Yes, but only if your state offers it and your phone supports it

You can store a digital copy of your driver's license in Apple Wallet on an iPhone or Apple Watch, but this only works in certain states and only on newer Apple devices. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming have launched digital driver's license programs. More states are expected to add this feature over time, but it is not yet available everywhere.

A digital driver's license in Apple Wallet is not the same as a physical license. You still need to carry your physical card for most situations. The digital version is meant to work at airport security checkpoints and, in some cases, when you interact with police during traffic stops — though police acceptance varies by state and department. It is not yet accepted at bars, banks, or most other places that check ID.

Your phone must be an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or newer to add a driver's license to Wallet. Apple Watch Series 9 or later can also display the license, but only if it is paired with a compatible iPhone. Older models cannot store digital IDs.

Key Takeaways

  • Digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet work only in 20 states so far, and you must check whether your state offers the feature before attempting to add your license.
  • Your iPhone must be an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, or your Apple Watch must be Series 9 or later paired with a compatible iPhone.
  • A digital license is not a replacement for your physical card and is currently accepted mainly at TSA airport checkpoints and some police interactions, not at bars or banks.
  • Adding your license to Wallet requires your state's DMV or driver's license agency to verify your identity, and the process takes a few minutes to complete.
  • If your phone is lost, stolen, or powered off, you cannot display your digital license, so you should always carry your physical card as a backup.

Which states have digital driver's license programs

The states listed above have launched digital driver's license programs through Apple Wallet. Each state's DMV or equivalent agency manages its own rollout, so the exact features and acceptance rules differ slightly by state. Some states rolled out the feature to all residents at once, while others started with a pilot program for certain groups before expanding.

To find out whether your state offers digital licenses, visit your state's DMV website and search for "digital driver's license" or "Apple Wallet." The DMV will tell you whether the program is live, whether you are in a pilot group, or when it will launch in your area. Do not rely on Apple's Wallet app alone to determine availability — the app may show the option to add a license even if your state has not yet launched the program.

How to add your driver's license to Apple Wallet

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone 15 Pro or newer and tap the plus sign to add a new card or ID. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. The app will ask you to choose your state and then guide you through a verification process. You will need to take a photo of the front and back of your physical license, and then take a selfie so Apple and your state's DMV can confirm your identity.

The verification process is encrypted and happens between your phone and your state's DMV — Apple does not store your license data on its servers. Once your state's DMV approves the request, your digital license appears in Wallet. This usually takes a few minutes, but can take longer if the DMV system is busy. You will receive a notification when the license is ready to use.

If you have an Apple Watch Series 9 or later paired with your iPhone, the digital license will automatically sync to your watch. You can display it on either device.

Where you can and cannot use a digital driver's license

The main place a digital driver's license works is at TSA airport security checkpoints. You can hold up your phone or Apple Watch to the ID scanner instead of handing over your physical card. This is the most widely accepted use case across all participating states.

Some states have also enabled digital licenses for police interactions during traffic stops. However, police acceptance is not uniform — it depends on whether your local police department has been trained to accept digital IDs and whether individual officers choose to use the feature. You should not assume a police officer will accept a digital license; always have your physical card available.

A digital driver's license does not work at bars, restaurants, banks, or retail stores that check ID. It also does not work for age verification online or at gas stations. For all of these situations, you must show your physical card. The digital version is a supplement to your physical license, not a replacement.

What happens if your phone dies or gets lost

If your iPhone is powered off, the digital license cannot be displayed, even if you have a passcode or Face ID set up. This is a security feature to prevent someone who steals your phone from using the license. If your phone dies at the airport, you will need to show your physical driver's license instead.

If your phone is lost or stolen, the digital license is tied to that specific device. You can remove it by signing into your Apple account on another device and revoking access, or by contacting your state's DMV. The license does not automatically transfer to a new phone — you will need to add it again using the same verification process.

Because of these limitations, you should always carry your physical driver's license with you, even if you have a digital copy in Wallet. The digital version is convenient at airports, but it is not reliable enough to be your only form of ID.

Security and privacy considerations

Your digital driver's license data is encrypted on your phone and is not stored on Apple's servers or in iCloud. When you show your license at an airport or to a police officer, only the information needed for that specific transaction is shared — the TSA scanner, for example, does not receive your full address or license number unless it is required for that checkpoint.

You control what information is displayed each time you show your license. Before you hand your phone to someone, you can choose to show only your name, photo, and license number, or you can show your full license. This gives you more privacy than handing over a physical card, where the other person sees everything at once.

If you are concerned about privacy, remember that a digital license is optional. You can continue to use only your physical card, and no one can force you to add a digital version to your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a digital driver's license if I have a suspended or revoked license?

No. Your digital license reflects the same status as your physical license. If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot add it to Wallet, and if you already added it before the suspension, it will stop working. You must resolve the suspension or revocation with your state's DMV before you can use either version of your license.

What if my state is not on the list yet?

Check your state's DMV website for updates on when digital driver's licenses will launch. You can also contact your state's DMV directly to ask about the timeline. In the meantime, keep your physical license with you at all times, as it remains the only accepted form of driver's license in states without a digital program.

Can I use a digital license from another state if I am traveling?

Yes, if you have a digital license from a participating state, it should work at TSA checkpoints in any state. However, police acceptance during traffic stops depends on the state where you are stopped, not where your license was issued. Some states may not yet accept digital licenses from other states, so always carry your physical card when traveling.

Do I need to remove my digital license if I renew my physical license?

When you renew your physical license, your state's DMV will issue a new digital license as well. You can remove the old one from Wallet and add the new one using the same process. Your state's DMV will tell you when the new digital license is ready to add.

What if I do not have an iPhone 15 Pro or newer?

You cannot add a driver's license to Wallet on older iPhones. You must use your physical license for all ID checks. If you upgrade to an iPhone 15 Pro or newer in the future, you can add your license at that time. Android phones do not currently support digital driver's licenses through any major wallet app.