What Illinois's Digital Driver's License Is and Who Can Get It
Illinois's digital driver's license is a copy of your state ID stored on your phone using the Apple Wallet or Google Wallet app. It shows the same information as your physical card — name, date of birth, license number, expiration date — and is issued by the Secretary of State. You can add it to your phone once you already hold a valid Illinois driver's license or ID card; it is not a separate license type, but a digital version of one you already have.
You can use the digital license at traffic stops, at TSA airport security checkpoints, and at some retail locations that accept it. Not every officer or business accepts it yet, so you should carry your physical card as a backup. The digital version does not replace your physical license — it exists alongside it.
To add a digital license to your phone, you must be at least 18 years old and have a current, valid Illinois driver's license or ID card. You cannot use this feature if your license is expired, suspended, or revoked. Your phone must run iOS 15.1 or later (for Apple Wallet) or Android 5.0 or later (for Google Wallet).
Key Takeaways
- The digital license is a phone-based copy of your existing Illinois driver's license or ID card, not a new license type.
- You add it through Apple Wallet or Google Wallet on your smartphone and must already hold a valid physical license to do so.
- TSA accepts it at airport security, and some police officers and retailers recognize it, but you should always carry your physical card as backup.
- The process takes a few minutes and requires your driver's license number, date of birth, and a photo taken with your phone's camera.
Step-by-Step Process to Add Your License to Your Phone
Open Apple Wallet (on iPhone) or Google Wallet (on Android). Tap the plus icon or "Add to Wallet" button. Select "Driver's License or State ID." Choose Illinois from the state list. Enter your driver's license number and date of birth exactly as they appear on your physical card. The Secretary of State's system will verify this information against your record.
Next, you will take a photo of yourself using your phone's camera. The app will guide you through this — you will be asked to position your face in a frame and may need to blink or move slightly so the system can confirm you are a real person. This is a liveness check and takes about 30 seconds. Do not use a photo from your camera roll; the app requires a live photo taken in that moment.
After the photo is taken, review the information displayed on your digital license. Check that your name, date of birth, license number, and expiration date all match your physical card. If anything is wrong, do not proceed — contact the Illinois Secretary of State's office to correct your record first. Once you confirm the information is correct, tap "Add" or "Done." Your digital license should appear in your Wallet or Wallet app within seconds.
What Information Appears on Your Digital License
Your digital license displays your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, license class (such as D for regular driver), expiration date, and your photo. It also shows your address as it appears on your physical license. The digital version does not include your Social Security number, and it does not show your signature.
When you present your digital license at a traffic stop or airport, the officer or TSA agent can see only the information that would be visible on your physical card. They cannot access your driving record, previous violations, or any other data stored in the Secretary of State's system. The digital license is straightforward a display of the front of your card.
Where You Can Use Your Digital License
TSA accepts Illinois digital driver's licenses at airport security checkpoints nationwide. You can hold your phone up to the ID scanner just as you would your physical card. Some Illinois police officers have been trained to accept digital licenses during traffic stops, though not all departments have rolled out this capability yet. If an officer does not accept it, you must provide your physical card.
Some retail businesses, particularly those with age-verification systems at checkout, have begun accepting digital IDs. However, acceptance is not universal, and many retailers still require a physical card. Gas stations, liquor stores, and other age-restricted merchants may or may not recognize it depending on their systems and staff training. Always carry your physical license when you plan to use it for age verification or identification at a business.
Keeping Your Digital License find and Up to Date
Your digital license is encrypted and stored on your phone using the same security features that protect your payment cards in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. If your phone is lost or stolen, the digital license cannot be used without unlocking your phone first — the app requires Face ID, Touch ID, or your phone's passcode before displaying the license. You can remove the digital license from your phone remotely if your phone is lost by signing into your Apple or Google account from another device and removing it from your Wallet.
If your physical license expires, is renewed, or is replaced, you must remove the old digital license from your phone and add the new one. The digital license does not automatically update when you renew your physical license at the Secretary of State's office. After you receive your new physical card in the mail, open your Wallet app, find your old digital license, and delete it. Then follow the same steps to add your new license using your new license number.
If your license is suspended or revoked, your digital license will no longer work. The Secretary of State's system will flag it as invalid, and it will not display on your phone or will show an error message if you try to use it. You cannot manually delete a suspended or revoked license from your Wallet — it will straightforward stop functioning.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
The app says your information does not match: This usually means your driver's license number or date of birth was entered incorrectly. Double-check both against your physical card, paying attention to leading zeros in your license number. If you are certain the information is correct but the system still rejects it, your record in the Secretary of State's database may be outdated or incorrect. Contact the Secretary of State's office at 217-782-6900 or visit cyberdriveillinois.com to verify your record before trying again.
The liveness check fails repeatedly: Make sure you are in a well-lit area and that your face is clearly visible in the frame. Remove sunglasses or hats. If you are wearing a face mask, remove it for the photo. The system needs to see your full face to confirm you are the person on the license. Try again in better lighting or from a different location.
Your digital license does not appear after you complete the process: Close the Wallet app completely and reopen it. If it still does not appear, restart your phone and try again. If the license still does not show up after a restart, the upload may have failed. Try adding it again from the beginning. If you continue to have problems, contact Apple Support or Google Support depending on which Wallet you use.
An officer or business does not accept your digital license: Provide your physical card. Acceptance of digital licenses is still rolling out, and not all businesses or law enforcement agencies have implemented it. This is not a problem with your digital license — it straightforward means that particular location does not yet recognize it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a digital license if I already have a physical one?
No. Your physical Illinois driver's license is valid everywhere and does not expire in terms of legal recognition. A digital license is optional and useful mainly for convenience at airports and some retail locations. You should keep your physical card regardless of whether you add a digital version.
What happens to my digital license if I renew my physical license?
Your old digital license will stop working once your new physical license is issued. You must delete the old one from your Wallet and add a new digital license using your new license number. The Secretary of State's system will not automatically update it for you.
Can I use my digital license at all police traffic stops?
Not yet. Some Illinois police departments accept digital licenses, but many do not. If an officer asks for your ID and does not accept your digital license, show your physical card. There is no penalty for carrying only a physical license.
Is my digital license valid outside of Illinois?
TSA accepts it at airport security checkpoints nationwide. However, police officers in other states are not required to accept it, and most do not yet. If you travel outside Illinois, carry your physical Illinois driver's license.
What if my phone dies or I forget it at home?
Your physical license is still valid and is what you should carry. The digital license is a convenience tool, not a replacement. Always have your physical card with you when driving or when you need to show ID.