How to Add Your Driver's License to Apple Wallet

Adding your driver's license to Apple Wallet requires an iPhone 15 or later and happens through the Wallet app, not Settings

To add your driver's license to Apple Wallet, open the Wallet app on your iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, or later model. Tap the plus icon in the upper right corner, select "Driver's License or State ID," and follow the on-screen prompts. You will photograph the front and back of your license, take a video selfie for identity verification, and answer security questions. Apple then sends your information to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles for approval, which typically takes a few days to a week.

The process is state-specific. Not all states have signed agreements with Apple yet. Your state's DMV must have authorized the program before you can add your license. Even if your state participates, you may need to renew your physical license first if it is expired or will expire within six months.

Key Takeaways

You need an iPhone 15 or later model; older iPhones cannot store driver's licenses in Wallet, even if your state participates.
Your state's DMV must have an agreement with Apple; not all states offer this feature yet, and the list continues to expand.
The verification process includes photographing both sides of your license and recording a video selfie, which Apple uses to confirm your identity.
Approval from your state's DMV typically takes three to ten days, and you will receive a notification when your license is ready to use.
Your physical license remains valid and required; the digital version in Wallet is an additional option, not a replacement.

Which states currently support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet

As of early 2024, Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah have launched digital driver's license support in Apple Wallet. Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have announced plans to launch but have not yet gone live. The timeline for new states varies; some roll out within months, while others take longer to complete their DMV system updates.

Before you start the process, check your state's DMV website or search "Apple Wallet [your state]" to confirm whether your state currently supports digital licenses. If your state is not yet listed, you can still use your physical license and check back periodically as more states join the program.

Step-by-step process for photographing and verifying your identity

After you tap the plus icon in Wallet and select "Driver's License or State ID," the app will guide you through photographing the front of your license first. Hold your phone steady, may support the entire license is visible and well-lit, and tap to capture. You will then photograph the back of your license using the same method. The app uses machine learning to check that both images are clear and readable; if either photo is blurry or cut off, you will be prompted to retake it.

Next, the app will ask you to record a video selfie. You will be instructed to move your head in specific directions — typically looking left, right, and straight ahead — so Apple can verify that you are the person on the license. This video is encrypted and sent to your state's DMV for verification. After the video, you will answer security questions based on information from your DMV record, such as your address, license number, or issue date. These questions confirm your identity before your state processes your request.

What happens after you submit your information to the DMV

Once you complete the video and security questions, Apple submits your information to your state's DMV for review. You will see a status message in the Wallet app saying your license is "pending." During this time, the DMV verifies that the person in your video matches the photo on your license and that your answers to the security questions are correct. This review typically takes three to ten days, though some states may take longer during high-volume periods.

You will receive a notification on your iPhone when your state's DMV approves your request. At that point, your digital license will appear in Wallet and will be ready to use. If the DMV cannot verify your identity or finds a discrepancy, you will receive a notification explaining what went wrong and may be asked to resubmit your information or contact your state's DMV directly.

How to use your digital driver's license at checkpoints and businesses

Once your digital license is active in Wallet, you can present it to law enforcement, TSA agents, or businesses that accept it. To show your license, open Wallet, tap your driver's license, and hold your phone near the reader or officer's device. You do not need to unlock your phone or use Face ID; the license will display automatically. Some officers or businesses may ask to see your physical license as well, particularly if their equipment is not yet set up to read digital licenses.

At TSA checkpoints, you can use your digital license at airport security. Hold your phone near the TSA agent's reader, and the license information will be transmitted. TSA has confirmed that digital licenses from participating states are accepted at all U.S. airports. However, your physical license remains valid and required in situations where digital licenses are not yet accepted, such as at some state borders or with certain law enforcement agencies.

Troubleshooting common problems during setup

If your state is not showing as an option when you tap the plus icon in Wallet, your state's DMV has not yet launched the program. Check your state's DMV website for an announcement about when digital licenses will become available. If your state is listed but you cannot proceed past the license photo step, may support your photos are clear, well-lit, and show the entire front and back of your license. Shadows, glare, or cropped edges will cause the app to reject the image.

If you receive a message that your identity could not be verified, the most common reasons are that your video selfie was unclear, your answers to security questions did not match your DMV record, or your physical license information does not match what is in the DMV system. Retake your video in good lighting and may support your face is clearly visible. If you continue to have problems, contact your state's DMV directly; they can confirm that your information is correct in their system before you try again.

If your license is stuck in "pending" status for more than two weeks, contact your state's DMV. Occasionally, requests get delayed due to system issues or high volume. The DMV can check the status of your submission and let you know whether there is a problem that needs to be resolved.

Your physical license and digital license work together, not as replacements

Adding your driver's license to Apple Wallet does not replace your physical license. You must continue to carry your physical license because not all businesses, law enforcement agencies, or states accept digital licenses yet. The digital version is an additional option for convenience when you are in a state or situation where it is accepted.

If your physical license expires, you will need to renew it through your state's DMV in the usual way. Your digital license in Wallet will also expire at the same time. When you renew your physical license, you can add the new license to Wallet using the same process. If you lose your phone or delete the Wallet app, your digital license is removed, but your physical license remains valid and usable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my license to Apple Wallet if my state has not launched the program yet?

No. Your state's DMV must have an agreement with Apple and completed their system setup before the option appears in Wallet. Check your state's DMV website or Apple's Wallet support page for the current list of participating states and expected launch dates for states that have announced the program.

What if I have an iPhone 14 or older model?

Digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet require iPhone 15 or later. If you have an older iPhone, you cannot add your license to Wallet. You will need to upgrade to iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, or a newer model to use this feature.

Do I need to renew my physical license before adding it to Apple Wallet?

If your license is expired or will expire within six months, most states require you to renew it first. Check your state's DMV website for their specific policy. If your license is current and valid for at least six months, you can usually add it to Wallet when ready.

What happens if I move to a different state?

Your digital license is tied to your current state's DMV. If you move and get a new license from a different state, you will need to add that new license to Wallet if the new state participates in the program. Your old digital license will no longer be valid once your old license expires.

Can I show my digital license on someone else's phone?

No. Your digital license is stored only on your iPhone and cannot be transferred or displayed on another device. You must present it from your own phone. This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized use of your license information.

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.