wallet app, press and hold your digital license, and tap "Remove." Your physical license remains valid, and you can add the digital version back to your Wallet later by following the same process.

What happens if my phone is lost or stolen?

Your digital license is tied to your phone and cannot be used on another device without going through the verification process again. If your phone is lost, you can still use your physical license. When you get a new phone, you can add your license to the Wallet app again.

Do I still need to carry my physical license?

Yes. Not all police officers or security agents accept digital licenses yet, and some situations still require a physical card. Keep your physical license with you as a backup, even after you add it to your Wallet.

Can I add a state ID instead of a driver's license?

Yes, if your state supports it. The process is the same — open Wallet, tap the plus sign, and select "Driver's License or State ID." Your state will determine which documents are available to add digitally.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.