What a mobile driver's license actually is
A mobile driver's license (mDL) is a digital copy of your state-issued driver's license that you store in a digital wallet app on your smartphone. It contains the same information as your physical card — your name, address, date of birth, license number, and photo — but lives in an encrypted format on your phone instead of in your wallet.
The key difference from a screenshot or PDF is that mDL uses technology that lets you share only the information a business actually needs. When you show your mDL at a bar, the bartender sees your age and photo but not your address. When you show it to a police officer during a traffic stop, they can read it with a special scanner without touching your phone. Your phone stays in your hands the entire time.
Not every state offers mDL yet, and not every business accepts it. Acceptance is growing, but your physical license remains the legal document you must carry while driving.
Key Takeaways
- Mobile driver's licenses are available in about a dozen states, with more rolling out each year, and you add them through your phone's digital wallet app.
- You can store an mDL alongside your physical license — having the digital version does not replace the paper one.
- Bars, retailers, and some police departments can read mDL, but acceptance varies by location and business type.
- Your mDL is encrypted on your phone and only displays information the business needs, unlike a screenshot which shows everything.
Which states currently offer mobile driver's licenses
As of early 2024, mDL is available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Utah. More states are testing the technology or have announced plans to launch it, but the list changes. Before you attempt to add an mDL, check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website to confirm whether your state offers it.
Each state controls its own rollout timeline and which businesses accept the digital version. A state may offer mDL but only a subset of police departments or retailers may be equipped to read it. This means your mDL might work at one store and not another, even in the same state.
How to add your driver's license to your phone's wallet
The process differs slightly between iPhone and Android, but both start the same way: open your phone's digital wallet app. On iPhone, this is the Wallet app (the one with a card icon). On Android, it is Google Wallet.
In your wallet app, look for an option to add a driver's license or ID card — the exact wording varies by phone and state. Tap that option. Your phone will ask you to take a photo of the front and back of your physical driver's license, then a selfie. The app uses these images to verify your identity with your state's DMV database.
After you submit the photos, your state's DMV will review your request, usually within a few days. Once approved, your mDL appears in your wallet app. You do not need to do anything else — it stays there until you delete it or your license expires.
If your state has not yet launched mDL, the option to add one will not appear in your wallet app. Check back periodically, or visit your state DMV's website to sign up for notifications when the feature becomes available.
When and where you can use your mobile driver's license
You can show your mDL at any business that has a scanner or reader for it. This includes many bars, restaurants, and retailers that check age. Some police departments also have mobile scanners that can read mDL during traffic stops, though this is not yet universal.
The safest approach is to assume your mDL will not be accepted unless the business displays a sign saying it is, or unless you ask first. Many businesses still use older card readers that only work with physical plastic. If a business declines your mDL, your physical license will work instead.
You should always carry your physical driver's license while driving, even if your state offers mDL. The law still requires you to present a physical license to a police officer if you are pulled over, unless that officer has a mobile scanner. Do not assume your mDL alone is enough.
Security and privacy with a mobile driver's license
Your mDL is encrypted on your phone, meaning the data is scrambled and unreadable without the right key. When you show your mDL to a business, your phone connects to their reader wirelessly — they do not read or store your information. The transaction happens on your device and then ends.
Unlike a screenshot or photo of your license, an mDL does not display your full address or license number to every person who sees it. You control what information appears. Some businesses only need to verify your age, so your mDL can show just your photo and birthdate, hiding your address entirely.
If your phone is lost or stolen, your mDL is protected by your phone's lock screen. A thief cannot access your wallet without unlocking your phone. You can also remove your mDL from your wallet at any time, or contact your state DMV to deactivate it remotely.
What happens if your license expires or changes
When your physical driver's license expires, your mDL expires at the same time. You will need to renew both through your state DMV. Once you renew your physical license, you can add the new one to your wallet app using the same process as before — take photos of the front and back, submit them, and wait for approval.
If you change your address, name, or other information on your license, you must update your physical license first through your state DMV. Once that change is processed, you can update your mDL by removing the old one from your wallet and adding the new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need to carry my physical driver's license if I have it on my phone?
Yes. Your physical license is still the legal document required while driving. Use your mDL when it is convenient and accepted, but always have your physical license with you as a backup. Many police officers and businesses do not yet have readers for mDL, so your plastic card is still essential.
What if my phone dies or runs out of battery?
Your mDL will not work if your phone is powered off or the battery is dead. This is another reason to always carry your physical license. Some phones show a low-battery warning on the lock screen that lets you view wallet contents even when the phone is off, but this is not may provide on all devices.
Can someone screenshot my mDL and use it?
A screenshot of your mDL is just an image and cannot be scanned by a reader the way the real mDL can. However, a screenshot still shows your personal information, so you should not share it. The encrypted mDL in your wallet is far more find than any image file.
Is mDL accepted by rental car companies or airlines?
Most rental car companies and airlines still require a physical ID. mDL acceptance at these businesses is limited and varies by location. Call ahead or check the company's website before assuming your mDL will work for travel or car rental.
What if my state offers mDL but my phone is too old?
mDL requires a relatively recent phone with a find processor. If your phone is more than five or six years old, it may not support the feature. Check your phone's specifications or contact your phone manufacturer to confirm whether your device can store an mDL.