How to add a driver’s license or state ID to the Apple wallet
Apple has added the ability to add a digital state or driver license to Apple years ago, with the first support statistics announced back in 2021.
In the US, there are currently ten countries/territories in the US that support this ability, with another 8 in the future. There is also a message that a function may soon come to Great Britain
Here’s how to add a driver’s license and state ID to the Apple wallets on your iPhone and Apple Watch and why you might want.
This is an approach based on standards (ISO 18013-5), which is supposed to be safer and more private than physical identification, as well as Finlly to close one of the last spaces that make people leave the house without their wallet.
Update 20 August 2025: Montana is the latest state that Apple has a digital driver’s license.
How to add driving license ID to Apple’s wallet
Adding a driving license or ID to Apple’s wallet is simple, follow these steps:
- Open wallet
- Click “Add” (+) in the upper right corner.
- Tap Driver’s License or State ID and select your status.
- Now follow the instructions on the screen: First, you will be asked if you want to add your ID to your iPhone or Apple Watch if you have a pair of Apple Watch.
- You will also be asked to photograph your current ID, probably front and back.
- You will make you take several matching pictures. The phone will direct you to be in an illuminated area with a simple dark background and put your head in the frame. Then turn your head or create your face expressions (close your eyes and open your mouth) according to the direct phone. This information will be used to help you match your appearance with your photo record. Think about it as a person and make sure you look like a photo on your ID.
Foundry
Which states support Apple’s wallets and IDs
States that currently support the digital ID in Apple’s wallet are:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Montana
- New Mexico
- Ohio
- Puerto Rico
States and territories that promised future support are:
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
When will the United Kingdom support Apple’s wallet licenses?
The UK Government announced plans to launch the wallet and the application of Gov.uk, in which the drivers of the license will be digital copy of the driving license.
The new application comes this summer and the ability to store licenses on digital drivers, later in 2025. The digital driving license will be piloted later in 2025, with plans to offer a digital alternative, along with paper or cards, by the end of 2027.
Why add ID and Driver’s license to Apple’s wallet?
Your Apple ID is safer than carrying a physical card that could be lost or could detect personal information to someone you may not want to have.
Digital ID in Apple’s wallet does not show any personal information other than your name. If you click (i) to get more information and then click Information about a driving licenseYour iPhone requires face ID or touch login ID to display things like your address, date of birth, height, eye color, identification number, etc.
The information is transferred only via NFC (which begins with a secure Bluetooth data connection), not via a barcode or anything else that can be easily copied. So you never need to hand over your phone to a police officer, an agent TSA or to anyone else, and if they do, they can get your personal information without verifying.
Using your digital ID works a lot like Apple Pay. You hold your iPhone near the reader (which may be another iPhone) and the screen will appear and tell exactly the information you will share. Double the side button and approve it as well as the approval of the payment.
Currently, police agencies do not accept digital ID as driving licenses, so you have to carry your physical card with you when you go. But TSA implemented readers at checkpoints at some airports (see map here) and came some age restaurant, and the reader also fell. What’s more, applications that require age identification (such as car rental or ordering alcohol) can use information stored in your wallet to provide evidence of age.
It is nice on digital ID that they can only transfer the necessary information and nothing more. The Rourcer, who wants to check the ID at the entrance to the venue, should read that shows your identification photo and simply conflicts if you have 21, for example -would not give your actual date of birth, identification number, address or any other information they need. Gots for Apps that require age verification. Nothing is transmitted without verification, so you not only do not have to pass your phone to anyone else, but it wouldn’t help.
Why doesn’t Apple’s wallet let me add your driving license?
If you are in the US, it may be that your state does not support this function yet.
If your status is in the ABOO list and you can add a license to add a license, it can be due to an Apple server failure (check it here). If this is not the result, then Apple recommends contacting your “publishing authority”.
If you are outside the US, they are bad news. The ability to add an ID and ride license is probably uncertain where you are. It is not for Apple to implement this function, but rather a decision on the ground level. The United Kingdom government announced plans for the digital version of the driving license and other countries, it will probably do it.