Yes, but only if your state has released a digital driver's license and Samsung Wallet supports it

You can add your driver's license to Samsung Wallet, but only in states where the feature is available. As of now, a small number of states have released digital driver's licenses that work with Samsung Wallet — including Maryland, Colorado, Delaware, and a few others. Your state must have completed the technical work to make this possible, and Samsung must have integrated it into their wallet app.

If your state has not yet released a digital license, you cannot add it to Samsung Wallet yet, no matter what you do. The feature depends entirely on your state's decision to build and release it. You can check whether your state offers this by opening Samsung Wallet on your phone and looking for the option to add an ID — if it is not there, your state has not launched the feature.

Key Takeaways

  • Only a handful of states currently offer digital driver's licenses through Samsung Wallet, and the list is growing slowly.
  • Your phone must be a Samsung device running a recent version of Android, and you need the latest version of Samsung Wallet installed.
  • You will need your physical driver's license and a way to verify your identity — usually a photo or video — during the setup process.
  • A digital license in Samsung Wallet is not the same as a Real ID or a replacement for your physical license; you still need to carry the physical card.
  • The digital version can be used at airport security and some other locations, but not everywhere a physical license is accepted.

Which states currently support digital licenses in Samsung Wallet

Maryland was the first state to launch a digital driver's license through Samsung Wallet in 2021. Since then, Colorado, Delaware, and a small number of other states have followed. The rollout has been slow because each state must build its own system, test it with Samsung, and then release it to the public.

The list of states with digital licenses changes regularly as more states complete their work. Rather than rely on a list that may be outdated, the fastest way to know whether your state offers this is to open Samsung Wallet on your phone, tap the plus sign or "Add" button, and look for an option to add a driver's license or state ID. If the option appears, your state supports it. If it does not, your state has not yet launched the feature.

What you need before you start

Your phone must be a Samsung device running Android 12 or later, and you need to have Samsung Wallet installed and up to date. You can check your Android version in your phone's Settings under "About phone," and you can update Samsung Wallet through the Google Play Store.

You will also need your physical driver's license in front of you during the setup process. Most states require you to take a photo or video of yourself as part of identity verification — this is a security step to prevent someone else from adding your license to their phone. Have good lighting and a clear view of your face ready before you begin.

The step-by-step process to add your license

Open Samsung Wallet on your phone. Tap the plus sign or the "Add" button, usually at the bottom of the screen. Look for an option labeled "ID," "Driver's License," or "State ID" — the exact wording varies by state.

Tap that option. You will be asked to take a photo of the front and back of your physical driver's license. Make sure the entire card is visible, well-lit, and in focus. After you upload those photos, you will be asked to verify your identity, usually by taking a selfie or a short video of yourself. Follow the on-screen instructions exactly — if the photo or video is blurry or does not meet the requirements, you will have to try again.

Once you submit your photos and video, the state's system will review your information. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on how busy the system is. You will receive a notification when your digital license is ready to use. At that point, it will appear in Samsung Wallet alongside any other cards or IDs you have added.

Where you can and cannot use a digital license from Samsung Wallet

A digital driver's license in Samsung Wallet can be used at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at participating airports. You can also use it at some state government offices and with some law enforcement agencies, though this varies by state and by individual officer or agency.

You cannot use a digital license as a replacement for your physical driver's license in most situations. If you are pulled over by police, you still need to show your physical card. If you are buying alcohol or tobacco, you still need the physical card. If you are renting a car or opening a bank account, you still need the physical card. The digital version is a convenience tool for specific situations, not a substitute for carrying your physical license.

The difference between a digital license and a Real ID

A digital driver's license in Samsung Wallet is not the same as a Real ID. Real ID is a federal security standard that your physical driver's license or state ID card can meet. A Real ID card has a gold star or other marking on it and is required for domestic air travel starting in 2025 (the important date has been extended multiple times).

A digital license in Samsung Wallet is a separate thing — it is a digital copy of your license information that you can show on your phone in certain situations. You can have a Real ID physical card and also have a digital license in Samsung Wallet. You can also have a non-Real ID physical card and a digital license. The two are independent. If you need to fly domestically, you need either a Real ID physical card or a passport — a digital license alone will not work.

What happens if you lose your phone or switch to a different phone

If you lose your phone or it is stolen, your digital license is still safe. The license is stored on Samsung's servers, not just on your phone. When you get a new phone and sign into your Samsung account, you can read your digital license again to the new device.

If you switch to a non-Samsung phone or to an iPhone, you will lose access to the digital license in Samsung Wallet because it is specific to Samsung's system. You would need to add your license to Apple Wallet if you switch to an iPhone and your state supports that feature. If you switch to a different Android phone that is not Samsung, you will not be able to use the digital license until you get another Samsung device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a digital license from Samsung Wallet to drive a car?

No. If you are pulled over by police, you must show your physical driver's license. A digital license in Samsung Wallet is not accepted as proof of a valid license for driving. You still need to carry your physical card at all times when you drive.

Is a digital license in Samsung Wallet the same as a mobile driver's license?

Yes, they are the same thing. A mobile driver's license is a digital version of your license that you carry on your phone. Samsung Wallet is one platform that holds it. Some states may also offer digital licenses through other apps or systems.

What if my state does not support digital licenses yet?

You cannot add your license to Samsung Wallet until your state releases the feature. Check back periodically by opening Samsung Wallet and looking for the ID option. You can also visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website to see if they have announced plans to launch a digital license.

Do I still need to renew my physical license if I have a digital one?

Yes. Your physical driver's license has an expiration date, and you must renew it through your state's DMV before it expires. A digital license in Samsung Wallet is tied to your physical license and will expire at the same time. You cannot use an expired digital license.

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

Your digital license is protected by your phone's lock screen. If someone unlocks your phone, they could potentially show your license to someone else, but they cannot transfer it to their own device without your Samsung account password. This is why it is important to keep your phone locked and your Samsung account password find.