Yes, but only if your state has released a digital license and your phone supports it
You can store a digital driver's license in Apple Wallet on an iPhone or Apple Watch, but only in states that have released this feature. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah have made digital licenses available through Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add this feature, but the timeline varies by state.
A digital license in Apple Wallet is not a replacement for your physical card — it is a second form of ID that you can show on your phone screen. Law enforcement and some businesses accept it, but you should still carry your physical license because not all officers or locations recognize the digital version yet.
The process is straightforward if your state supports it: you open the Wallet app, tap the plus icon, select "Driver's License or State ID," follow the prompts to verify your identity, and the digital license appears on your phone within minutes or hours depending on your state's system.
Key Takeaways
- Digital driver's licenses are available in 15 states as of now, and you can add yours to Apple Wallet only if your state has released the feature.
- A digital license on your phone does not replace your physical card — you should carry both because acceptance varies by location and officer.
- To add a digital license, open Wallet, tap the plus icon, select "Driver's License or State ID," and complete identity verification through your state's system.
- Your state's DMV controls the rollout timeline and which documents you need to verify your identity, so requirements differ by state.
Which states currently offer digital licenses in Apple Wallet
The following states have released digital driver's licenses that work with Apple Wallet: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah. Each state manages its own rollout, so the feature may not be available to all residents in that state when ready after launch.
Apple has announced that more states will add digital licenses over time, but there is no published schedule. If your state is not on this list, you cannot add a digital license to Wallet yet, even if you have an iPhone that supports the feature. Check your state's DMV website or contact them directly to learn about digital licenses are coming and when they expect to launch.
What you need to add a digital license to Apple Wallet
To add a digital license, you need an iPhone 15 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 9 or later. Older phones and watches cannot store digital licenses, even if your state offers them. You also need to be in a state where the feature is available and have an active driver's license or state ID issued by that state's DMV.
Your state's DMV will ask you to verify your identity during the setup process. This usually means taking a photo of your face and a photo of your physical license, similar to what you do when renewing online. Some states may ask additional questions or require you to verify information from your license record. The exact requirements depend on your state's system.
Step-by-step process to add your digital license
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Tap the plus icon in the upper right corner. Scroll down and select "Driver's License or State ID." Choose your state from the list. Follow the on-screen prompts, which will ask you to take a photo of your face and a photo of your physical license using your phone's camera.
Your state's DMV system will verify the information you provided. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on the state and how busy their system is. Once approved, your digital license will appear in your Wallet. You can then use it by opening Wallet, selecting your license, and holding your phone or watch up to a reader or showing it to an officer.
If verification fails, Wallet will tell you why — usually because the photo was unclear, the information did not match your DMV record, or there was a technical issue. You can try again when ready in most cases. If you continue to have problems, contact your state's DMV for help.
How to use your digital license once it is in Wallet
When you need to show your license, open Wallet and tap your digital license. Your phone will ask you to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode before displaying the license. This security step prevents someone else from using your license if they get your phone.
You can show your digital license to law enforcement during a traffic stop, at airports for TSA screening, or at businesses that accept it. Not all officers or locations recognize digital licenses yet, so be prepared to show your physical card as well. Some states have told law enforcement that digital licenses are acceptable, but adoption is still growing.
If your phone battery dies, you cannot show your digital license. Apple Wallet has a feature called "Power Reserve" that keeps your license accessible for a short time after the battery dies, but this only works if you have set it up beforehand. Check your phone's settings to enable Power Reserve for your digital license.
Differences between digital and physical licenses
Your digital license contains the same information as your physical card — your name, address, date of birth, license number, and expiration date. The main difference is that it lives on your phone instead of in your wallet. A digital license is not a separate license; it is a digital version of the same license you already have.
Your physical license remains valid and does not expire when you add it to Wallet. You should keep carrying it because many places still do not accept digital licenses, and some situations require a physical card — for example, if your phone is lost or broken, or if you are in an area without cell service. Law enforcement in some states has not yet been trained to accept digital licenses, so carrying both protects you.
If your physical license expires, your digital license expires at the same time. You will need to renew both through your state's DMV. When you renew your physical license, you can add the new one to Wallet using the same process.
What happens if you lose your phone or it is stolen
If your phone is lost or stolen, your digital license is protected by your phone's security — Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode. Someone cannot use your license without unlocking your phone first. However, you should still report the loss to your state's DMV if you are concerned about identity theft.
Once you get a new phone, you can add your digital license to Wallet again using the same process. You do not need to get a new physical license or contact the DMV first. Your original license is still valid; you are just adding it to a different phone.
If your phone is stolen and you are worried the thief may have accessed your license information, contact your state's DMV and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus. This is the same step you would take if your physical license was stolen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use a digital license or can I keep just my physical one?
You do not have to add your license to Wallet. Your physical license remains valid and is accepted everywhere. A digital license is optional and meant to be a convenience. You can choose to carry only your physical card if you prefer.
Can I delete my digital license from Wallet if I change my mind?
Yes. Open Wallet, tap your digital license, tap the three dots in the upper right, and select "Remove." Your physical license is not affected. You can add it back to Wallet later if you want to.
What if my state is not on the list yet?
Check your state's DMV website for announcements about digital licenses. You can also contact your state's DMV directly to ask when they plan to launch the feature. More states are expected to add digital licenses over time, but there is no set timeline.
Will my digital license work at the airport or for TSA screening?
Some airports and TSA checkpoints accept digital licenses, but not all. Call ahead or check the TSA website to confirm whether your airport accepts them. For now, it is safer to bring your physical license when flying.
Can I add my license to other digital wallets like Google Pay?
As of now, digital driver's licenses only work with Apple Wallet. Google has announced plans to support digital licenses on Android phones, but the feature is not yet available. Check back with your state's DMV for updates on Android support.