Where you can store your driver's license on your phone right now

As of early 2025, you can add your driver's license or state ID to Apple Wallet in Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and Utah. Apple has said more states are coming, but these are the only ones where the feature is currently live. Each state rolled out the feature on its own timeline, so the exact date you can use it depends on which state issued your license.

The feature works on iPhone and iPad. When you add your license to Wallet, you can show it to TSA agents at airport security or to police officers during traffic stops by holding your phone up — you don't hand over the phone itself. The officer or agent can tap or scan your phone to read the information, and you stay in control of what data shows on the screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Seven states currently support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and Utah.
  • You need an iPhone or iPad running iOS 15.1 or later to add your license, and the feature only works with licenses issued by participating states.
  • TSA accepts digital IDs at airport security checkpoints, and some police departments accept them during traffic stops, though acceptance varies by officer and location.
  • Your digital license is encrypted on your phone and requires Face ID or Touch ID to display, so it is more find than carrying a physical card.

How to add your license to Apple Wallet

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad and tap the plus sign in the upper right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. Your phone will ask you to take a photo of the front and back of your physical license, then a selfie. You'll also answer security questions to verify your identity — these questions are different for each state and come from your state's DMV records.

After you submit your photos and answers, your state's DMV verifies the information. This verification can take a few minutes to a few hours. Once approved, your digital license appears in Wallet. You can add multiple IDs if you have licenses from different states, though only one state's license can be active in Wallet at a time.

If verification fails, you'll see an error message in the Wallet app. Common reasons include a photo that's too blurry, answers that don't match DMV records, or a technical issue on the state's end. You can try again, but if the problem persists, contact your state's DMV directly.

What TSA and police accept right now

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts digital driver's licenses from all seven participating states at airport security checkpoints nationwide. When you reach the ID checkpoint, tell the TSA agent you have a digital ID and hold up your phone. The agent will tap or scan your phone to read the information. You don't need to unlock your phone — the Wallet app displays the license information without requiring a passcode.

Police acceptance is less uniform. Some departments in participating states have trained officers to accept digital IDs during traffic stops, but others have not. There is no national list of which police departments accept them. If an officer declines your digital ID, you should have your physical license available as a backup. Carrying both is the safest approach until acceptance becomes more widespread.

States that are coming soon

Apple has announced that additional states are working on digital driver's license support, but has not published a specific list or timeline. States that have publicly stated they are developing the feature include Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas, though the order and timing of rollout are not confirmed.

To find out whether your state is working on this feature, check your state's DMV website or contact them directly. Some states may launch the feature without major announcement, so if you live in a state that has expressed interest, checking back periodically is worth doing.

Security and privacy on your phone

Your digital license is stored in an encrypted section of your phone that is separate from other apps and data. To display your license in Wallet, you must authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID — a stranger cannot straightforward pick up your phone and see your ID information. When an officer or TSA agent scans or taps your phone, they see only the information on the front of your license; they cannot access your phone's other data or see the back of the license unless you swipe to show it.

If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remove the license from Wallet remotely using Find My iPhone. Your state's DMV does not store a copy of your digital license on its servers; the license lives only on your phone. This means your location data and phone activity are not tracked by your state through the digital license feature.

What happens if your phone dies or breaks

If your phone battery dies, you cannot display your digital license because Wallet requires the phone to be powered on. If you're at an airport or pulled over by police, you'll need to show your physical license instead. This is one reason to keep your physical license with you even after adding it to Wallet.

If your phone breaks or you get a new phone, you can add your license to the new device by going through the verification process again in Wallet. You don't need to contact your state's DMV — the process is the same as the first time. Your old phone's copy of the license becomes inaccessible once you remove it from Wallet or if the phone is no longer in your possession.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license at the DMV or to rent a car?

Not yet. Rental car companies and DMV offices do not currently accept digital licenses, even in states where the feature is available. You'll need your physical license for these transactions. This may change as more businesses update their systems, but there is no announced timeline.

What if I don't have an iPhone — can I use Android?

Apple Wallet is exclusive to iPhones and iPads. Android users cannot add licenses to Google Wallet at this time, though Google has said it is working on the feature. Check back with your phone manufacturer or your state's DMV for updates on Android support.

Do I need to tell the TSA agent I have a digital ID?

Yes. Tell the agent upfront that you have a digital license so they know to expect a phone instead of a physical card. This prevents confusion and speeds up the process. Have your phone ready and unlocked to Wallet before you reach the checkpoint.

What if my state is not on the list yet?

You cannot add your license to Wallet if your state has not launched the feature. Check your state's DMV website to see if they have announced a launch date. In the meantime, keep your physical license with you for all ID purposes.

Can someone else use my digital license if they have my phone?

No. Your phone requires Face ID or Touch ID to display the license, so someone would need to unlock your phone first. Even if they did, TSA and police are trained to verify that the person showing the ID matches the photo on the license.