Adding your driver's license to Apple Wallet

To add your driver's license to Apple Wallet, open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner, and select "Driver's License or State ID." You will then be asked to choose your state — not all states participate yet, so if yours does not appear, the feature is not yet available in your region.

Once you select your state, you will be guided through a process that involves taking photos of the front and back of your license and a selfie. The app will ask you to position your face and license in specific ways to may support the images are clear. After you complete the photos, your state's DMV system will verify your identity and the license information. This verification step can take a few minutes to several hours depending on your state.

During verification, Apple does not store your full license data on their servers. Instead, the information stays encrypted on your device. Your state's DMV handles the actual verification of whether the license is real and current.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state must participate in Apple Wallet's driver's license program — currently available in some states but not all, with more being added over time.
  • The setup process requires clear photos of both sides of your license and a selfie, which your state's DMV will verify against their records.
  • At TSA checkpoints, you can hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader without unlocking your device or opening an app.
  • Your license data is encrypted on your device, and you can remove it from Wallet at any time if you change your mind.
  • Not all businesses or locations accept digital IDs yet — many still require a physical card, so keep your original license with you.

Which states currently support digital driver's licenses

As of early 2024, the following states allow you to add a driver's license to Apple Wallet: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. This list continues to grow, and Apple regularly announces new states joining the program.

To check whether your state is supported, open Wallet, tap the plus sign, and select "Driver's License or State ID." If your state appears in the list, the feature is available to you. If it does not appear, you will not be able to add your license through this method yet.

Using your digital license at TSA checkpoints

At participating TSA security checkpoints, you can present your digital driver's license by holding your iPhone or Apple Watch near the ID reader. You do not need to unlock your device, open the Wallet app, or authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID — the reader will communicate directly with your device to verify the license.

The TSA checkpoint reader scans the encrypted data on your phone and confirms your identity without seeing your full license details. This process is designed to be faster than showing a physical card, though some checkpoints may still ask for a backup form of ID or may not yet have readers installed.

If you are traveling and want to use your digital license, arrive early enough to allow extra time in case the checkpoint reader is not working or the agent is unfamiliar with the process. Always carry your physical license as a backup.

Presenting your digital license to police or other officials

Using your digital driver's license with law enforcement or other officials works differently than at TSA checkpoints. You must unlock your device and manually show the license on your screen — the officer cannot scan it remotely. This means you have control over what information is displayed and when.

When you open your license in Wallet and hold it toward an officer, only the front of your license is shown by default. The officer can ask to see additional information, but you retain the ability to refuse or to show your physical license instead. Some states' digital licenses also allow you to share only your age or name rather than your full license details, depending on what the officer requests.

Not all law enforcement agencies have been trained on digital licenses yet, and some may not accept them. If an officer is unfamiliar with the format or refuses to accept it, you can show your physical license instead. You are not required to use the digital version.

Removing your license from Wallet or updating it

If you want to remove your digital license from Wallet, open the app, find your license, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, and select "Remove." Your license will be deleted from your device when ready. You can add it again later by following the initial setup process.

If your license expires or you renew it, you will need to add the new license to Wallet as a separate entry. Your old license will remain in Wallet until you manually remove it. When you renew your physical license at your state's DMV, you can add the new one to Wallet using the same process as before.

If you lose your iPhone or Apple Watch, your digital license is encrypted and cannot be accessed without your device's unlock code. You can remove it remotely using Find My iPhone if you have that feature set up, which will delete the license from the lost device.

What happens if verification fails

If your state's DMV cannot verify your identity or license information during setup, the Wallet app will show an error message. Common reasons for verification failure include mismatched information between your photos and DMV records, poor photo quality, or a mismatch between the name or address on your license and what the DMV has on file.

If verification fails, you can try again by starting the process over. Make sure your photos are clear, well-lit, and show all required information. If you continue to have trouble, contact your state's DMV directly — they can tell you whether there is a problem with your license record or whether your state's system is experiencing technical issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license at a bar or restaurant to prove my age?

This depends on the business and your state. Some establishments have been trained to accept digital IDs, but many still require a physical card. Call ahead or ask the staff when you arrive. You should always carry your physical license as a backup.

What if my phone dies or I do not have it with me?

Your digital license is only on your device, so you cannot show it if your phone is dead or not with you. This is why you should always carry your physical license. The digital version is meant to be a convenience, not a replacement.

Is my license data safe in Apple Wallet?

Your license information is encrypted on your device and never stored on Apple's servers. Only your state's DMV can access the data when you present it at a reader. If someone steals your phone, they cannot unlock it to see your license without your passcode or biometric authentication.

Can I add my license to Apple Wallet if I have a learner's permit or state ID instead?

Some states allow you to add a state ID card to Wallet, but learner's permits are not currently supported. Check your state's list in the Wallet app to see what documents are available.

What if I move to a different state?

You will need to get a new license from your new state's DMV and then add it to Wallet. Your old license will remain in Wallet until you remove it manually. You can keep both licenses in Wallet if you want, but only your current state's license is valid for use.