What adding your driver's license to Apple Wallet means
Adding your driver's license to Apple Wallet stores a digital copy on your iPhone or Apple Watch that you can show to police during a traffic stop or to TSA agents at airport security. You still carry your physical license — the digital version is an extra option. Apple Wallet does not replace your license; it is a second way to present it.
The digital license works only on Apple devices and only in certain states. You scan your physical license with your phone's camera, answer identity verification questions, and Apple stores the encrypted data on your device. When you need to show it, you unlock your phone or watch and hold it up — the officer or agent taps or scans it the same way they would a physical card.
Not every state offers this yet. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, and Utah have rolled out digital driver's license support in Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add the feature over time, but the timeline varies.
Key Takeaways
- You add your driver's license to Apple Wallet by opening the Wallet app, tapping the plus sign, selecting "Driver's License or State ID", and scanning your physical license with your phone's camera.
- Apple Wallet stores an encrypted copy of your license on your device that you can show to police or TSA without handing over your physical card.
- Only certain states currently support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet, and your state must be one of them for the feature to work.
- You must verify your identity during setup, usually by answering security questions or providing additional information Apple uses to confirm you are the license holder.
- Your physical driver's license remains your primary ID — the digital version is a convenience option, not a replacement.
Which states support digital driver's licenses right now
Arizona was the first state to roll out digital driver's license support in Apple Wallet in March 2023. Since then, a growing list of states has added the feature. The states currently offering it are Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, and Utah.
If your state is not on this list, you cannot add your license to Apple Wallet yet, even if you have an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature depends on your state's Department of Motor Vehicles signing an agreement with Apple and updating their systems to issue digital licenses. There is no set timeline for when other states will join, though most major states are expected to eventually offer it.
You can check whether your state supports digital licenses by opening the Wallet app on your iPhone, tapping the plus sign in the upper right corner, and selecting "Driver's License or State ID". If your state is not ready, the app will tell you so.
Step-by-step: adding your license to Apple Wallet
Start with your iPhone or iPad running iOS 15.1 or later, or an Apple Watch running watchOS 8.1 or later. You will need your physical driver's license in front of you and a working internet connection.
Open the Wallet app and tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. The app will ask you to choose which state issued your license — select yours from the list. If your state is not shown, it does not yet support digital licenses in Apple Wallet.
Next, you will scan your physical license. Position your phone so the front of your license is centered in the frame on your screen, then tap the camera button. The app will scan the card and extract the information printed on it. Repeat this for the back of your license. Keep the card steady and make sure the lighting is clear so the camera can read all the text.
After scanning, Apple will ask you to take a selfie to verify your identity. You will also answer security questions — usually about your address, birth date, or other details from your license. These questions confirm that you are the person whose license you just scanned. Answer honestly and carefully; incorrect answers will cause the verification to fail.
Once Apple verifies your identity, your license will appear in your Wallet. You can now show it on your iPhone or Apple Watch by opening Wallet, selecting your license, and holding your device up to be scanned or viewed.
How officers and TSA agents use your digital license
When you show your digital license to a police officer during a traffic stop, they can tap or scan it using an NFC reader — the same device they use to read physical licenses in some states. The officer sees the same information they would see on your physical card: your name, date of birth, address, license number, and photo.
At airport security, TSA agents can scan your digital license the same way they scan a physical one. You hold your iPhone or Apple Watch up to their scanner, and the information transfers just as it would from a printed card. The agent does not need to touch your phone or see your screen.
Your digital license is encrypted on your device, which means Apple and your state cannot see when or where you show it. The information is only shared when you actively present it to someone with a scanner. This is different from your physical license, which leaves no record of where it has been shown.
Identity verification during setup
Apple requires you to verify your identity before your digital license becomes active. The verification process uses information from your state's DMV records to confirm you are the person whose license you scanned. This typically involves answering security questions about details on your license or your personal history.
You may be asked about your address, the date you got your license, your middle name, or other biographical details. Answer based on what is actually on your license and in your DMV file, not what you think might be there. If your answers do not match the state's records, the verification will fail and you will have to try again.
If verification fails multiple times, contact your state's DMV to make sure your records are correct. Sometimes outdated or incorrect information in the state system causes the verification to reject you even though you answered correctly. The DMV can update your file so you can try again.
What happens if you lose your phone or change devices
If your iPhone or Apple Watch is lost or stolen, your digital license is encrypted on that device and cannot be accessed without unlocking it. The thief would need your passcode or Face ID to open your phone and then access Wallet. Your physical license remains the only unencrypted copy of your ID.
If you get a new iPhone or Apple Watch, you can add your license to the new device by repeating the setup process. You will scan your physical license again and verify your identity again. Apple does not automatically transfer your digital license to a new device the way it does with other Wallet items.
If your physical license is lost or stolen, you will need to get a replacement from your state's DMV before you can add a digital license to a new phone. The digital license is tied to your physical license, so you cannot create one without the physical card to scan.
Updating your digital license when your physical one changes
If you renew your driver's license, get a new photo, or change your address, you will need to update your digital license in Apple Wallet. Remove the old license from Wallet and add the new one by scanning your updated physical license and verifying your identity again.
Your state's DMV updates your records when you renew or make changes. Once those updates are in the system, you can add the new version to Wallet. There is no automatic update — you have to manually remove the old one and add the new one.
If you change your address but have not yet renewed your license, your physical card will still show the old address. Your digital license will reflect whatever information is on the physical card you scan, so it will also show the old address until you renew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my digital license if my phone dies?
No. Your digital license lives on your device and requires power to display. If your battery is dead, you cannot show it. This is why you should always carry your physical license as your primary ID. The digital version is a convenience when your phone is charged, not a replacement.
Do I need to turn on location services for my digital license to work?
No. Your digital license does not require location services to function. It is stored locally on your device and does not track or share your location when you show it to an officer or TSA agent.
What if an officer says they cannot scan my digital license?
Some police departments have not yet updated their equipment to read digital licenses, even in states where they are available. If an officer cannot scan it, show your physical license instead. You are not required to use the digital version, and having it does not change your legal obligation to carry a physical license.
Can I add my state ID instead of my driver's license?
Yes. If your state supports digital IDs in Apple Wallet, you can add a state ID card the same way you add a driver's license. The process is identical — you scan the card, verify your identity, and the digital version appears in Wallet.
Is my digital license valid in other states?
Your digital license is issued by your home state and is valid wherever your physical license is valid. If you travel to another state, your digital license works the same way it does at home — officers and TSA agents can scan it if their equipment supports it. However, not all states have updated their scanners yet, so you should always carry your physical license as a backup.