Select U.S. States Now Offer Digital Driver's Licenses

The way we use our driver's licenses is changing in the United States. Now, more states are allowing people to have a digital version of their driver's license or state ID on devices like iPhones, Apple Watches, and other smartphones through Apple Wallet.

This means you won't always have to carry your physical ID to prove who you are at places like airports, shops, or other buildings.

California has recently joined the list of states that offer this new digital option. This move makes it one of the leading states in embracing this technology, which started to become available in 2021.

And it's not just for Apple users; people with Google and Samsung devices can also use digital licenses in some states.
 

These States Support Digital Driver's Licenses

If you live in one of the following states, you can keep a digital version of your driver's license:
 

• Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio, and Puerto Rico offer digital IDs through Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and some through Samsung Wallet.
• California residents can use California DMV Wallet, Apple Wallet, Google Wallet.
• Hawaii and Puerto Rico support Apple Wallet.
• Iowa also uses its own Mobile ID app, alongside Apple and Samsung Wallets.
• Louisiana has the LA Wallet app.
• New York residents can use the NY MiD App.
• Utah has the GET Mobile App, and Virginia uses the Virginia Mobile App.
• West Virginia supports the WV MiD App.

California’s Governor Gavin Newsom said that this digital ID would help people use their smartphones, something they already use every day, to make identification easier.
 

Pros and Cons of Digital IDs

Digital IDs can make it faster and easier to check your identity without needing a physical card. However, not everywhere accepts digital IDs yet, especially outside the U.S., so you'll still need your actual driver's license sometimes.

As technology gets better, it's likely that more states will start offering digital IDs. Some states like Montana, West Virginia, Connecticut, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Utah have already said they'll introduce digital driver’s licenses soon.

So, we're moving towards a future where digital IDs might become the normal way to show who you are. And with many platforms supporting digital IDs, that future might not be too far away.

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