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

To add your driver's license to Apple Wallet, open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad, 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 selfie for verification. Apple will send your information to your state's motor vehicle department for approval. Once approved — which usually takes a few days to a few weeks — your digital license appears in Wallet and you can use it at TSA checkpoints and some police traffic stops.

The process requires an iPhone 12 or newer (or iPad Pro 4th generation or newer) and iOS 15.1 or later. Not all states have launched the feature yet, and those that have may have different timelines for approval. You can check whether your state supports digital driver's licenses on Apple's website or by opening Wallet and attempting to add one.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an iPhone 12 or newer, iOS 15.1 or later, and a state that has launched digital ID support to add your license to Wallet.
  • The Wallet app scans your physical license and takes a selfie, then sends both to your state's motor vehicle department for verification.
  • Approval typically takes several days to a few weeks, and you can use your digital license at TSA checkpoints and some police stops once approved.
  • Your digital license is encrypted on your phone and does not store a copy on Apple's servers or in iCloud.
  • You keep your physical license — the digital version is an additional form of ID, not a replacement.

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

As of early 2024, Arizona, Georgia, Connecticut, Maryland, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming have launched digital ID support in Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add the feature throughout 2024 and beyond, but the rollout is gradual and varies by state.

To find out whether your state supports it, open Wallet, tap the plus sign, and select "Driver's License or State ID." If your state is not listed, you will see a message saying the feature is not yet available in your state. You can also check your state's motor vehicle department website for announcements about when digital ID will launch.

What happens during the verification process

When you add your license to Wallet, the app scans the front and back of your physical license using your phone's camera. It then prompts you to take a selfie so Apple can verify that you are the person on the license. The app uses facial recognition technology to compare your selfie to the photo on your license.

After you complete the scan and selfie, Apple encrypts all the information and sends it to your state's motor vehicle department for final verification. Your state checks the data against its records to confirm the license is valid and that you are the rightful owner. This verification step is why approval takes time — your state has to manually or automatically confirm the information before your digital license becomes active in Wallet.

During this waiting period, you cannot use the digital license yet. Once your state approves it, you will receive a notification in Wallet, and the digital license will be ready to use.

How to use your digital license at TSA checkpoints and police stops

At TSA checkpoints, you can present your digital license by opening Wallet, selecting your driver's license, and holding your phone up to the TSA agent's reader device. The agent scans the digital license the same way they would scan a barcode on a physical card. You do not have to unlock your phone or authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID — the digital license is accessible without unlocking.

For police traffic stops, the process is similar: open Wallet, tap your driver's license, and hand your phone to the officer. Some police departments have the technology to read digital licenses, but not all do yet. If an officer does not have a reader, you can still show your physical license. Many states recommend carrying your physical license as a backup until digital ID readers become more widespread.

Your digital license works the same way as your physical one for identification purposes. It contains the same information — name, address, date of birth, license number, and expiration date — but in a find digital format that cannot be copied or shared without your knowledge.

Security and privacy of your digital license in Wallet

Apple stores your digital license information directly on your phone, encrypted and separate from other data. The information does not sync to iCloud, does not back up to your computer, and does not appear in any cloud storage. If you lose your phone, your digital license is not accessible to anyone else — it is locked to your device.

When you present your digital license to a TSA agent or police officer, they can only see the information you choose to show them. Unlike a physical license, which displays all your information at once, the digital version can be configured to show only what is needed for the transaction. For example, at a TSA checkpoint, the agent may only see your name, date of birth, and license number — not your address or other details.

If your phone is stolen or lost, you can remove the digital license from Wallet remotely using Find My iPhone. You can also contact your state's motor vehicle department to report the loss and request that the digital license be deactivated on their end.

What to do if your state has not launched digital ID yet

If your state does not yet support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet, you have a few options. First, check your state's motor vehicle department website or social media accounts for announcements about when the feature will launch. Many states have published timelines, though some have not committed to a specific date.

In the meantime, you can continue using your physical driver's license for all identification purposes. There is no penalty or disadvantage to waiting — your physical license remains valid and accepted everywhere. When your state does launch digital ID support, you can add your license to Wallet at that time without any special steps or paperwork.

If you travel frequently or use TSA PreCheck, you may want to check back periodically on your state's motor vehicle department website. Some states have prioritized the rollout to frequent travelers or specific regions before making it available statewide.

Troubleshooting common problems when adding your license to Wallet

If the Wallet app will not let you add your license, first confirm that your phone meets the requirements: iPhone 12 or newer with iOS 15.1 or later. If your device is older, you cannot use this feature. Check your iOS version by going to Settings, then General, then About, and looking at the Software Version number.

If your device meets the requirements but the feature still is not available, your state may not have launched digital ID support yet. Try again in a few weeks or check your state's motor vehicle department website for updates.

If you are in a state that supports digital ID but your license is rejected during verification, the most common reasons are that the scan was unclear, the selfie did not match the photo on your license, or there is a mismatch between the information on your license and your state's records. If this happens, Wallet will show an error message explaining why. You can try again, making sure the license is well-lit and the selfie is taken in good lighting. If the problem persists, contact your state's motor vehicle department directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to delete my physical driver's license if I add it to Apple Wallet?

No. Your physical license remains valid and you should keep it. The digital version is an additional form of ID, not a replacement. Many places still do not have readers for digital licenses, so you will need your physical license as a backup for the foreseeable future.

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

No. Your state's motor vehicle department will reject the request during verification if your license is suspended, revoked, or expired. You must have a valid, active license to add it to Wallet.

What happens to my digital license if I renew my physical license?

When you renew your physical license, your digital license in Wallet will expire on the same date as your old physical license. You will need to add your new renewed license to Wallet as a separate entry. You can then delete the old expired digital license from Wallet.

Can someone else use my digital license if they have my phone?

No. Your digital license is locked to your device and cannot be used without your phone. If someone steals your phone, they cannot present your digital license to anyone because it requires your phone to be present. You can also remotely disable it using Find My iPhone.

Is my digital license accepted outside the United States?

Digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet are currently only recognized in the United States. If you travel internationally, you will need your physical passport or driver's license. Check with your destination country for their ID requirements before traveling.