How to Add Your Driver's License to Apple Wallet

What Adding Your License to Apple Wallet Means

Adding your driver's license to Apple Wallet stores a digital copy on your iPhone or Apple Watch that you can show to police during a traffic stop or to TSA agents at airport security. It is not a replacement for your physical license — you still carry the card — but it gives you a second way to prove your identity without handing over the original document.

Apple Wallet uses encrypted technology to display your license information. When you show it to an officer or TSA agent, they scan a code on your phone's screen using their own reader, and your information appears on their device without them ever touching your phone. This protects your data because the officer cannot see your full license number, address, or other details unless the system is designed to show them.

Not every state offers this feature yet, and the states that do have rolled it out in phases. Your state may allow it for TSA airport screening before allowing it for police stops, or vice versa. Checking whether your state participates is the first step.

Key Takeaways

Only certain states currently allow digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet, and availability varies by use case — some states allow TSA screening but not police stops.
You still need your physical license; the digital version is an additional option, not a replacement.
To add your license, you must live in a participating state, have an iPhone 15 or newer (or Apple Watch Series 9 or newer), and go through Apple's verification process.
Apple's system encrypts your information so officers and TSA agents cannot see details beyond what they need for that specific interaction.
If your phone dies, is lost, or is stolen, you can still use your physical license, and you can remove the digital copy from Find My iPhone.

Which States Currently Offer Digital Licenses

As of early 2024, Arizona, Georgia, and Maryland have rolled out digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet. Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah have announced plans to add the feature, though the exact launch dates vary. Some states are testing the system with TSA at specific airports before opening it to all residents or all use cases.

The rollout is gradual because each state's Department of Motor Vehicles must integrate with Apple's system and meet security standards. A state may allow digital licenses for TSA screening months before allowing them for police interactions, or it may launch both at once. Check your state's DMV website or Apple's Wallet support page to see the current status in your state.

If your state is not yet listed, you cannot add your license to Apple Wallet yet, even if you have a compatible phone. You will need to wait for your state to launch the feature.

Device Requirements and Compatibility

To add your driver's license to Apple Wallet, you need an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max. Older iPhones, including the iPhone 14 and earlier, do not support this feature. If you have an Apple Watch, you need Series 9 or newer to add a license to it.

Your device must be running the current version of iOS or watchOS. Before you start the process, update your iPhone or Apple Watch to the latest software available. You will also need to be signed into iCloud with your Apple ID and have Face ID or Touch ID enabled on your device for security.

If you do not have a compatible device, you cannot add your license to Apple Wallet. You will need to use your physical license until you upgrade your phone or watch.

How to Add Your License Step by Step

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the plus sign in the upper right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. Choose your state from the list of participating states.

You will be asked to take a photo of the front and back of your physical license using your phone's camera. The system will scan the information from the card. Next, you will take a selfie so Apple can verify that you are the person on the license. This uses facial recognition technology similar to Face ID.

After you submit your photos, Apple sends your information to your state's DMV for verification. This step can take a few minutes to a few hours. Once your state's DMV confirms your identity, the digital license appears in your Wallet. You will receive a notification when it is ready to use.

If verification fails, you will see an error message explaining why — usually because the photos were unclear, your face did not match the license photo, or the information on your license could not be read. You can try again, and most people succeed on the second or third attempt.

How to Show Your License at TSA or During a Traffic Stop

At airport security, tell the TSA agent that you have a digital license in your Apple Wallet. Unlock your iPhone, open Wallet, and tap your driver's license. The screen will display a code that the agent scans with their reader. Your information appears on their device, and the interaction is complete. You do not hand over your phone.

During a traffic stop, the process is similar if your state allows it. Tell the officer you have a digital license, unlock your phone, open Wallet, and show the license on your screen. The officer scans the code with their device. Not all police departments have the equipment to scan digital licenses yet, so some officers may ask for your physical card instead. If that happens, provide the physical license — the digital version is optional, not required.

If your phone is dead, lost, or you forgot it, your physical license works exactly as it always has. There is no penalty for not having the digital version available.

What Happens If Your Phone Is Lost, Stolen, or Damaged

If your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can remove your digital license from it using Find My iPhone on another device. Open iCloud.com, select Find My iPhone, choose your device, and erase it. This removes the license from that phone. Your physical license remains valid and unchanged.

If your phone dies during a traffic stop or at airport security, you can show your physical license instead. The digital version is a convenience, not a requirement. TSA and police officers are trained to accept physical licenses.

If your phone is damaged but still turns on, you can still access your Wallet. If it will not turn on, use your physical license. Once you get a new phone, you can add your license to Apple Wallet again by repeating the setup process.

Security and Privacy Protections

Apple's system encrypts your license information on your phone so that it cannot be read without your permission. When an officer or TSA agent scans your digital license, they see only the information relevant to that interaction — for example, TSA sees your name and age verification, but not your full address or license number unless that is required.

Your state's DMV does not store a copy of your digital license on its servers. The verification happens once, during setup, and then the encrypted license lives only on your phone. Apple does not have access to your license information either.

If you are concerned about privacy, you can delete your digital license from Wallet at any time and continue using your physical license. There is no record of you having had a digital license once you remove it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license if my state has not launched it yet?

No. Your state's DMV must participate in the program for you to add your license to Apple Wallet. If your state is not listed in the Wallet app, the feature is not yet available there. You will need to wait for your state to launch it or continue using your physical license.

What if an officer or TSA agent does not have a scanner for digital licenses?

Show them your physical license instead. Not all police departments or TSA checkpoints have the equipment yet, even in states where digital licenses are available. Your physical license is always accepted. The digital version is optional.

Can I add my license to Apple Wallet if I have a suspended or revoked license?

No. Your state's DMV will reject the verification if your license is suspended or revoked. You must have a valid, active license to add it to Apple Wallet. If your license is reinstated later, you can then add it to your Wallet.

Do I need to carry my physical license if I have it in Apple Wallet?

Yes. You should always carry your physical license as a backup. Your phone could die, be lost, or malfunction. Police and TSA agents may not have scanners for digital licenses. Carrying both is the safest approach.

Can I add my license to Apple Wallet on my Apple Watch without adding it to my iPhone?

No. You must add your license to your iPhone first. Once it is set up on your iPhone, you can then add it to your Apple Watch if you have a compatible model (Series 9 or newer). The iPhone is the primary device.

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.