How to Add Your Driver License to Apple Wallet on iPhone

What the iPhone driver license app actually does

The iPhone driver license feature is built into Apple Wallet, not a separate app you read. When you add your driver license to Wallet, you create a digital version stored on your phone that you can show to police during traffic stops or to TSA agents at airport security. The license itself remains issued by your state's DMV — this feature just lets you carry a copy on your phone alongside the physical card.

Not every state offers this yet. As of now, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming support digital licenses in Apple Wallet. More states are adding support regularly, but your state may not have launched the program yet.

The digital license uses encryption and biometric security — your face or fingerprint — so only you can display it. When you show it to an officer or TSA agent, they scan a code on your phone's screen using their own reader. Your personal information stays on your device; the reader only confirms that the license is real.

Key Takeaways

You add your driver license to Apple Wallet through the Wallet app itself, not through a separate read, and the feature only works on iPhone XS and newer models running iOS 15.1 or later.
Your state must support digital licenses in Apple Wallet — check your state DMV website to confirm, because not all states have launched this feature yet.
You will need your physical driver license, a valid passport or state ID, and a working internet connection to add your license to Wallet.
The digital license requires Face ID or Touch ID to display, so only you can show it to an officer or TSA agent, even if someone else has your phone.
A digital license does not replace your physical card — you still need to carry your physical driver license at all times.

Check if your state supports digital licenses

Before you start the process, confirm that your state's DMV has launched digital driver license support in Apple Wallet. Visit your state DMV's official website and search for "digital driver license" or "mobile driver license." The page will tell you whether the feature is available and which iPhone models work.

If your state does not yet support digital licenses, you cannot add your license to Wallet no matter what you do. Some states are still in pilot programs or have not launched the feature at all. Check back on your state DMV website periodically — new states are added throughout the year.

Verify your iPhone model and iOS version

Digital driver licenses only work on iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and all newer models. If you have an iPhone X or older, you cannot add a license to Wallet. You also need to be running iOS 15.1 or later. Check your iOS version by going to Settings, then General, then About, and looking at the "Software Version" number.

If your phone is older than iPhone XS or your iOS version is below 15.1, you will need to either update your phone or use your physical driver license. You can update iOS by going to Settings, General, Software Update, and following the prompts — make sure your phone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.

Gather the documents you need before starting

Have these items ready before you open Wallet and begin adding your license:

Your physical driver license
A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or state ID
A working internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular)
Your iPhone, unlocked and ready to use

You will need to photograph both your driver license and your passport or ID during the process, so make sure you are in a well-lit space. The photos need to be clear enough for the system to read the text and security features on both documents.

Step-by-step: Adding your license to Apple Wallet

Step 1: Open Wallet and start the process. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone. Tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Scroll down and tap "Driver's License or State ID." Tap "get your free guide."

Step 2: Choose your state. Select your state from the list. If your state is not listed, it does not yet support digital licenses in Apple Wallet, and you cannot proceed.

Step 3: Photograph your driver license. Follow the on-screen instructions to take a photo of the front of your physical driver license. The camera will guide you to position the license correctly. Take a clear photo in good lighting — the system needs to read all the text and security features.

Step 4: Photograph the back of your license. Take a photo of the back of your driver license using the same process.

Step 5: Photograph your passport or state ID. Take a photo of your passport, passport card, or state ID. This is how the DMV verifies your identity. Follow the on-screen positioning guides.

Step 6: Take a selfie for identity verification. The system will ask you to take a selfie. Position your face in the circle on the screen and follow any instructions to move your head or blink. This confirms that you are the person on the license.

Step 7: Review and submit. Review all the information you entered. Tap "Submit" to send your request to your state DMV.

Step 8: Wait for approval. Your state DMV will review your submission. This usually takes a few minutes to a few hours, but can take up to 24 hours. You will receive a notification when your license is approved and added to Wallet.

What happens after your license is approved

Once your state DMV approves your digital license, it appears in your Wallet app as a card. To show your license to a police officer or TSA agent, open Wallet, tap your driver license, and then authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. Your phone will display your license on the screen, and the officer or agent can scan the code using their reader.

Your digital license stays on your phone and is encrypted — the person scanning it cannot see your full information or read anything from your device. Only the verification that your license is valid is transmitted. You still need to carry your physical driver license at all times, because not all officers or locations accept digital licenses yet.

If your phone dies, is lost, or is stolen, your digital license is protected by your phone's security. A thief cannot display your license without your Face ID or Touch ID. If you lose your phone, you can remove the license from your account through your state DMV's website or app, or by contacting the DMV directly.

Common problems and what to do

Your state is not listed in Wallet. Your state has not yet launched digital driver licenses in Apple Wallet. Check your state DMV website for updates, or contact the DMV directly to ask when the feature will be available.

Your photos are rejected. Make sure your license and ID photos are clear, in good lighting, and show all four corners of the document. Remove any glare or shadows. Try taking the photos again in a brighter location. If the system keeps rejecting them, contact your state DMV for help.

Your identity verification fails. The selfie step requires good lighting and a clear view of your face. Remove glasses if they create glare, and make sure your face is fully visible. Try the process again. If it fails multiple times, contact your state DMV — you may need to verify your identity through a different method.

Your submission is stuck in "pending" status. Wait at least 24 hours. If it is still pending after a full day, contact your state DMV directly. Provide them with your driver license number and the date you submitted your request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license instead of my physical license?

No. You must carry your physical driver license at all times. The digital license is an additional option, but not all police officers or locations accept it yet. Some states are still rolling out acceptance among law enforcement, so always have your physical card with you.

What if my phone is dead when a police officer asks for my license?

You cannot show your digital license if your phone is off or has no battery. This is why you must always carry your physical driver license. If an officer asks for your license and your phone is dead, show your physical card.

Is my personal information safe when someone scans my digital license?

Yes. The scanner only reads a code that verifies your license is real — it does not access your personal information, photos, or any other data on your phone. Your information stays encrypted on your device.

What if I get a new iPhone?

When you set up your new iPhone and sign in with your Apple ID, your digital license transfers automatically to Wallet. You do not need to add it again. If you switch to a non-Apple phone, you will lose access to the digital license and must use your physical card.

Can I add multiple licenses or IDs to Wallet?

You can add your driver license and a state ID to the same Wallet, but you cannot add licenses from multiple states. If you have licenses in more than one state, you can only keep one active in Wallet at a time.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.