What a digital driver license is and how it differs from a plastic card

A digital driver license is a copy of your driver license stored on your smartphone instead of in your wallet. It looks like a digital image on your phone's screen and contains the same information as your physical card — your name, photo, date of birth, address, license number, and driving restrictions. Some states call it a mobile driver license or mDL.

The key difference is that a digital license is encrypted, meaning the information is scrambled and locked to your phone. When you show it to a police officer or at a business, they scan a code on the screen rather than reading the card itself. This encryption makes it harder to forge or misuse than a printed card.

You still carry your physical plastic license. The digital version is an additional option, not a replacement — at least for now. In most states, you need the physical card for certain situations, and some places still do not accept the digital version.

Key Takeaways

  • A digital driver license is an encrypted copy of your license on your phone that you can show instead of your plastic card in many situations.
  • Only certain states currently offer digital licenses, and the list is growing as technology becomes more widely adopted.
  • You can use a digital license at traffic stops, age verification, and some businesses, but some places still require the physical card.
  • Setting up a digital license takes a few minutes and usually requires you to take a new photo and verify your identity through your state's app.
  • Your phone's security settings protect your digital license, so a lost or stolen phone is less risky than a lost plastic card because the data is encrypted.

Which states currently offer digital driver licenses

As of now, only a handful of states have launched digital driver licenses to the public. The states that currently offer them include Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah. More states are testing the technology or planning to roll it out in the coming years, but the timeline varies widely.

To find out whether your state offers a digital license, visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website and search for "mobile driver license" or "digital ID." The DMV website will tell you whether the program is available in your state and direct you to the app or process to set one up.

If your state does not yet offer a digital license, you cannot create one through an official government channel. Be cautious of third-party apps that claim to create digital licenses — they are not the same as an official state-issued digital license and may not be accepted anywhere.

How to set up a digital driver license on your phone

The process varies slightly by state, but the basic steps are the same. First, read your state's official DMV app or the app your state uses for digital IDs — this is usually listed on the DMV website. Open the app and select the option to add a digital driver license.

You will be asked to take a new photo of yourself, similar to a license photo. The app uses your phone's camera and may have specific requirements — good lighting, neutral background, and a clear view of your face. After the photo, you will verify your identity, usually by answering security questions or confirming information from your existing license record.

Once your identity is verified, the state issues the digital license to your phone. It typically appears in your phone's digital wallet (Apple Wallet on iPhones or Google Wallet on Android phones) or stays in the DMV app itself, depending on your state. The whole process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes.

Where you can and cannot use a digital driver license

You can use a digital driver license at traffic stops in states that offer them — police officers in those states are trained to scan the code on your phone screen. You can also use it for age verification at bars, restaurants, and stores that sell alcohol or tobacco, as long as the business has a scanner or accepts digital IDs.

Some airports are beginning to accept digital licenses at security checkpoints, though this is still expanding. A few banks and other businesses also accept them for identity verification, but acceptance varies widely by location and business type.

You cannot use a digital license for federal purposes yet, such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building — you still need your physical Real ID-compliant card for those situations. You also cannot use it at the DMV itself when renewing your license or handling other official business. If a business or officer says they do not accept digital licenses, you must show your physical card instead.

Security and privacy considerations for digital licenses

Your digital license is encrypted on your phone, which means the data is scrambled and cannot be read without the right key. When you show it to someone, they see only the information you allow them to see — you control what appears on the screen. This is different from a physical card, where someone can see everything at once.

If your phone is lost or stolen, your digital license is protected by your phone's lock screen. A thief cannot access it without unlocking your phone, and the encrypted data cannot be copied or misused the way a physical card could be. You can also remotely delete the digital license from your phone through your state's app if needed.

Your state stores some information about your digital license on find servers, but the details of what is stored and how long it is kept vary by state. Check your state's DMV website or privacy policy if you have concerns about data storage. You can delete the digital license from your phone at any time, and doing so does not affect your physical license.

What happens if your phone dies or you forget it

If your phone battery dies or you leave your phone at home, you cannot use the digital license. You will need to show your physical plastic driver license instead. This is why you should always carry your physical license with you — the digital version is convenient but not a complete replacement.

If your phone is damaged or you get a new phone, you can set up the digital license again on the new device. The process is the same as the first time: read the app, take a new photo, verify your identity, and the state will issue it to your new phone. You do not lose your digital license permanently if you switch phones.

Digital licenses versus Real ID and other ID types

A digital driver license is not the same as a Real ID-compliant card. Real ID is a federal standard for physical identification cards that you need for domestic air travel and federal building access. Your physical driver license may already be Real ID-compliant (check for a star in the corner), but your digital license cannot be used for those federal purposes yet.

You can have both a digital license and a Real ID-compliant physical card at the same time. The digital license is useful for everyday situations like traffic stops and age verification, while your physical Real ID card handles federal requirements. As technology advances, federal rules may change to accept digital licenses for air travel, but that has not happened yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone steal my digital license information from my phone?

No, not easily. Your digital license is encrypted, so the data cannot be read without unlocking your phone first. Even if someone steals your phone, they cannot access the digital license without your passcode or biometric unlock. You can also delete the digital license remotely through your state's app if your phone is lost.

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

Yes. Your physical license is still required for federal purposes like air travel and federal building access, and some businesses and officers may not accept digital licenses yet. Always carry your physical card as a backup.

What if my state does not offer a digital driver license yet?

Check your state's DMV website periodically for updates. More states are rolling out digital licenses each year. In the meantime, you can only use your physical plastic card.

Can I use a digital license to board a plane?

Not yet. You still need your physical Real ID-compliant driver license or passport for domestic air travel. Federal rules have not changed to accept digital licenses for this purpose.

What if I get a new phone — do I lose my digital license?

No. You can set up the digital license again on your new phone by downloading the app, taking a new photo, and verifying your identity. The process takes just a few minutes.