How to Add Your Driver's License to Apple Wallet

The basic steps to add your driver's license to Apple Wallet

To add your driver's license to Apple Wallet on an iPhone or iPad, open the Wallet app, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner, select "Driver's License or State ID," and follow the prompts to scan the front and back of your license. You'll take a photo of your face and verify your identity, then Apple sends your information to your state's DMV or equivalent agency for approval. Once approved — which usually takes a few days to a week — your digital license appears in Wallet and you can show it to police or at TSA checkpoints without handing over the physical card.

The process requires an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or newer iPad Pro with M2 or later. Older iPhones cannot store digital IDs. You'll also need to be in a state that has launched its mobile driver's license program; not all states offer this yet, and the states that do have rolled it out at different times.

Key Takeaways

You need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPad Pro with M2 or later to store a digital driver's license in Apple Wallet.
Only certain states currently offer mobile driver's licenses through Apple Wallet, and you must live in or hold a license from one of those states to add yours.
The approval process involves sending your photo and identity information to your state's DMV, which takes several days to a week.
Once approved, you can show your digital license at airport security, to police, or at age-restricted purchases without handing over your physical card.
Your physical driver's license remains valid and should be kept with you even after you add the digital version to Wallet.

Which states currently support mobile driver's licenses in Apple Wallet

As of now, only a handful of states have launched mobile driver's license programs compatible with Apple Wallet. Arizona, Georgia, and Maryland were among the first to roll out this feature. Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington have also launched or announced programs. However, the list continues to grow, and new states add support regularly.

To find out whether your state supports mobile driver's licenses, open the Wallet app on a compatible iPhone or iPad, tap the plus sign, and select "Driver's License or State ID." The app will show you which states are currently available. If your state does not appear, you cannot add your license yet, even if you own a compatible device. Some states may roll out the feature to certain regions first before making it available statewide.

Device requirements and compatibility

Apple Wallet's digital ID feature only works on the newest Apple devices. You must have an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or an iPad Pro with an M2 chip or later. If you own an iPhone 15, iPhone 14, or any older model, you cannot store a digital driver's license in Wallet, regardless of which state you live in or how new your iOS version is. The feature requires the advanced camera and security hardware built into the Pro models.

Your device must also be running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Before you start the process, check that your iPhone or iPad is fully updated. Go to Settings, tap General, then Software Update to see if an update is available. Apple regularly releases security updates for the Wallet app, so staying current ensures the feature works smoothly and your identity information stays protected.

What information you'll need to provide during setup

When you add your driver's license to Apple Wallet, you'll need to provide several pieces of information and documentation. Have your physical driver's license in front of you, as you'll use it to scan the front and back. The app uses your device's camera to read the information printed on your card, so make sure you're in good lighting and the card is flat and fully visible in the frame.

You'll also need to take a selfie — a photo of your face — which Apple uses to verify your identity. This photo is different from the one on your license. The app guides you through the process and tells you if the photo is acceptable before you submit it. After you submit your information, Apple sends it to your state's DMV or licensing agency for verification. This is why approval takes several days rather than happening when ready.

How long approval takes and what happens while you wait

After you submit your information, your state's DMV reviews it and verifies that the license is valid and that you are the person on the card. This process typically takes three to seven days, though it can occasionally take longer depending on how busy your state's system is. You'll receive a notification in the Wallet app once your license has been approved and is ready to use.

While you wait for approval, your digital license does not appear in Wallet yet. You can still use your physical driver's license for any purpose. There is no downside to starting the process early; you straightforward have both your physical card and the option to use the digital version once it's approved. If your state's DMV rejects your submission, the app will tell you why — usually because the photo quality was poor, the license information didn't scan correctly, or there was a mismatch between your selfie and your license photo. You can resubmit and try again.

How to use your digital driver's license once it's approved

Once your digital license is approved and appears in Apple Wallet, you can show it to police officers, TSA agents at airport security, or businesses checking your age. To display your license, open Wallet, tap your digital ID, and hold your iPhone or iPad near the reader or toward the person asking to see it. You don't need to unlock your phone or enter a passcode — the device handles the authentication automatically.

At airport security, TSA officers have readers that can scan your digital license just like they scan a physical card. At police stops, officers can use compatible readers, though many departments are still rolling out this technology. Some businesses, like bars or retailers, may not yet have readers for digital IDs, so you may still need to show your physical license in those situations. Keep your physical driver's license with you at all times, because not all locations accept digital versions yet.

Privacy and security considerations

Apple Wallet stores your digital driver's license on your device using encryption, which means the information is scrambled and protected. When you show your digital ID to someone, only the information they need to see is shared — for example, a TSA officer sees your name and birthdate but not your address or Social Security number. You control what information is displayed each time you present your ID.

Your state's DMV does not store a copy of your digital license in Apple Wallet. Instead, Apple stores it on your device and verifies it with your state's system when needed. If you lose your iPhone or iPad, you can remove the digital license from that device using iCloud or by signing into another Apple device. Your physical driver's license remains valid, and you can add your digital license to a new device once you get one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital driver's license if my phone dies?

No. Your digital license only works when your device has power and is turned on. If your battery dies, you cannot display it. This is why you should always carry your physical driver's license as a backup, especially when driving or traveling.

What happens if I upgrade to a new iPhone?

When you set up a new iPhone, you can restore your digital driver's license from your iCloud backup. If you don't use iCloud backup, you'll need to add your license to the new device through the Wallet app again. Your state's DMV will recognize you and the process is faster the second time.

Can I add my passport or other ID to Apple Wallet?

Currently, Apple Wallet only supports driver's licenses and state ID cards. Passports and other forms of identification cannot be added. This may change in the future as more states and countries develop compatible digital ID systems.

Do I still need my physical driver's license if I have the digital version?

Yes. You should always carry your physical driver's license. Not all locations accept digital IDs yet, and your phone could die, get lost, or be stolen. The digital version is a convenience, not a replacement.

What if my state doesn't support mobile driver's licenses yet?

You cannot add your license to Apple Wallet if your state hasn't launched the program. Check the Wallet app periodically to see if your state has been added. You can also contact your state's DMV to ask when the feature will be available.

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.