What a digital driver's license is and where you can use it
A digital driver's license is a copy of your driver's license stored on your smartphone instead of a physical card. You show it to a police officer or security guard by opening an app and displaying your phone screen. Right now, only a handful of states have rolled out digital licenses to the public, and acceptance varies widely — some police departments use them, some don't, and many businesses and venues still require the physical card.
The states currently offering digital licenses are Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah. Each state's program works slightly differently, and each has its own app or uses Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. If you live in one of these states, you can add your license to your phone, but you should still carry your physical license because not every officer or business will accept the digital version.
Digital licenses are not the same as a digital ID card or a REAL ID. They are a separate thing you add to your phone on top of your existing physical license. You do not replace your license — you supplement it.
Key Takeaways
- Digital driver's licenses are currently available in ten states: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah.
- Acceptance by police and businesses is still inconsistent, so you should carry your physical license even if you add a digital version to your phone.
- Each state uses its own app or integrates with Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, so the process to add your license depends on which state you live in.
- A digital license is not a replacement for REAL ID or a digital ID card — it is an additional option you can use alongside your physical license.
How to add your driver's license to your phone
The process differs by state. In states using Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, you open the wallet app on your phone, tap the plus or add button, select driver's license, and follow the prompts. You will need to verify your identity — usually by taking a photo of yourself and your physical license, or by answering security questions based on your DMV records. The state's system checks your information against what is on file.
In states with their own dedicated app, you read the app from your phone's app store, create an account, and add your license through the same identity verification process. Arizona, for example, uses its own app called Arizona Mobile ID. Colorado uses the state's DMV app. Check your state's DMV website to find the exact app name and instructions for your state.
The whole process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes once you start. After you complete identity verification, your digital license appears in your wallet or app when ready, though some states have a short waiting period of a few hours or a day.
Which police departments and businesses accept digital licenses
Acceptance is still growing and is not uniform. Some state police departments have trained officers to accept digital licenses during traffic stops. Some local police departments have not. Some businesses like bars and restaurants may accept them for age verification, but many still ask for the physical card. TSA (Transportation Security Administration) at airports does not yet accept digital licenses for domestic flights, though this may change.
Before you rely on a digital license for a specific situation — a traffic stop, entering a venue, or traveling — contact the relevant authority or business to ask whether they accept it. A police department's website or non-emergency line can tell you whether officers in your area are trained to use digital licenses. A bar or venue can tell you over the phone.
Because acceptance is inconsistent, carrying your physical license remains the safest choice. A digital license is a convenience option when it works, not a replacement.
Security and privacy in digital licenses
Digital licenses use encryption to protect your information. When you show your license on your phone, the officer or business scans a code or views the screen — they do not read or store your data. Your phone does not transmit your full information to them; instead, they see only what is displayed on your screen, similar to how they would read a physical card.
Your digital license is stored on your phone with the same security protections as other sensitive apps. If your phone is locked with a passcode or biometric lock (fingerprint or face recognition), your license app is protected by that same lock. If someone steals your phone, they cannot access your digital license without unlocking the phone first.
Each state's system has different privacy policies. Before you add your license, review your state's DMV website to understand what data is collected, how long it is kept, and who can access it. You control whether to add a digital license — it is optional.
What happens if you lose your phone or it breaks
If your phone is lost, stolen, or stops working, your digital license goes with it. You can still use your physical license for any situation that requires identification. Once you get a new phone, you can add your digital license again by going through the same process — downloading the app or opening your wallet, verifying your identity, and adding the license.
You do not need to contact your state's DMV or request a new license. The digital license is tied to your existing physical license, not to your phone. As long as your physical license is valid, you can add the digital version to any phone you own.
If your physical license is lost or stolen, you follow your state's normal process to replace it — which is separate from the digital license process. Once you have a replacement physical license, you can add it to your phone digitally.
States that are testing or planning digital licenses
Beyond the ten states currently offering digital licenses to the public, other states are in pilot programs or planning rollouts. Some states are testing digital licenses with specific groups — like state employees or volunteers — before opening them to everyone. Others are still in the planning phase and have not announced a launch date.
Check your state's DMV website to see whether a digital license program exists in your state and whether it is open to the public yet. If your state does not offer one, you can still use your physical license for all identification purposes. Digital licenses are optional and are rolling out gradually across the country.
How digital licenses compare to REAL ID
A REAL ID is a federal security standard for physical driver's licenses and ID cards. It requires additional identity verification when you get or renew your license, and it allows you to use your license for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. A digital license is something different — it is a digital copy of your existing license that you carry on your phone.
You can have a REAL ID physical license and also add a digital license to your phone. They serve different purposes. REAL ID is about the security standard of your physical card; a digital license is about having a copy on your phone. Neither replaces the other.
If you need to fly domestically or enter a federal building, you need a REAL ID-compliant physical license or passport. A digital license alone will not work for those purposes yet, though that could change in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a digital license if I don't have a smartphone?
No. Digital licenses exist only on phones. If you do not have a smartphone or prefer not to use one, your physical license is your only option. Physical licenses remain valid and are accepted everywhere. Digital licenses are optional and are meant to be an additional choice, not a requirement.
Will digital licenses eventually replace physical licenses?
That is unclear. Digital licenses are expanding, but there is no announced timeline for phasing out physical licenses. Many situations still require a physical card, and acceptance by police and businesses is still growing. For now, both exist side by side, and you should carry your physical license.
What if a police officer doesn't accept my digital license?
Show your physical license instead. Officers are not required to accept digital licenses, and acceptance varies by department and state. If an officer asks for your license and you only have the digital version, you can show it on your phone, but they may ask you to provide the physical card. This is why carrying both is the safest approach.
Is my digital license valid if I cross state lines?
Your digital license is issued by your home state and is valid in that state. If you travel to another state, your physical license is what you should rely on. Other states may not recognize or accept a digital license issued by a different state. Always carry your physical license when traveling.
Can I add my license to both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet?
That depends on your state. Some states allow you to add your license to both platforms; others limit you to one. Check your state's DMV website or the app instructions to see what is allowed. You can also contact your state's DMV directly to ask.