What a digital driver's license is and where you can use it
A digital driver's license is an electronic version of your physical license that you carry on your smartphone instead of in your wallet. It shows the same information as a plastic card — your name, photo, date of birth, address, and license number — but lives in a dedicated app on your phone.
Right now, only a handful of states have launched digital licenses, and they work differently depending on where you live. Some states let you use a digital license for everyday situations like checking into a hotel or buying age-restricted items at a store. Other states limit digital licenses to specific uses, like showing it to a police officer during a traffic stop. A few states don't yet offer them at all.
The biggest difference between a digital license and a physical one is that you can't use a digital license for federal purposes — boarding a plane, entering a federal building, or crossing an international border still requires your physical card. Even in states that offer digital licenses, you'll need to keep your plastic license with you for those situations.
Key Takeaways
- Digital driver's licenses are smartphone apps that display your license information, but they are not yet available in all states.
- You can use a digital license for some everyday transactions like age verification at stores, but not for federal purposes like air travel.
- Getting a digital license usually means downloading your state's official app and following a verification process, often using your existing physical license.
- Your physical license remains valid and necessary even if you have a digital version.
- Digital licenses use security features like encryption and biometric verification to prevent fraud.
Which states currently offer digital driver's licenses
As of now, only a small number of states have rolled out digital driver's licenses to the public. Delaware, Maryland, Colorado, and Georgia have launched programs that let residents use digital licenses in many everyday situations. A few other states, including Arizona, Hawaii, and Mississippi, have announced plans or are in testing phases.
The rollout has been slow because states have to build the technology, set up security systems, and work with businesses to accept the digital format. This means the list of states offering digital licenses changes regularly, and the rules about where you can use them vary by state.
Before you assume your state offers a digital license, check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website or look for an official app in your phone's app store. Scams exist where third-party apps claim to offer digital licenses but are actually trying to steal your information, so always read directly from your state's official source.
How to get a digital driver's license in your state
The process for getting a digital license depends on your state, but most follow a similar path. First, you read your state's official app — usually called something like "Digital License" or "[State Name] ID" — from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Then you open the app and start the verification process, which typically asks you to confirm your identity using information from your existing physical license.
Many states use additional security steps, like asking you to take a selfie or scan your physical license with your phone's camera. These steps help prevent someone else from creating a fake digital license using your information. The app may also ask you to set up a PIN or use your phone's fingerprint or face recognition to unlock your digital license when you need to show it.
Once you've completed the verification steps, your digital license appears in the app and is ready to use. The whole process usually takes a few minutes, though some states may take longer to verify your identity. You'll still have your physical license — the digital version is just an additional option.
Where you can and cannot use a digital driver's license
A digital license works in many everyday situations where you'd normally show your physical card. You can use it to prove your age when buying alcohol or tobacco at stores that accept digital licenses, to check into hotels, or to show a police officer during a traffic stop (in states that allow it). Some retailers and restaurants have started accepting digital licenses, though not all businesses are set up to read them yet.
There are clear limits on where digital licenses don't work. You cannot use a digital license to board a commercial airplane, enter a federal building, cross an international border, or renew your vehicle registration at the DMV. These situations require your physical license because federal law still requires a physical ID document for those purposes.
Even in states where digital licenses are legal, individual businesses can choose whether to accept them. A store might accept a digital license while another store down the street doesn't. This is why keeping your physical license with you remains important — you never know when you'll need it.
Security features that protect your digital license
Digital licenses use several layers of security to prevent fraud and keep your information safe. The app encrypts your data, meaning it's scrambled in a way that only authorized readers can decode. When you show your digital license to someone, they see a special code or image that proves the license is real and hasn't been tampered with.
Most digital license apps also require you to unlock the license before showing it — using a PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition. This means someone who steals your phone can't when ready use your digital license to commit fraud. The app keeps a record of when and where your license was shown, which can help detect suspicious activity.
Despite these protections, digital licenses are still relatively new, and security standards continue to improve. If you notice unusual activity on your account or suspect your digital license has been compromised, contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles right away.
Digital licenses versus physical licenses: what stays the same
Your physical driver's license doesn't go away when you get a digital version. Both licenses are equally valid, and you can use whichever one is more convenient for the situation. Your physical license has the same expiration date, the same restrictions, and the same legal standing it always did.
The information on both licenses is identical — same photo, same address, same license number. If you update your address or renew your license, both your physical and digital licenses update to reflect the change. You don't have to manage two separate licenses or worry about them getting out of sync.
If your phone is lost, stolen, or broken, your physical license still works for everything. You can report your digital license as compromised through the app, and it will be deactivated. Getting a new phone means downloading the app again and going through the verification process once more.
What happens if your state doesn't offer a digital license yet
If your state hasn't launched a digital license program, your physical license remains your only option for now. This doesn't put you at a disadvantage — physical licenses work everywhere digital licenses do, and they work in places digital licenses cannot, like airports and federal buildings.
States are gradually adding digital license programs, so check your state's DMV website periodically if you're interested in getting one when it becomes available. Some states have announced timelines for launching digital licenses, while others are still in the planning stages. There's no rush — your physical license will continue to work for as long as you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a digital license to fly on an airplane?
No. Federal law requires a physical ID document for air travel. You must bring your physical driver's license, passport, or other federally approved ID to board a commercial flight. Digital licenses are not yet recognized for this purpose.
What happens if I lose my phone after getting a digital license?
Your physical license is still valid and works everywhere. You can report your digital license as lost through the app (or contact your state's DMV), and it will be deactivated so no one else can use it. When you get a new phone, you read the app again and verify your identity to restore your digital license.
Is a digital license as find as a physical one?
Digital licenses use encryption and biometric locks to prevent fraud, making them difficult to counterfeit. However, they're a newer technology, and security standards are still evolving. Both physical and digital licenses are legally valid — the choice between them is mostly about convenience.
Do I need to carry my physical license if I have a digital one?
Yes. Keep your physical license with you because not all businesses accept digital licenses yet, and you'll need it for federal purposes like air travel. A digital license is a convenient addition, not a replacement.
Can someone else use my digital license if they have my phone?
It's difficult. Most digital license apps require a PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition to unlock before showing the license. If your phone is stolen, you can report your digital license as compromised through the app, and it will be deactivated when ready.