What a mobile driver's license is and where you can use it

A mobile driver's license (mDL) is a digital version of your driver's license that lives on your smartphone instead of in your wallet. You can show it to a police officer during a traffic stop, at airport security, or at other places that accept it — the officer or agent scans a QR code or uses a contactless reader to verify your information.

Right now, only a handful of states have launched mobile driver's licenses. The states currently offering them are Maryland, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio. More states are testing the technology or planning to roll it out, but availability changes frequently. If your state is not on this list, you still need to carry a physical license.

The technology behind mobile licenses uses encryption and security features designed to make them harder to counterfeit than a plastic card. Your phone stores the license data locally — not on a government server — so you control when and where you share your information.

Key Takeaways

  • Mobile driver's licenses are currently available in Maryland, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio, with more states planning to launch them.
  • You add your mobile license to your phone's digital wallet (Apple Wallet on iPhone, Google Wallet on Android) after requesting it through your state's DMV.
  • Police officers and TSA agents at airports can scan your mobile license, but not all officers or locations accept them yet — you should carry your physical license as backup.
  • Your mobile license data stays on your phone and is encrypted, so you are not uploading your information to a government database.
  • You can revoke access to your mobile license when ready if your phone is lost or stolen, which is faster than replacing a physical card.

How to add a mobile driver's license to your phone

The process varies slightly by state, but the general steps are the same. First, check whether your state offers mobile licenses by visiting your state's DMV website and searching for "mobile driver's license" or "digital ID." If your state has launched the program, you will see a link to request one.

You will need your current driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid email address. Some states require you to verify your identity by taking a selfie or uploading a photo of your license. Once you complete the request, you will receive a notification — usually within a few minutes to a few hours — that your mobile license is ready.

Next, open your phone's digital wallet. On an iPhone, this is Apple Wallet. On an Android phone, this is Google Wallet. Look for an option to add a driver's license or ID, and follow the prompts to scan a QR code or enter a code that your state's DMV provided. Your mobile license will then appear in your wallet alongside your credit cards and boarding passes.

Where you can use your mobile driver's license

The most common places to use a mobile driver's license are during traffic stops and at airport security. When a police officer asks for your license, you can unlock your phone, open your wallet, and hold it up for the officer to scan. The officer uses a special reader or scans the QR code on your phone's screen.

At airports, TSA agents at security checkpoints can scan your mobile license instead of your physical card. This is rolling out gradually — not every airport has readers yet, and not every TSA agent has been trained to use them. Check with your airport before your trip to see if mobile licenses are accepted at your location.

Some states are also testing mobile licenses at bars, banks, and other age-verification locations, but this is not yet widespread. For now, assume that your mobile license works at traffic stops and major airports. For any other use, carry your physical license.

What happens if your phone is lost or stolen

One advantage of a mobile license is that you can disable it when ready if your phone goes missing. You do not have to wait for a replacement card to arrive in the mail. Log into your state's DMV portal or app and select the option to suspend or revoke your mobile license. The license becomes unusable when ready.

If you recover your phone, you can reactivate your mobile license through the same portal. If you get a new phone, you can request a new mobile license or transfer it to your new device — the exact process depends on your state's system.

Keep in mind that disabling your mobile license does not affect your physical license. If you lose your phone, your plastic license is still valid and you can use it to drive legally. You just need to carry it with you until you get a replacement phone or reactivate your mobile license.

Security and privacy with mobile licenses

Your mobile license data is stored on your phone using encryption, which means it is scrambled in a way that only authorized readers can decode. The data does not automatically sync to the cloud or upload to a government server. You control when and where you share your information — the officer or agent has to scan your phone, and you have to unlock it first.

When an officer or agent scans your mobile license, they see the same information that appears on your physical license: your name, date of birth, address, license number, and photo. They do not see your Social Security number, medical information, or anything else you did not consent to share.

If you are uncomfortable showing your mobile license in a particular situation, you can always use your physical license instead. There is no penalty for carrying both, and many people do during the transition period while mobile licenses are still rolling out.

States that have launched mobile driver's licenses

Maryland was the first state to launch a mobile driver's license program in 2021. Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio have since launched their own programs. Each state's system works slightly differently, so the exact steps to request and use your mobile license depend on where you live.

Several other states, including California, New York, and Texas, have announced plans to launch mobile licenses but have not yet made them available. The rollout is gradual because each state has to build its own system, train law enforcement, and test the technology with TSA and other agencies.

If your state is not listed above, check your state's DMV website periodically to see if a mobile license program has launched. You can also sign up for email notifications from your DMV to be notified when the program becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my mobile license if my phone battery dies?

No. Your phone needs to be powered on and unlocked for an officer or agent to scan your mobile license. If your battery is dead, you will need to show your physical license instead. This is one reason to always carry both during the transition period.

Do I still need to carry my physical license?

Yes. Not all police officers or locations have readers yet, and some may not be trained to use mobile licenses. Carrying both ensures you can show your license anywhere. Once mobile licenses are more widely accepted, you may be able to leave your physical license at home, but that day has not arrived yet.

What if an officer does not know how to scan my mobile license?

Show your physical license instead. There is no requirement to use your mobile license, and officers cannot penalize you for not having one. As more officers are trained, this becomes less of an issue, but it is still common in some areas.

Can someone else use my mobile license if they have my phone?

Not easily. Your phone is locked, and they would need to unlock it to access your wallet. Once unlocked, they could theoretically show your license, but the officer or agent would see a photo that does not match them. The encryption also makes it difficult to copy or alter your mobile license data.

Is my mobile license valid in other states?

Yes, your mobile license is valid nationwide, just like your physical license. An officer in any state can scan it. However, not all states have readers yet, so you may encounter officers who are not trained to use mobile licenses. Your physical license works everywhere as a backup.