Oklahoma adds driver’s licenses to Apple Wallet

Oklahoma drivers can now store their state-issued license or ID in Apple Wallet, the company announced today. The rollout begins with the iPhone 8 and later models, plus all Apple Watch models paired to a supported iPhone. Users open the Wallet app, scan the front and back of their physical card, then complete a one-time identity verification step through the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.

This is the third U.S. state to join Apple’s digital ID program, following Arizona and Colorado. Oklahoma was chosen because it already issues mobile driver’s licenses through its own OKLAHOLO app, built with the same ISO 18013-5 standard Apple uses. The state’s Department of Public Safety started testing Wallet integration in early 2024 after Apple expanded its beta program to include more jurisdictions. Digital licenses cut wait times at airports, bars and traffic stops by letting users tap their phone instead of fumbling for a wallet.

According to Apple, the feature is secured with Face ID or Touch ID, the same biometrics used to unlock the device. The digital copy behaves like the physical card: it shows the same data, expiration date and security features. Oklahoma’s DPS says it has issued more than 100,000 mobile licenses since launch, but only a fraction have been added to Apple Wallet so far. Local police departments have already trained officers on how to verify the digital version during routine checks.

The next step is broader adoption: Apple plans to add more states later this year, with Texas and Georgia reportedly in final testing. Industry analysts say digital IDs could eventually replace physical cards entirely, saving states millions in printing and reissuance costs. For drivers, it means one less thing to lose—and one less plastic card taking up space in a back pocket.