Adding your driver's license to iPhone Wallet in three steps
To add your driver's license to your iPhone, open the Wallet app, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner, select "Driver's License or State ID," and follow the on-screen prompts to scan the front and back of your license and take a photo of yourself. The process takes about five minutes. Your state must participate in the program — currently, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah support mobile driver's licenses in Wallet, with more states expected to add support over time.
Once you've added your license, you can show it to police officers, TSA agents at airport security, or other officials by opening Wallet, selecting your license, and holding your iPhone or Apple Watch near their reader. You don't need to unlock your phone or authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID every time — the first time you present it, you'll authenticate, and then it works for a set period without re-authenticating.
Your license data stays encrypted on your device. Apple does not see it, and the person checking your ID cannot store or save the information — their reader only captures what you choose to show them.
Key Takeaways
- Your state must support mobile driver's licenses in Wallet; check your state's DMV website to confirm before you start.
- You'll need your physical driver's license, an iPhone 15 or later (or Apple Watch Series 9 or later), and a working camera to add your license.
- The Wallet app stores your license data encrypted on your device, and officials cannot save or copy the information when you present it.
- You can present your mobile license to police, TSA, and other officials by opening Wallet and holding your phone near their reader.
- If your state doesn't support mobile licenses yet, you'll need to carry your physical license until your state joins the program.
Which states support mobile driver's licenses right now
Fifteen states currently allow you to add your driver's license to Wallet: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah. Each state rolled out the feature on its own timeline, and more states are expected to add support in the coming months and years.
To find out whether your state supports mobile licenses, visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website and search for "mobile driver's license" or "digital ID." The DMV page will tell you whether the feature is available and whether you can add your license through Wallet or through a separate state app. Some states may require you to use their own app instead of Apple Wallet.
If your state does not yet support mobile licenses, you'll continue to carry your physical license. Check back with your state DMV periodically, as new states are adding support regularly.
What you need before you start
You need an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max to add your driver's license to Wallet. If you have an older iPhone, you cannot add a license — you'll need to upgrade your device or continue using your physical license. Alternatively, if you own an Apple Watch Series 9 or later, you can add your license to the watch instead, though you'll still need an iPhone 15 or later to set it up initially.
You'll also need your physical driver's license in hand, a working camera on your iPhone, and a stable internet connection. The Wallet app will ask you to photograph the front and back of your license and take a selfie, so make sure you're in good lighting and the camera lens is clean.
Your license must be current and not expired. If your license is expired, you'll need to renew it through your state DMV before you can add it to Wallet.
Step-by-step: adding your license to Wallet
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone. If you don't see it on your home screen, swipe left to find it, or search for "Wallet" in Spotlight. Tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner of the screen.
Tap "Driver's License or State ID." You'll see a message explaining what information Wallet will store and how it works. Read it, then tap "Continue." Wallet will ask you to choose which state you're in — select your state from the list.
Position your physical driver's license in front of your iPhone camera. The app will guide you to photograph the front of the license first, then the back. Make sure the entire license is visible and in focus. After you've photographed both sides, the app will ask you to take a selfie. Follow the on-screen instructions — you'll be asked to look directly at the camera and may be asked to blink or move your head slightly so the app can verify you're a real person.
Once you've submitted your photos, your state's DMV will review your information. This usually takes a few minutes to a few hours, though it can take longer during busy periods. You'll receive a notification in Wallet when your license has been added. Until then, you'll see a "Pending" status in Wallet, and you won't be able to use the mobile license yet.
How to use your mobile license when you need to show ID
When a police officer, TSA agent, or other official asks to see your ID, open the Wallet app and tap your driver's license. Your license will appear on the screen. Hold your iPhone near the official's reader — they'll have a small device that looks similar to a credit card reader. The reader will capture your license information without you needing to unlock your phone or authenticate.
The first time you present your license, you may be asked to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. After that, your license will work for a set period (usually 24 hours) without requiring you to authenticate again. This is a security feature to prevent someone from using your phone if they steal it.
You can also add your license to an Apple Watch Series 9 or later. Once you've added it to your iPhone, open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Wallet, and tap your driver's license. Tap "Add to Apple Watch." You'll then be able to present your license from your watch by opening Wallet on the watch and tapping your license.
What happens to your information and who can see it
Your driver's license information is encrypted and stored only on your iPhone. Apple cannot see it, and your state's DMV cannot access it after your license has been added. The data never leaves your device unless you choose to present your license to someone.
When you hold your iPhone near an official's reader, they receive only the information you've chosen to show them — typically your name, date of birth, license number, and photo. The reader cannot store, copy, or save this information. It's a one-time read, similar to how a contactless credit card works. The official cannot take a screenshot or photograph your license from the screen.
If you lose your iPhone or it's stolen, your license data remains encrypted and inaccessible to whoever has the phone. You can remove your license from Wallet at any time by opening Wallet, tapping your license, tapping the three dots in the upper right corner, and selecting "Remove." You'll then need to carry your physical license again.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you see an error message saying your state is not supported, double-check your state's DMV website. Some states may have rolled out mobile licenses only recently, or your state may require you to use a state-specific app instead of Apple Wallet. If your state is listed as supported but you still see an error, try restarting your iPhone and opening Wallet again.
If your license is stuck on "Pending" for more than a few hours, check your email for messages from your state's DMV. They may be asking you to re-submit photos or verify your identity. If you don't see any messages, contact your state's DMV directly — they can tell you whether your submission was received and why it might be delayed.
If your iPhone camera won't focus on your license, make sure you're in good lighting, the camera lens is clean, and you're holding the license flat and parallel to your phone. If the selfie camera keeps failing, try moving to a different location with better lighting, or try again later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need to carry my physical driver's license?
Yes, you should carry your physical license as a backup. While most police officers and TSA agents now accept mobile licenses, not all readers are equipped to scan them yet, and some officials may still ask for the physical card. Having both ensures you're covered in any situation.
Can I add my license to Wallet if my state doesn't support it yet?
No. You can only add your license if your state participates in the program. Check your state DMV's website to see if mobile licenses are available. If not, you'll need to wait until your state rolls out the feature or continue using your physical license.
What if I get a new iPhone — do I have to add my license again?
When you set up a new iPhone and restore from your backup, your driver's license will transfer to the new device automatically. You won't need to re-photograph it or go through the verification process again. If you set up the new iPhone as a fresh device without restoring a backup, you'll need to add your license again.
Can someone else use my mobile license if they have my phone?
Not easily. The first time someone tries to present your license, they'll need to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. If they can't unlock your phone or pass Face ID, they can't present your license. After authentication, it works for a set period without re-authenticating, so if your phone is stolen when ready after you use it, there's a brief window of risk — which is why you should report a stolen phone to your carrier and Apple right away.
Is my information safe if I present my mobile license to a stranger?
Yes. The reader can only see the information you're showing them in that moment — they cannot store it, copy it, or access it later. It's a one-time read. Your full license data remains encrypted on your phone and is never transmitted or stored anywhere else.