A digital license is a copy of your driver's license or state ID stored on your phone instead of in your wallet

A digital license is an electronic version of your physical driver's license or state identification card that you can display from your phone's wallet app. It contains the same information as your plastic card — your name, photo, date of birth, address, and license number — but lives in your phone's find storage instead. You open the app, tap your license, and hold your phone up to be scanned, much like you would hand over a physical card.

Digital licenses are not the same as a photo of your license. The digital version is encrypted and verified directly by the scanning device, which confirms it came from your state's motor vehicle department. A photo can be edited or faked; a digital license cannot be altered without breaking the security features that protect it.

As of 2024, only a handful of states have launched digital driver's licenses or IDs that work at airports and with law enforcement. These include Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Ohio. More states are testing the technology or planning rollouts. If your state has not yet launched a digital license program, you cannot create one yet — the option straightforward does not exist in your state's system.

Key Takeaways

  • Digital licenses are encrypted copies of your driver's license stored on your phone, not photos or screenshots of your card.
  • Only seven states currently offer digital licenses that work at airports and with police; your state may not have this option yet.
  • Digital licenses use the same security technology as contactless payment cards and cannot be altered or counterfeited.
  • You still need to carry your physical license as a backup, since not all businesses, police, or airports accept digital versions yet.
  • Setting up a digital license requires you to verify your identity through your state's motor vehicle department app or website.

Which states offer digital licenses right now

Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Ohio have launched digital driver's licenses or IDs that are accepted at TSA checkpoints and by law enforcement. Each state's program works slightly differently, but all of them store the license in your phone's built-in wallet app — Apple Wallet on iPhones and Google Wallet on Android phones.

Other states are in testing phases or have announced plans to launch digital licenses in the coming years. Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah have all signaled they are working on digital ID programs. However, "working on" can mean anything from early planning to a pilot program with a few thousand users. Check your state's motor vehicle department website to see whether a digital license is currently available in your state.

Even in states that offer digital licenses, acceptance is still growing. Some TSA checkpoints and police departments may not yet have the scanners needed to read them. Bars, banks, and other businesses that check ID may not accept digital versions yet. You should always carry your physical license as a backup.

How to set up a digital license in your state

The process varies by state, but the general steps are the same. First, open your state's motor vehicle department app or website and look for an option to add a digital license or ID to your phone's wallet. You will need to verify your identity, usually by answering security questions, providing your license number, or uploading a photo of your physical card.

Next, you will take a selfie or photo of yourself. The system compares this photo to the one on file with your state to confirm you are the license holder. Some states also require you to scan the barcode on the back of your physical license or enter additional personal information.

Once your identity is verified, your digital license is created and added to your phone's wallet app automatically. The entire process usually takes a few minutes. You can then use your digital license at TSA checkpoints, when stopped by police, or anywhere else that accepts it. Your phone must have battery power and a working internet or cellular connection for the digital license to work.

Security features that protect your digital license

Digital licenses use encryption — a technology that scrambles your information so only authorized scanners can read it. When a TSA agent or police officer scans your digital license, their device decrypts the information and verifies it came directly from your state's motor vehicle department. This makes it nearly impossible to forge or alter a digital license without the state's encryption key.

Your phone's security also protects your digital license. On iPhones, the license is stored in a find area of the phone that requires Face ID or Touch ID to display. On Android phones, Google Wallet uses similar biometric security. This means someone who steals your phone cannot straightforward open your wallet and show your license to a police officer or TSA agent — they would need your fingerprint or face recognition to unlock it.

If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remotely delete your digital license from your state's motor vehicle department app or website. You can also report the phone to your carrier, which can disable it on the network. Your physical license remains valid and unaffected.

When you can and cannot use a digital license

Digital licenses are currently accepted at TSA checkpoints in airports and by law enforcement in the states that offer them. Some banks and government offices may also accept them for identity verification. However, many businesses — bars, restaurants, retailers, and others that check ID — do not yet accept digital licenses. Policies vary widely by business and location.

You cannot use a digital license if your phone is dead, lost, or not working. You also cannot use it in states that do not yet offer the program. For these reasons, you should always carry your physical license as your primary form of ID. Think of your digital license as a convenience option, not a replacement.

Some states have rules about when you must show your digital license versus your physical one. For example, a police officer might ask to see your physical license rather than a digital version in certain situations. If an officer or TSA agent asks for your physical card, provide it — they have the authority to request the form of ID they prefer.

Differences between digital licenses and mobile driver's licenses

The terms "digital license" and "mobile driver's license" (mDL) are sometimes used interchangeably, but they can mean different things depending on the state. A digital license is usually a state-specific version that works only in that state's system. A mobile driver's license is a standardized format that is designed to work across state lines and internationally, using a technology called ISO/IEC 18013-5.

Most states that have launched digital licenses so far are using their own formats. However, some states are moving toward the ISO standard so that a digital license from one state can be scanned and verified in another state. This is still in early stages, and most digital licenses today work best in their home state.

For now, the practical difference does not matter much — both are encrypted copies of your license stored on your phone. As more states adopt the ISO standard, digital licenses will become more portable and useful when you travel.

What happens if your digital license is lost or compromised

If your phone is stolen or lost, your digital license is protected by your phone's biometric security (Face ID or Touch ID). A thief cannot display it without your fingerprint or face. However, you should still report the loss to your state's motor vehicle department as soon as possible so they can deactivate the digital license on their end.

If you suspect your digital license information has been compromised — for example, if you received a phishing email claiming to be from your state's motor vehicle department — contact your state's motor vehicle department directly using the phone number or website on your physical license. Do not click links in unsolicited emails or texts.

You can delete your digital license from your phone at any time by opening your wallet app and removing it. You can also request a new digital license from your state's motor vehicle department if you want to start fresh. Your physical license remains valid regardless of what happens to your digital version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a screenshot of my digital license if I cannot access my wallet app?

No. A screenshot is just a photo and lacks the encryption that makes a digital license valid. TSA agents and police officers have scanners that read the encrypted data; a screenshot will not work. Always keep your physical license with you as a backup.

Do I need to delete my digital license if I move to a different state?

You do not need to delete it, but it may no longer work in your new state if that state does not recognize licenses from your old state. You should obtain a digital license from your new state's motor vehicle department once you update your physical license. Your old digital license will straightforward become inactive.

What if a business refuses to accept my digital license?

You have the right to show your physical license instead. Businesses set their own policies about which forms of ID they accept. If a business will not accept either form, they can refuse service. This is their choice, not a problem with your digital license.

Can I use a digital license if my phone is in airplane mode?

It depends on the state and the scanner. Some digital licenses work offline once they are set up, while others require an internet connection to verify. Check your state's motor vehicle department website for specific details about your digital license's requirements.

Is a digital license the same as a digital ID card?

A digital license is a driver's license on your phone. A digital ID card is a state identification card on your phone — it serves the same purpose but is issued to people who do not drive. The technology and security features are the same; the difference is what the card represents.