What Georgia's digital driver license is and how to get it
Georgia's digital driver license is a copy of your state-issued driver license that lives on your phone. You can show it to a police officer during a traffic stop, use it at airport security, or present it at age-restricted businesses — all without pulling out your physical card. The state calls this the Mobile Driver License (MDL), and it's built into the official Georgia DL+ app.
To get one, you must already have a valid Georgia driver license or ID card. You read the Georgia DL+ app, scan your physical license, take a selfie for identity verification, and the digital version appears on your phone within minutes. The process is free and takes about five minutes.
Your digital license is encrypted and stored only on your phone — Georgia's servers don't hold a copy. When you show it to an officer or security agent, they scan a QR code on your screen; your phone controls what information they see. You can revoke access when ready by closing the app.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia's digital driver license requires you to already have a valid physical Georgia driver license or ID card before you can create one.
- You read the Georgia DL+ app, scan your physical license, and take a selfie to verify your identity — the whole process takes about five minutes.
- Your digital license is stored only on your phone and encrypted; Georgia does not keep a copy on its servers.
- You can show your digital license to police officers, airport security, and businesses that check ID, and you can revoke access to it when ready through the app.
Step-by-step: Creating your digital driver license
Start by downloading the Georgia DL+ app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app is free and works on iPhones running iOS 14 or later, and Android phones running Android 8 or later.
Open the app and tap the option to add your driver license or ID card. You'll be asked to scan the front and back of your physical Georgia license using your phone's camera. Hold the card steady and make sure the entire card is visible in the frame. The app will tell you if the scan is clear enough to read.
Next, you'll take a selfie. The app uses facial recognition to confirm that you are the person on the license. Make sure you're in good lighting and your face is clearly visible. This step typically takes one or two attempts.
Once the app verifies your identity, your digital license appears on your phone. You don't need to do anything else — it's ready to use when ready. Your physical license remains valid and unchanged.
Where you can use your digital driver license in Georgia
You can show your digital license to a police officer during a traffic stop. The officer scans the QR code on your phone screen with their own device, and your license information appears on their screen. You stay in control — your phone displays only the information the officer requests, and you can see what they're viewing.
Georgia's digital license works at airport security checkpoints. TSA agents at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and other Georgia airports can scan your digital license just as they would your physical card. You do not need to carry your physical license if you have the digital version on your phone.
Businesses that check ID — bars, restaurants, retailers selling age-restricted items — can scan your digital license. The merchant sees only your age verification and name, not your address or other personal details. You control what information appears on the screen before they scan it.
Your digital license does not replace your physical license for all purposes. Some government offices, banks, and other institutions may still require the physical card. Keep your physical Georgia license with you for situations where digital ID is not accepted.
Security and privacy: How your digital license protects your information
Your digital license is encrypted end-to-end, meaning only your phone and the scanning device can read it. Georgia's Department of Driver Services does not store a copy of your digital license on state servers. The data stays on your phone and is protected by your phone's security features — your passcode, fingerprint, or face recognition.
When someone scans your digital license, they see only what you allow them to see. Before the scan happens, you can choose which information to share — for example, you can show your age without showing your address. You remain in control of every transaction.
If your phone is lost or stolen, you can revoke your digital license when ready through the app on another device, or by contacting Georgia DDS. The digital license on the lost phone becomes useless when ready. Your physical license is unaffected and remains valid.
The Georgia DL+ app does not track your location or your movements. It does not send notifications to the state when you use your digital license. Each time you show it, only the person scanning it receives the information you choose to share.
Keeping your digital license current and troubleshooting problems
Your digital license stays valid as long as your physical Georgia driver license is valid. If your physical license expires, your digital license expires on the same date. When you renew your physical license, you'll need to update your digital license in the app — delete the old one and add the new one by scanning your renewed physical card.
If you move and update your address on your physical license, update your digital license in the app as well. Open the Georgia DL+ app, delete your current digital license, and add it again by scanning your updated physical card.
If the app won't scan your license, make sure you're in good lighting and the card is flat and fully visible in the frame. Try cleaning your phone's camera lens. If the selfie verification fails repeatedly, restart the app and try again. If problems persist, contact Georgia Department of Driver Services through their website or call their customer service line.
If you uninstall the Georgia DL+ app and later reinstall it, you'll need to add your license again by scanning your physical card and taking a new selfie. Your previous digital license does not automatically restore.
What happens if you don't have a smartphone
If you don't own a smartphone or prefer not to use a digital license, your physical Georgia driver license remains fully valid for all purposes. You can continue to use your physical card at traffic stops, airport security, and any business that checks ID. There is no requirement to have a digital license.
If you borrow someone else's phone to create a digital license, that license is tied to that phone. If you later get your own phone, you'll need to create a new digital license on your own device by scanning your physical license and taking a new selfie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my digital license if my phone battery dies?
No. Your digital license requires your phone to be powered on and the app to be open. If your battery dies, you cannot display your digital license. This is why it's wise to carry your physical Georgia driver license as a backup, especially on long trips or when you know you won't have access to a charger.
Do I need to delete my digital license before I renew my physical license?
You don't have to, but it's a good idea. When you renew your physical license, delete the old digital license from the app and add the new one by scanning your renewed physical card. This ensures your digital license matches your current physical license and avoids confusion.
Can someone else use my digital license if they have my phone?
Not easily. Your phone's security — your passcode, fingerprint, or face recognition — protects access to the Georgia DL+ app. Even if someone unlocks your phone, they would need to open the app and display your license. You can revoke the digital license remotely if your phone is lost or stolen.
What if a police officer doesn't know how to scan my digital license?
Offer to show your physical license instead. While Georgia law allows officers to accept digital licenses, not all officers may be equipped with scanning devices yet. Your physical Georgia driver license is always accepted. If an officer refuses to accept your digital license when you offer it, you can still provide your physical card.
Is the Georgia DL+ app the same as a mobile ID wallet?
The Georgia DL+ app is Georgia's official digital driver license tool. It is separate from general mobile wallet apps like Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. You must use the Georgia DL+ app specifically to create and display your digital driver license in Georgia.