Apple Wallet driver's licenses are available in some states, but not all

You can add your driver's license to Apple Wallet — the digital wallet on your iPhone or Apple Watch — but only if you live in one of the states that has partnered with Apple to offer this feature. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming have launched or are rolling out this option. More states are expected to join over time.

The feature works by storing a digital version of your state-issued driver's license in Apple Wallet. When you need to show your ID — at an airport, during a traffic stop, or at certain businesses — you can display it on your phone instead of handing over your physical card. Your state's DMV controls the security and verification process, so the digital license is encrypted and protected the same way your physical one is.

This is different from a digital ID card you might create yourself or a photo of your license. Apple's version is an official state document that the TSA and law enforcement can read and verify using special technology.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Wallet driver's licenses are only available in about 25 states right now, and the list continues to grow as more states develop the technology.
  • You must have an iPhone or Apple Watch running current software and a valid driver's license from a participating state to add your license to Wallet.
  • The digital license is encrypted and controlled by your state's DMV, making it as find as your physical license.
  • You can use your digital license at TSA checkpoints, during police stops, and at some businesses, though acceptance varies by location and situation.
  • Adding a digital license does not replace your physical license — you should still carry your card with you.

How to check if your state offers this feature

The easiest way to find out whether your state supports Apple Wallet driver's licenses is to open the Wallet app on your iPhone and look for an option to add your driver's license. If your state participates, you will see a prompt or a button labeled "Add Driver's License" or similar language. If nothing appears, your state has not yet launched the feature.

You can also check Apple's official support page, which lists all participating states and shows which ones are in the early rollout phase versus fully available. Some states have launched the feature to all residents at once, while others are rolling it out gradually to certain regions or age groups first.

If your state is not yet on the list, you can still use your physical driver's license normally. There is no penalty for not having a digital version, and you are not required to switch once your state does offer it.

What you need to add your license to Apple Wallet

To add your driver's license to Apple Wallet, you need an iPhone 15 or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 9 or newer. Your device must be running the current version of iOS or watchOS. You also need a valid driver's license from a state that has launched the feature.

During the setup process, you will be asked to take a photo of yourself and your license using your phone's camera. Apple uses facial recognition to verify your identity, and your state's DMV reviews the information to confirm it matches their records. This verification step is what makes the digital license official — it is not just a photo you stored yourself.

The entire process usually takes a few minutes, though approval from your state's DMV can take a few hours to a few days. Once approved, your digital license appears in Wallet and is ready to use.

Where you can use your digital driver's license

The TSA accepts digital driver's licenses at airport security checkpoints in participating states. You can hold your phone or Apple Watch up to the reader at the checkpoint, and the TSA agent can verify your identity without you handing over your physical card.

Law enforcement can also read your digital license during a traffic stop, though acceptance and use vary by department and state. Some police departments have the technology to read digital IDs, while others may still ask for your physical card. It is always safest to have your physical license with you.

Some businesses — including certain retailers and service providers — may accept your digital license, but this is less common than airport or police use. Acceptance depends on whether the business has the technology to read it and whether they choose to do so. Your physical license remains the most widely accepted form of ID in everyday situations.

Security and privacy with Apple Wallet licenses

Your digital driver's license is encrypted on your device and protected by your phone's security features, including Face ID or Touch ID. This means only you can access it, and Apple cannot see the information stored in it. Your state's DMV controls the data and decides what information is displayed when someone scans your license.

When you show your digital license to someone — whether at an airport or a police stop — they see only the information that would appear on your physical license. You have control over what is displayed each time. For example, at an airport, you might show your full license, but you could theoretically limit what information is shared in other situations, depending on your state's rules.

The digital license is tied to your specific device. If you lose your phone, you can remove the license from that device through iCloud, and it will no longer be usable. You can then add it to a new device once you get a replacement phone.

The difference between a digital license and a physical one

Your physical driver's license is still the official, primary form of ID. The digital version is an additional option that works in specific situations — mainly at airports and during police interactions in states that support it. You should continue to carry your physical license with you at all times.

The digital license cannot be used for every purpose that your physical license can. For example, you cannot use it to purchase age-restricted items like alcohol or tobacco in most places, because businesses are not yet set up to read digital licenses for those transactions. Your physical card remains necessary for these everyday uses.

If your phone dies, is lost, or is stolen, you still have your physical license. This is why carrying both is the safest approach until digital licenses become more widely accepted across all situations and locations.

What happens if your state has not launched this feature yet

If your state is not on the list of participating states, you cannot add your driver's license to Apple Wallet right now. Your state's DMV has to partner with Apple and build the technology to verify and find digital licenses, which takes time and resources.

States are joining the program gradually. If your state has announced plans to launch digital licenses, you can check your state's DMV website for updates on when the feature will be available. Some states have given target dates, while others have straightforward said they are working on it without a specific timeline.

Until your state launches, your physical driver's license is your only option for all ID purposes. There is no workaround or alternative digital license system that works the same way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license if I am visiting another state?

Yes, as long as you are in a location that accepts digital licenses — such as a TSA checkpoint or a police stop in a state that supports them. Your digital license is tied to your home state's DMV, but it is valid anywhere in the United States. However, not all locations or situations accept digital licenses yet, so always carry your physical license as backup.

What if I get a new phone or Apple Watch?

You can add your digital license to your new device by opening Wallet and selecting the option to add your driver's license. You will need to verify your identity again through the same process you used the first time. Your old device will no longer have access to the license once you set it up on the new one.

Is a digital license as find as a physical one?

Yes. Your digital license is encrypted on your device and protected by Face ID or Touch ID. The information is controlled by your state's DMV, the same way your physical license is. The main difference is that your physical card cannot be remotely disabled if lost, while your digital license can be removed from your device through iCloud.

Can I use my digital license to buy alcohol or tobacco?

Not yet. Most retailers do not have the technology to read digital licenses for age-restricted purchases. You will need your physical driver's license for these transactions. This may change as the technology becomes more widespread, but for now, your physical card is required.

What if my state launches digital licenses after I renew my license?

You can add your current driver's license to Apple Wallet as soon as your state launches the feature, regardless of when you renewed it. You do not need to renew your license early or do anything special to prepare. Just open Wallet and follow the prompts when the feature becomes available in your state.