What Florida's digital driver's license is and how to get it
Florida's digital driver's license is a copy of your driver's license stored on your phone through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) mobile app. You photograph your physical license, verify your identity, and the app displays a digital version you can show to police during traffic stops or to verify your age at certain businesses.
To get one, read the official FLHSMV mobile app on iOS or Android, open it, and follow the prompts to photograph the front and back of your current Florida driver's license. The app will ask you to take a selfie and answer security questions to confirm your identity. Once verified, your digital license appears in the app and is ready to use.
The digital license does not replace your physical card — you still carry both. The app straightforward gives you another way to show proof of a valid license without handing over your physical card, which reduces the risk of identity theft or fraud during routine interactions.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's digital driver's license is stored in the official FLHSMV mobile app and shows the same information as your physical license.
- You create a digital license by photographing your current Florida driver's license and taking a selfie to verify your identity in the app.
- Police can view your digital license during traffic stops, and some businesses may accept it to verify your age.
- Your physical license remains valid and necessary — the digital version is an additional option, not a replacement.
- The app is free and available on both iPhone and Android devices.
How to set up your digital license step by step
Start by downloading the official FLHSMV mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Search for "FLHSMV" to find the correct app — it is the only official one run by Florida's motor vehicle agency.
Open the app and tap the option to add a digital driver's license. You will be asked to photograph the front of your Florida driver's license, then the back. Hold the card flat under good lighting and make sure all four corners and the text are visible in the photo. The app will check that the image is clear enough to read.
Next, the app will ask you to take a selfie. Position your face in the center of the frame, make sure your face is fully visible and well-lit, and tap the button to capture the photo. The app compares this selfie to the photo on your license to confirm you are the license holder.
After the selfie, you will answer security questions based on information from your driver's license record. These questions confirm your identity and prevent someone else from creating a digital license using your physical card. Once you answer correctly, your digital license is created and appears in the app.
When police and businesses will accept your digital license
During a traffic stop, you can show your digital license to a police officer by opening the FLHSMV app and displaying the license on your phone screen. The officer can view the same information they would see on a physical card — your name, date of birth, license number, and expiration date. You do not have to hand over your phone; the officer views the screen while you hold it.
Some businesses, particularly bars and restaurants that check age, may accept your digital license as proof of identity. However, not all businesses are required to accept it, and some may still ask for your physical card. If a business declines the digital version, you will need to show your physical license instead.
Your digital license is only valid if your physical Florida driver's license is current and not suspended or revoked. If your physical license expires, is suspended, or is revoked, your digital license becomes invalid at the same time. You cannot renew your license through the app — you must renew your physical license through FLHSMV first, then update your digital license in the app.
What information appears on your digital license
Your digital license displays the same core information as your physical card: your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, license class, expiration date, and any restrictions or endorsements. The app shows a small photo of you and a photo of your license itself.
The digital version does not include your Social Security number, address, or organ donor status — only the information that would be visible to someone looking at your physical card in person. This design reduces the amount of sensitive data you expose when you show your license to a police officer or business.
Security and privacy in the FLHSMV app
Your digital license is encrypted on your phone and protected by your device's security features — your fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN. When you show your license to a police officer or business, they see only what is on the screen at that moment; they cannot access your phone's files, photos, or other apps.
The FLHSMV app does not store your license information on a central server that could be hacked. Your data stays on your phone. If you lose your phone or it is stolen, your digital license is no longer accessible on that device. You can read the app on a new phone and recreate your digital license using the same process.
If you are concerned about privacy, you can delete your digital license from the app at any time and recreate it later. Deleting it from the app does not affect your physical license or your driving record.
What to do if your digital license will not load or verify
If the app rejects your license photos as unclear, make sure you are photographing a current, undamaged Florida driver's license. The card must be flat, well-lit, and fully visible in the frame. Glare from overhead lights or shadows across the card often cause rejection. Try again in natural daylight or under a desk lamp.
If the selfie does not match, the app may be having trouble comparing your photo to the one on your license. Make sure your face is clearly visible, well-lit, and centered in the frame. Remove sunglasses or hats, and avoid heavy shadows. If you have changed your appearance significantly since your license photo was taken, the app may struggle to match them.
If you answer security questions incorrectly, the app will not create your digital license. The questions are based on your FLHSMV record, so if you are unsure of an answer, contact FLHSMV directly at 1-844-357-3936 or visit a local driver's license office. Do not guess repeatedly, as too many wrong answers may lock you out temporarily.
If the app crashes or freezes during setup, close it completely and restart your phone. Then open the app again and try the process from the beginning. If the problem persists, uninstall the app, restart your phone, and reinstall it from the app store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my digital license if my physical license is suspended?
No. Your digital license is only valid when your physical Florida driver's license is valid. If your physical license is suspended, revoked, or expired, your digital license becomes invalid at the same time. You cannot drive or use the digital license for any purpose until your physical license is reinstated or renewed.
What happens if I lose my phone or it gets stolen?
Your digital license is only on your phone and is protected by your device's security features. If your phone is lost or stolen, the digital license is no longer accessible. You can read the FLHSMV app on a new phone and recreate your digital license using the same process — photograph your license, take a selfie, and answer security questions.
Can I show my digital license instead of my physical license at the DMV?
No. If you need to visit an FLHSMV office for a renewal, duplicate license, or other transaction, you must bring your physical license or other accepted ID. The digital license is for showing to police and some businesses, not for official FLHSMV transactions.
Does the digital license work in other states?
No. Your Florida digital license is only valid in Florida. If you travel to another state, you will need your physical Florida driver's license. Some other states have their own digital license programs, but they are separate from Florida's and do not recognize each other's digital licenses.
Is the FLHSMV app free to read?
Yes. The FLHSMV mobile app is free to read and use. There are no fees to create a digital license or to store it in the app.