The basic steps to add your license to iPhone

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 prompts to scan your license and take a photo of yourself. The process takes about five minutes and works on iPhone XS and newer models running iOS 15.1 or later.

Not every state offers this feature yet. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add support over time.

Once your license is in Wallet, you can show it to police officers, TSA agents at airport security, and some car rental companies by unlocking your phone and opening the Wallet app. You do not need to unlock your phone each time — after the first unlock, you can present your license multiple times without Face ID or Touch ID.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state must support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet; check your state's DMV website to confirm yours does.
  • You need an iPhone XS or newer running iOS 15.1 or later, plus a valid driver's license issued by a participating state.
  • The Wallet app walks you through scanning your physical license and taking a selfie; the whole process takes about five minutes.
  • Once added, you can show your digital license to police, TSA, and some car rental companies without unlocking your phone each time.

Check whether your state supports digital licenses

Before you start, confirm that your state's DMV offers digital driver's licenses through Apple Wallet. Visit your state's official DMV website and search for "digital driver's license" or "mobile ID." 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. In that case, you will need to carry your physical license. Some states have announced plans to add this feature in the future, so check back periodically if yours is not on the list yet.

Make sure your iPhone meets the requirements

Your iPhone must be an XS model or newer and must be running iOS 15.1 or a later version. To check your iPhone model, go to Settings, tap General, then About — you will see your model name at the top. To check your iOS version, go to Settings, tap General, then Software Update.

If your iPhone is older than an XS or your iOS version is older than 15.1, you will not be able to add your license to Wallet. You can still update your iOS if a newer version is available by going to Settings > General > Software Update and tapping "Install Now."

Gather your documents and information

Before you open the Wallet app, have your physical driver's license ready. You will need to scan both the front and back of your license during the process, so make sure it is in good condition and the text and numbers are clearly readable.

You will also need to take a selfie as part of the verification process. Find a well-lit area with a plain background and make sure your face is clearly visible. You cannot use a photo from your camera roll — the app requires you to take the photo in real time during setup.

Add your license through the Wallet app

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. The app will ask you to choose whether you are adding a driver's license or a state ID — select the option that matches your document.

Follow the on-screen instructions to scan the front of your license. Hold your phone steady and position your license so that all four corners are visible in the frame. The app will tell you when the scan is complete. Repeat this process for the back of your license.

Next, the app will ask you to take a selfie. Look directly at the camera and follow any instructions about head position or lighting. The app uses this photo to verify your identity, so make sure your face is clearly visible and matches the photo on your license.

After you submit your selfie, your state's DMV will review your information. This verification process usually takes a few minutes to a few hours, though it can occasionally take longer. You will receive a notification when your license is approved and ready to use.

Use your digital license when you need it

Once your license is approved, you can show it to police officers, TSA agents at airport security, and participating car rental companies. Open the Wallet app, tap your driver's license, and hold your phone up for the person to scan or view.

The first time you present your license, you will need to unlock your phone with Face ID or Touch ID. After that, you can show your license multiple times without unlocking again — the app stays open for a set period. If your phone locks, you will need to unlock it once more before presenting your license again.

Your digital license has the same legal status as your physical license in states that support it. You can carry your phone instead of your physical license, though many people keep their physical license as a backup in case their phone dies or malfunctions.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the Wallet app will not let you add your license, first check that your state supports digital licenses and that your iPhone model and iOS version meet the requirements. If both are correct, try restarting your iPhone and opening Wallet again.

If your license is rejected during verification, the DMV will usually send you a message explaining why. Common reasons include poor photo quality, a blurry scan of your license, or a selfie that does not match your license photo. You can try again by opening Wallet, tapping the plus sign, and starting the process over.

If you lose your phone or it is stolen, your digital license is protected by the same security features as the rest of your Wallet — it requires Face ID or Touch ID to view. You can also remove your license from a lost phone by signing into iCloud.com, going to Find My, selecting your device, and choosing to erase it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license if my phone battery is dead?

No. Your iPhone must be powered on and have enough battery to unlock and open the Wallet app. If your phone dies, you will not be able to show your digital license. This is why many people keep their physical license as a backup.

Do I still need to carry my physical license?

Not in your state if it supports digital licenses and you have added your license to Wallet. However, many people carry both because your phone could malfunction, die, or be lost. Your physical license is always a valid backup.

Can I add my license to Wallet if I have a suspended or revoked license?

No. Your license must be valid and in good standing. If your license is suspended or revoked, the DMV will reject your request during the verification process.

What happens if I renew my driver's license?

When you renew your physical license, you will need to add the new license to Wallet as a separate entry. Remove the old license from Wallet and follow the same process to add your renewed license. Your state's DMV will verify the new license before it becomes active.

Can I share my digital license with someone else?

No. Your digital license is tied to your iPhone and requires your biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID) to view. You cannot share it with another person or transfer it to another phone.