How to Add Your Driver's License to Apple Wallet and Use It

Adding 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, and select "Driver's License or State ID." You'll be asked to take a photo of the front and back of your license, then a selfie for identity verification. Apple sends your information to your state's DMV to confirm it's real. Once approved — which usually takes a few days — your digital license appears in Wallet alongside your credit cards and passes.

Not every state offers this feature yet. As of now, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, and Utah support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add support over time. You can check whether your state participates by opening Wallet, tapping the plus sign, and seeing whether "Driver's License or State ID" appears as an option.

You'll need an iPhone XS or later, or an iPad Pro (3rd generation) or later, running iOS 15.1 or iPadOS 15.1 or newer. Your device must have Face ID or Touch ID enabled. If you're upgrading to a new iPhone, you can transfer your digital license during setup, and it will remain in your old phone's Wallet for 30 days as a backup.

Key Takeaways

Your state's DMV must first verify your identity before your digital license becomes active in Wallet, a process that typically takes a few days.
Only 14 states currently support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet, so check whether your state is one of them before starting the process.
You can show your digital license to police officers or at TSA checkpoints by holding your iPhone or iPad near the reader, or by unlocking your device and opening Wallet.
Your physical license remains valid and required; the digital version is an additional option, not a replacement.
If you lose your iPhone, you can remove your digital license remotely through iCloud.com or by signing into Find My on another device.

What happens during the verification process

When you submit your license photos and selfie, Apple encrypts the data and sends it to your state's DMV. The DMV checks that your license number, expiration date, and personal information match their records. This verification step is required by law — states need to confirm you're the actual license holder before allowing a digital version to exist.

During this time, your digital license shows as "pending" in Wallet. You cannot use it yet. The wait is usually two to three days, but can take up to a week depending on your state's processing speed. You'll receive a notification in Wallet once verification is complete and your license is ready to use.

If verification fails, Wallet will tell you why — usually because the information on your photos doesn't match the DMV's records, the photos are blurry, or your license is expired. You can try again by taking clearer photos or updating your license if it's no longer valid.

How to present your digital license to police or TSA

When a police officer or TSA agent asks for your ID, unlock your iPhone or iPad and open Wallet. Tap your driver's license. The officer or agent will hold a reader device near your phone, similar to how you'd tap to pay with a credit card. The reader scans the encrypted data on your license without showing your full information on their screen — they see only what's necessary for their purpose.

At TSA checkpoints, the process is the same. Hold your phone near the reader at the ID check stand. TSA agents are trained to accept digital licenses in states where they're available. You do not need to unlock your phone or open Wallet first at TSA checkpoints — just have your phone ready.

If the reader doesn't work or the officer prefers your physical license, you can still show your plastic card. Your digital license is an option, not a requirement. Keep your physical license with you as a backup.

Privacy and security of your digital license

Apple stores your license data on your device's find enclave, a separate chip that keeps sensitive information isolated from the rest of your phone. Your license number, photo, and personal details never leave your phone unless you authorize a reader to access them. Even then, the reader gets only the information needed for that specific transaction — a police officer doesn't see your address or license number unless they specifically request it.

Your state's DMV does not store a copy of your digital license. Apple does not see your license data after the initial verification. Only your device holds the full information. If someone steals your phone, they cannot access your digital license without your Face ID or passcode.

You control which information is shared each time a reader scans your license. If an officer or agent asks for ID, you can see what data they're requesting before you authorize the scan. You can refuse to share your digital license and show your physical one instead.

What to do if you lose your phone or upgrade

If your iPhone is lost or stolen, sign into iCloud.com from another device, go to Find My, select your phone, and choose "Erase This Device." This removes your digital license from the lost phone. Your license remains in your Wallet on any other Apple devices you own, and you can add it to a new iPhone once you get one.

When you upgrade to a new iPhone, your digital license transfers automatically during setup if you use iCloud to restore your data. The license remains in your old phone's Wallet for 30 days, then disappears automatically. You can manually remove it sooner by opening Wallet on the old phone, swiping left on your license, and tapping delete.

If your license expires or you renew it with your state's DMV, you'll need to add the new license to Wallet separately. The old one will stop working once your state marks it as expired in their system.

Troubleshooting common problems

If "Driver's License or State ID" doesn't appear when you tap the plus sign in Wallet, your state doesn't yet support digital licenses, or your device doesn't meet the requirements. Check that you're running iOS 15.1 or later and that your iPhone or iPad has Face ID or Touch ID. If both are true and your state is on the supported list, restart your device and try again.

If verification is taking longer than a week, contact your state's DMV directly. Provide them with your license number and the date you submitted your digital license request. They can tell you whether your submission is still being processed or whether something went wrong.

If a reader won't scan your license, make sure your phone is unlocked and Wallet is open with your license displayed. Hold your phone steady near the reader for a few seconds. If it still doesn't work, the reader may not support digital licenses yet, or there may be a technical issue. Show your physical license instead and ask the officer or agent whether they can try again.

Your physical license is still required

Adding your license to Apple Wallet does not replace your physical driver's license. You must continue to carry your plastic card. Some officers, agents, or businesses may not have readers that accept digital licenses, or they may prefer the physical card. Your state's DMV still requires you to have a valid physical license.

The digital version is a convenience — you can leave your wallet at home if you have your phone. But if your phone dies, gets lost, or the reader doesn't work, you need your physical license to prove your identity and driving status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license if my phone is locked?

No. You must unlock your phone with Face ID or Touch ID before opening Wallet and showing your license. This is a security feature to prevent someone else from using your license if they steal your phone. At TSA checkpoints, you don't need to unlock first — just have your phone ready and the agent will guide you through the process.

What if my state isn't on the supported list yet?

You cannot add your license to Apple Wallet if your state doesn't support it. Check back periodically, as more states are expected to add support. In the meantime, keep your physical license with you. You can also contact your state's DMV to ask when digital licenses might become available.

Can I add my license to Apple Wallet if it's expired?

No. Your license must be valid and not expired to add it to Wallet. If your license is expired, renew it with your state's DMV first, then add the new one to Wallet. If your license will expire soon, you can still add it now, but you'll need to add your renewed license once you receive it.

What happens if I move to a different state?

If you move and get a new driver's license from your new state, you'll need to add that license to Wallet if your new state supports digital licenses. Your old state's digital license will stop working once your old license expires in that state's system. Remove the old license from Wallet manually to avoid confusion.

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

No. They would need to unlock your phone with your Face ID or passcode first. Even then, when a reader scans your license, it's tied to your device's find enclave, which verifies that the person presenting it is authorized. If your phone is stolen, sign into iCloud.com and erase it remotely to disable your digital license when ready.

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.