Which states allow digital IDs for driver licenses and which accept them for air travel?
Executive summary
As of late 2025, a growing but still partial set of U.S. states issue official digital driver’s licenses (mDLs) and a smaller subset have digital IDs approved for use at TSA checkpoints; TSA currently accepts mobile/digital IDs from roughly a dozen to 14 issuing jurisdictions for airport screening and Apple’s new “Digital ID” (passport-based) feature is rolling out to more than 250 airports for domestic travel [1] [2] [3]. States publicly announcing mDL programs vary by outlet—lists include 11–15 states with active programs and two different media counts of TSA‑approved issuing states (nine, 11, 12, or 14) appear in reporting because the rollout and TSA waivers changed during 2024–25 [4] [5] [1] [6].
1. Who issues digital driver’s licenses today — a moving target
Multiple trackers and news outlets show that states have been steadily adding digital ID programs, but counts differ by publication: ZDNet reported 11 states with active mDL programs as of mid‑2024 (Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Utah) [4]; other summaries and DMV lists put the number higher (15 states or more) and NCSL-style compilations list many states as developing or piloting mDLs [7] [8]. Government Technology and ID industry trackers report at least five million signups across 11 interoperable states, underscoring that issuance exists but is uneven and localized [9].
2. Which states’ digital IDs will get you through TSA checkpoints
Acceptance at airport security is narrower and governed by TSA waivers and equipment compatibility. Forbes, The Points Guy and TSA materials cite a shifting list of TSA‑approved issuing states: reporting across 2024–25 lists include nine states early on, then 11 or 12, and later reports say 14 states (examples named in those sources include Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, plus Puerto Rico in some counts) [10] [5] [1] [6]. TSA’s own site says a current list of participating states and airports is maintained at tsa.gov/digital-id and availability depends on checkpoint equipment and posted signage [11] [2].
3. Apple’s Digital ID changes the denominator — passport‑based digital IDs at 250+ airports
Apple introduced a Digital ID feature that creates a passport-backed credential in Apple Wallet; Apple and news outlets say this Digital ID will be accepted in beta at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 U.S. airports for domestic travel, which sidesteps the state‑by‑state mDL patchwork by using a federal passport credential [3] [12] [2]. Coverage notes Apple’s rollout is in beta, device‑restricted, and that TSA still urges travelers to carry a physical acceptable ID as backup [3] [2] [13].
4. Practical limits — equipment, waivers, and business discretion
Even where states issue mDLs, private businesses and law enforcement may not accept them. Georgia’s DDS emphasized retailers may accept Georgia mDLs for age‑restricted sales at participating locations but acceptance is at retailers’ discretion [14] [15]. TSA warns airport availability varies by terminal/checkpoint and that if a digital ID cannot be verified, passengers must present an acceptable physical ID [11] [2]. EFF and other analysts note many use cases (bars, rental cars, law enforcement interactions) remain limited and adoption depends on verification apps and vendor acceptance [16] [9].
5. Why counts and lists disagree — rollout, waivers and reporting timing
The differing tallies in reputable outlets reflect real policy mechanics: states independently launch mDL programs; TSA grants waivers and deploys CAT‑2 readers at specific checkpoints; private wallet platforms (Apple, Google) add compatibility; and news outlets capture snapshots at different moments. Forbes and The Points Guy cite 9–14 TSA‑approved issuing states at different times; Apple’s passport‑centered Digital ID expands airport coverage quickly but is a separate path that relies on device ecosystems and a beta rollout [10] [1] [6] [3].
6. How to act if you plan to travel now
Check three live sources before flying: your state DMV for whether your state issues an mDL, TSA’s digital‑ID page for the current list of accepted issuing states and participating airports (tsa.gov/digital-id), and airline/airport signage or customer service — and carry a REAL‑ID–compliant physical ID or passport as backup [11] [2] [17]. If you’re an iPhone user without an mDL‑issuing state, Apple’s Digital ID passport path may work at 250+ airports in beta, but Apple and TSA both advise always bringing a physical acceptable ID [3] [13].
Limitations and disagreements in sources: different outlets list different states and counts because TSA waivers, state rollouts and platform integrations changed through 2024–25; the sources above document those variations rather than a single definitive roster [4] [5] [1] [2]. Available sources do not mention a single, up‑to‑date master list in this packet beyond TSA’s online page [11].