How to Add Your Driver's License to Apple Wallet

Yes, you can add your driver's license to Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch

Apple Wallet now holds your actual driver's license or state ID in digital form on your iPhone or Apple Watch. This is not a photo or screenshot — it is a cryptographically secured version of your license that you can present at TSA checkpoints, rental car counters, and some retail locations. The feature rolled out in select states starting in 2021 and has expanded to cover most U.S. states and territories.

The digital license works alongside your physical card, not instead of it. You still carry your plastic license. The digital version is an additional option for situations where you have your phone but not your wallet, or when a business accepts it. Not every location accepts digital licenses yet, so you will need the physical card as backup.

Key Takeaways

Your state must support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet — currently available in most states but not all, and you can check your state's status directly in the Wallet app.
You need an iPhone XS or later, or Apple Watch Series 4 or later, running the current version of iOS or watchOS.
The setup process requires your physical license, a photo of yourself taken by your phone, and completion of an identity verification step through your state's DMV system.
TSA accepts digital licenses at airport security checkpoints in participating states, but many other businesses do not yet, so keep your physical license with you.
Your digital license is encrypted on your device and requires Face ID or Touch ID to display, so it is not visible to others unless you unlock it.

Which States Support Digital Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet

Availability varies by state and continues to expand. States that currently support digital licenses in Apple Wallet include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This list changes regularly as more states implement the feature.

To check whether your state supports it, open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the plus sign to add a new card, and look for the "Driver's License or State ID" option. If your state does not appear in the list, the feature is not yet available there. You can check your state's DMV website for announcements about when digital licenses will launch.

Device Requirements and iOS Version

Your iPhone must be an XS model or newer to add a digital license. This includes iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and all newer models. If you have an older iPhone, you cannot use this feature.

Your device must also run iOS 15.1 or later. Check your iOS version by going to Settings, then General, then About. If you are running an older version, update your iPhone before attempting to add your license. For Apple Watch, you need Series 4 or later running watchOS 8.1 or later.

Step-by-Step Process to Add Your License

Start by opening the Wallet app and tapping 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 your state and confirm that you understand the license will be stored digitally.

Next, you will need your physical driver's license in front of you. The app will guide you through taking a photo of the front and back of your license. Make sure the images are clear and all text is readable. After that, you will take a selfie — a photo of your face. The app uses this to verify your identity.

Once photos are submitted, your state's DMV system will verify your identity. This step happens in the background and typically takes a few minutes, though it can take longer depending on your state's processing speed. You will receive a notification when verification is complete. At that point, your digital license appears in Wallet and is ready to use.

How to Present Your Digital License

When you need to show your license, open Wallet and tap your digital license. Your phone will ask you to authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID. Once you unlock it, the license displays on your screen. The person checking it can see your photo, name, date of birth, license number, and expiration date — the same information on your physical card.

At TSA checkpoints, tell the agent you have a digital license. They will ask you to unlock your phone and show the Wallet app. The agent scans or reads the information from your screen. At rental car counters and retail locations, the process is similar, though not all businesses accept digital licenses yet. If a business declines the digital version, show your physical license instead.

Your digital license is encrypted on your device. No one can see it without your phone, and they cannot access it without your Face ID or Touch ID. The information is not transmitted to Apple or your state unless you explicitly present it.

Where Digital Licenses Are Currently Accepted

TSA accepts digital driver's licenses and state IDs at airport security checkpoints in all participating states. This is the most widespread use case. You can use your digital license instead of your physical one at the checkpoint.

Some rental car companies accept digital licenses, but policies vary by company and location. Call ahead or check the company's website before your reservation. Retail businesses that check ID — liquor stores, age-restricted purchases — generally do not yet accept digital licenses, so you will need your physical card for those transactions.

Some banks and financial institutions are beginning to accept digital IDs for account opening and verification, but this is still limited. Your state may also accept digital licenses for certain DMV transactions, such as license renewal or address changes. Check your state DMV's website for specifics.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If your state does not appear in the Wallet app, either your state has not yet launched the feature or your device does not meet the requirements. Check your iOS version first. If you are up to date and your state is on the supported list, try closing and reopening the Wallet app, or restart your iPhone.

If your identity verification fails, the most common reason is that your selfie does not match your license photo clearly enough. Try again with better lighting and make sure your face is fully visible and centered in the frame. If verification fails a second time, contact your state's DMV directly — they can investigate why the verification did not go through.

If your digital license expires, you will need to renew your physical license first. Once your new physical license arrives, you can add it to Wallet using the same process. The old digital license will no longer work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license instead of my physical one?

At TSA checkpoints and some rental car companies, yes. For most other situations — liquor stores, banks, police stops — you should carry your physical license as backup. Not all businesses accept digital licenses yet, so having both is the safest approach.

What happens if I lose my phone?

Your digital license is encrypted and locked behind Face ID or Touch ID, so someone who finds your phone cannot access it. You can remove the license from Wallet remotely using Find My iPhone, or straightforward delete it from Wallet when you get a new phone. Your physical license remains valid.

Can I add my digital license to my Apple Watch?

Yes, if your watch is Series 4 or later. Open the Wallet app on your watch, add your license the same way you would on your iPhone, and it will sync to your watch. You can then present it from your wrist at TSA checkpoints and other locations that accept digital licenses.

Do I need to renew my digital license separately?

No. When you renew your physical license through your state DMV, you can add the new license to Wallet using the same process. The old digital version will expire automatically when your physical license expires.

Is my information safe in Apple Wallet?

Your license information is encrypted on your device and never shared with Apple. It only displays when you unlock it with Face ID or Touch ID. The information is only transmitted to the person or organization you show it to, the same way your physical license works.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.