Apple announced plans to turn the iPhone into a driver’s license as early as 2021. Plane tickets, movie passes and credit cards were already digital. Now it was time to digitize government-issued ID cards.
So far, very few US states allow you to add your driver’s license or ID to Apple Wallet. However, there are other states without Wallet support where your iPhone can still become your driver’s license.
Apple Wallet credentials
What’s the benefit of making your driver’s license or ID available in Apple Wallet? For now, it’s very similar to using Apple Pay to pay in a store.
Rather than showing your physical driver’s license or ID card at TSA checkpoints at airports, simply tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on an NFC reader to validate your identity. Boarding passes have long since gone digital, and driving licenses are catching up.
There does not appear to be a race to complete or even start the transition to digital IDs, however. Currently, three states and four airports support IDs in Wallet.
You can add your ID to Wallet on iPhone in these states, according to Apple:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Maryland
- Georgia
Apple said in 2021 that Arizona, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Utah are also committed to supporting the feature. For now, it’s easy to find media coverage for states pledging to support digital ID since 2021 with no solution in 2024.
Airports with Wallet ID
Once your ID is added to Wallet, you can wave your iPhone to validate your identity at certain TSA checkpoints at these airports, according to Apple:
- Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
While so far only four states support IDs in Wallet, there are many other states and territories that are at varying levels of exploring support. Beyond TSA support, wallet IDs could be accepted at banks, businesses, etc.
Digital ID Applications
Although nationwide support for IDs in Wallet may take years, more states are officially offering digital IDs on iPhone without Wallet support. States with mobile ID apps on iPhone include:
These states have mobile apps that allow you to use your digital ID with contactless devices. The setup process may require registering your phone number, scanning the front and back of your physical ID, and verifying with a selfie. Users can then “certify” their digital ID to be used for TSA, age verification, and more.
Digital IDs aren’t just more convenient. When supported, a user can verify their age for age-restricted purchases like alcohol without revealing personal information like their date of birth or home address, for example.
Digital ID pilot airports
While only four airports accept ID in walletthere are many other field evaluation pilot airports that accept digital ID apps. The TSA lists these locations, although TSA PreCheck is required:
- Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
- Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
- Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)
- Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT)
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- Luis Munoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA) – Starting 3/08
- San Jose Norman Y. Mineta International Airport (SJC)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Richmond International Airport (RIC)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)
- Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)
When will my state get digital driver’s licenses?
If you don’t live in one of the few states that supports digital IDs, you’re probably wondering when your state will make the list. Legislative bodies in each state and territory must propose and pass their own laws authorizing digital driver’s licenses. This process is probably the biggest bottleneck.
Once legal, state officials must agree on the best way to implement digital IDs. Companies like IDEMIA simplify this process, but each state addresses issues like support and security separately.
Several states have already legalized driver’s licenses and digital ID cards, but have not put a solution in place. Laws have been adopted recently, in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Some states are testing small pilot programs before officially launching support. Most states that offer digital ID support do not charge for access, but some states charge a one-time $10 fee or a $2 annual fee.
Having your driver’s license available in Apple Wallet on your iPhone without downloading something from the App Store is the ideal scenario. If you’re wondering when your state will take the plunge, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with your state’s digital ID laws as well as recent media coverage on progress toward implementation. This data will give you the best information to manage your expectations.
Is there missing data? Have you ever added your ID to Wallet or used your digital ID in the real world? Let us know in the comments.
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