As mobile driver’s license (mDL) programs expand across the United States, the question for law enforcement agencies and businesses is no longer if but when their state will require digital ID acceptance.
This tracker provides a regularly updated overview of where each state stands. Last updated: May 28, 2026.
What is an mDL? A mobile driver’s license is a cryptographically signed digital credential on your smartphone, verified via the ISO 18013-5 standard. Read our complete mDL guide.
States with mDL Mandates
These states have passed laws requiring agencies or entities to accept mobile driver’s licenses:
| State | Law | Mandate | Deadline | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | HB 296 | All LE agencies must accept mDLs | July 1, 2027 | Full breakdown |
States with Active mDL Programs (No Mandate)
These states have launched mDL programs available to residents but do not yet require agencies to accept them:
| State | Program Status | Wallet Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Active | Apple Wallet, state app | Early adopter, TSA accepted |
| California | Active | DMV Wallet app, Apple Wallet, Google Wallet | Largest state mDL program by population |
| Colorado | Active | Apple Wallet, Google Wallet | Strong adoption, potential future mandate |
| Iowa | Active | Apple Wallet, state app | Pioneer mDL state — first U.S. pilot (2016) |
| Maryland | Active | Apple Wallet | TSA accepted at select airports |
| Utah | Active | State mobile ID app | Mature program |
| Louisiana | Active | LA Wallet app | Widely accepted by businesses |
| Ohio | Active | State app | Launched 2025 |
| Arkansas | Active | Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, state app | Launched March 2025 |
| Hawaii | Active | Apple Wallet | Available since 2024 |
| Montana | Active | State app | mDL live |
| New Mexico | Active | State app | mDL live |
| North Dakota | Active | State app | mDL live |
| Delaware | Active | State app | mDL live |
| Illinois | Active | State app | mDL live |
| Kentucky | Active | State app | mDL live |
| Alaska | Active | State app | mDL live |
| Puerto Rico | Active | State app | mDL live |
| West Virginia | Active | State app | mDL live |
| New York | Active | MiD app, Apple Wallet | 200K+ enrollments, TSA accepted |
| Virginia | Active | Apple Wallet, state app | Expanding use cases for retail and government |
States with mDL Pilots or Legislation in Progress
| State | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | Legislation enacted | HB 199 requires DMV to develop mDL plan; infrastructure modernization underway |
| Florida | Paused | Initial program launched then paused for retooling |
| Texas | Legislation proposed | HB 3426 would require DPS to issue digital licenses |
How to Read This Tracker
- Mandate = law requires acceptance (only Georgia currently)
- Active = mDLs available to residents, acceptance voluntary
- Pilot = limited testing, not yet generally available
- Legislation = bills introduced or under discussion
This tracker is updated quarterly. For the most current information on a specific state, check that state’s DMV or department of transportation website.
The Federal Landscape
While mDL mandates are currently state-level, federal momentum is building:
- TSA accepts mDLs at 25+ airports across participating states and is expanding the program
- AAMVA operates the mDL Connection service, providing the cross-state certificate trust infrastructure that allows readers in one state to verify credentials from another
- DHS has indicated that future REAL ID guidance may recognize compliant mDLs for federal purposes (boarding flights, entering federal buildings)
- ISO 18013-7 (in development) will extend the mDL standard to online and remote verification, further broadening federal use cases
Agencies that invest in ISO 18013-5 compliant readers now will be positioned for these federal developments without additional procurement.
What Should Agencies Do Now?
Even if your state doesn’t have a mandate yet, proactive preparation makes sense:
- Georgia agencies — you have a hard deadline of July 1, 2027. Read our compliance guide.
- Agencies in active mDL states — residents are already carrying mDLs. Having readers improves service, officer efficiency, and officer safety by reducing time at the vehicle window during traffic stops.
- Agencies in all other states — the trend is clear. Evaluating reader solutions now means you’re ready when your state moves forward.
When selecting a reader solution, prioritize:
- ISO 18013-5 full compliance (not just data parsing — full cryptographic verification)
- Offline operation for field use without connectivity
- Multi-state, multi-wallet support via AAMVA mDL Connection integration
- CJIS-aligned security — no PII retention, encrypted transmission, officer authentication, audit logging
- Deployment flexibility — software-based readers that run on existing patrol devices (phones/tablets) reduce hardware costs
Learn how mDL verification works at a technical level: How Does mDL Verification Work?
Frequently Asked Questions
What states have digital driver’s license laws?
As of May 2026, over 20 states have active mDL programs, but Georgia is the only state with a hard mandate requiring all law enforcement agencies to accept mDLs (by July 2027 under HB 296). Other states — including Colorado, Iowa, New York, Virginia, and Utah — have active programs but without mandatory acceptance requirements for agencies. This tracker is updated quarterly.
Do police have to accept digital IDs?
It depends on the state. In Georgia, HB 296 mandates that all law enforcement agencies accept mDLs by July 2027. In most other states, mDL acceptance is voluntary — officers may accept them but are not legally required to. Check the tracker table above for your state’s current status.
Which states are most likely to mandate mDL readers next?
States with mature mDL programs and high adoption rates are the most likely to follow Georgia’s lead. Colorado, Iowa, and Utah all have well-established programs. North Carolina and Virginia are also advancing digital ID legislation. Watch this tracker for updates.