An electric driver license is a digital version of your state-issued driver license that you can store on your phone
An electric driver license (sometimes called a digital license or mobile license) is a digital copy of your driver license that lives in a digital wallet app on your smartphone. It shows the same information as your physical card — your name, photo, date of birth, address, license number, and driving restrictions — but exists only on your phone's find storage.
Not every state offers this yet. As of now, only a handful of states have rolled out digital licenses through their DMV apps or through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. The technology is still expanding, and availability depends on where you live and which phone you carry. Even in states that offer it, the digital license is optional — you can keep using your physical card instead.
The digital license works differently than a photo or screenshot. It uses encryption and security features built into your phone to prove it is real. When a police officer or security guard scans it, they see live information connected to your state's DMV database, not just a static image.
Key Takeaways
- Digital licenses are available in only a few states right now, and you must check your state DMV website to see if yours offers one.
- You store a digital license in your phone's digital wallet (Apple Wallet or Google Wallet) or in your state's official DMV app, not in a screenshot or photo app.
- A digital license shows the same information as your physical card and can be used for age verification and some ID checks, though not all businesses accept it yet.
- You still need to carry your physical license in most situations because digital licenses are not yet widely accepted everywhere.
- Digital licenses use phone security features like face recognition or fingerprint to unlock, so your license information is not visible to anyone who picks up your phone.
Which states offer digital driver licenses right now
As of early 2024, only a small number of states have launched digital licenses. Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, and Utah have made them available through either their state DMV apps or through Apple Wallet. The list is growing, but slowly. Google Wallet support is rolling out to additional states, but the timeline varies.
Your state DMV website will tell you whether digital licenses are available where you live. If your state does not offer them yet, there is no way to create one — you must wait until your state launches the program. Some states have announced plans to launch digital licenses in the coming years, but there is no single national rollout date.
Even if your state offers a digital license, you are not required to use one. Your physical license remains valid and is still accepted everywhere. The digital version is an option, not a replacement.
How to set up a digital driver license on your phone
The process depends on whether your state uses Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or a state-specific app. If your state supports Apple Wallet, you open the Wallet app on your iPhone or Apple Watch, tap the plus sign, and select "Driver's License or State ID." You will be asked to take a photo of yourself and scan your physical license. Apple's system verifies the information with your state DMV.
For Google Wallet, the process is similar: you open Google Wallet, tap the plus sign, select "Driver's license or ID," and follow the prompts to photograph yourself and scan your license. Not all states support Google Wallet yet, so check your state DMV first.
If your state uses its own DMV app instead, you read that app, log in with your DMV account (or create one), and follow the app's instructions to add your license. You may need to verify your identity by answering security questions or providing additional documents. The entire process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, but approval can take a few days.
Where you can and cannot use a digital driver license
Digital licenses work best for age verification at bars, restaurants, and retail stores. Many businesses in states that offer digital licenses have trained staff to accept them. You can also use a digital license for some airport security checks in participating states — the TSA has begun accepting digital IDs at certain airports, though this is still rolling out.
However, digital licenses are not yet accepted everywhere. Police officers in some states are still trained to accept only physical licenses, though this is changing. Rental car companies, banks, and some government offices may not accept digital licenses yet. If you are unsure whether a business accepts digital licenses, ask before you need it — it is safer to carry your physical card as a backup.
You cannot use a digital license to renew your vehicle registration, explore for a passport, or complete most government transactions. For those, you still need your physical license or other official ID.
Security and privacy with a digital driver license
A digital license is encrypted and stored securely on your phone. To view it, you must unlock your phone using your face, fingerprint, or passcode — the same security your phone uses to protect your banking apps and messages. This means someone who picks up your phone cannot see your license information without unlocking it first.
When a business or officer scans your digital license, they see only the information you choose to share. Unlike a physical card, which shows your full address to anyone who looks at it, a digital license can be set to hide certain details. You control what is displayed each time.
Your state DMV does not store your digital license on its servers. The license lives only on your phone. If you lose your phone, your digital license is gone, but your physical license remains valid. You can set up a new digital license on a replacement phone once you have access to your DMV account.
Digital licenses versus physical licenses: what you actually need to know
Your physical license is still the safest choice for most situations. It works everywhere, requires no phone battery, and cannot be lost if your phone breaks. Police officers, rental car companies, and government offices all accept physical licenses without question.
A digital license is useful if you want to reduce what you carry or if you frequently show your ID for age verification. It is faster than pulling out a card, and it shows less personal information to strangers. But it depends on your phone being charged, working properly, and the business being willing to accept it.
Many people carry both — their physical license in a wallet and a digital license on their phone. This gives you options depending on the situation. There is no rule that says you must choose one or the other.
What happens if your phone dies or you lose it
If your phone battery dies, your digital license is not accessible. You cannot unlock your phone to show it, so you would need your physical license instead. This is one reason to always carry your physical card as a backup.
If you lose your phone, your digital license is lost with it. However, your physical license is still valid, and you can set up a new digital license on a replacement phone once you regain access to your DMV account. You do not need to explore for a new physical license or pay any fees.
If your phone is stolen, the thief cannot access your digital license without unlocking your phone first. Once you report the phone stolen and remotely wipe it (through Apple's Find My or Google's Find My Device), the digital license is deleted from that device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a digital license instead of a physical one all the time?
Not yet. While digital licenses are accepted for age verification and some ID checks in participating states, many businesses and government offices still accept only physical licenses. Most people carry both to be safe. Check with your state DMV and the businesses you visit most often to see what they accept.
Do I have to pay to get a digital license?
No. Digital licenses are free in all states that offer them. You do not pay any fee to add your license to your phone's digital wallet or your state's app.
Is a digital license as legal as a physical one?
In states that offer digital licenses, they are legally equivalent to physical licenses for the purposes they are designed for — age verification, some ID checks, and certain airport security screenings. However, not all uses of a physical license are covered yet. Your state DMV website lists exactly where digital licenses are accepted.
What if my state does not offer digital licenses yet?
You cannot create one. You must use your physical license. Check your state DMV website periodically to see if digital licenses become available in the future. Some states have announced plans to launch them, but timelines vary.
Can I show a screenshot of my license instead of using the digital wallet?
No. A screenshot is just a photo and does not have the security features that make a digital license work. Businesses and officers cannot verify a screenshot the way they can verify a license in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Always use the official digital wallet or app, not a screenshot.