Note: If you participated in our Test Drive, you may need to delete the existing app, reinstall it and re-enroll to get the up-to-date version.
See answers to general mobile ID questions, as well as common troubleshooting topics below.
What is Virginia Mobile ID?
Virginia Mobile ID is a free digital option for your state-issued driver’s license or ID card that you can set up on your smartphone. It is available in Apple Wallet, the App Store, and Google Play.
Virginia Mobile ID is built on industry standards and limits the information you share to just the data needed for the transaction.
It provides a convenient and secure way for Virginians to present their driver’s license or ID card to participating businesses or organizations.
Does my Virginia Mobile ID replace my physical driver’s license?
Your Virginia Mobile ID serves as a companion to your physical driver s license or ID rather than a replacement. At this time, it is necessary to have your physical ID on hand as a backup for situations where Virginia Mobile ID is not yet accepted.
Who can get a Virginia Mobile ID?
The Virginia Mobile ID is available to all Virginians who hold a valid Virginia driver s license or ID.
Mobile ID is not available for customers with a learner's permit, driver privilege card or child ID.
How do I get a Virginia Mobile ID?
- You must have a valid Virginia driver’s license or ID card and an iPhone 8 with iOS 16 or newer or an Android OS 8.0 or newer.
- Click a button below to learn how to add your ID in Apple Wallet OR download the Virginia Mobile ID App.
Where can I use Virginia Mobile ID?
Virginia Mobile ID is accepted at the following participating locations.
Do I need to hand my phone over when showing my Virginia Mobile ID?
No, your phone never leaves your hand when presenting your Virginia Mobile ID. The information you choose to share is given through a contactless scan.
Does the Virginia Mobile ID follow the international standard, ISO 18013-5?
Yes! The Virginia Mobile ID follows the standardized ISO 18013-5 protocol. ISO 18013-5 is the international standard for mobile driver’s licenses (mDL), defining a secure, interoperable framework for storing, presenting, and verifying digital IDs on mobile devices. It supports in-person (offline) verification via NFC or QR codes and ensures data privacy through selective disclosure, where users share only necessary data.
What are Virginia Mobile ID’s security features?
Virginia DMV provides the highest level of security in license and ID card storage, data transmission and verification. Only you can share your information. Virginia Mobile ID presents only the information needed for the interaction, and you can review and authorize the information being requested before it is shared.
Additionally, Virginia Mobile ID is presented digitally through encrypted communication directly between your phone and the verifying business' or organizations' devices, so you do not need to hand over your phone. Virginia DMV does not store your data or track your activity.
Will the Virginia Mobile ID track my location
No. There are no location or tracking services associated with Virginia Mobile ID outside of the verification process.
However, the history and location of ID checks are logged on the ID holder’s device for the customer’s usage on the Virginia Mobile ID App and the ID in Apple Wallet; location history data does not leave the local device.
Who has access to my information?
Your information is not accessible without your consent. You control what information you’d like to share.
When you enroll, your information is stored on your personal device. Participating businesses or organizations can only view your information after scanning your Virginia Mobile ID. Additionally, Virginia Mobile ID cannot access other data from your mobile device.
Our privacy policy is as follows:
DMV agrees without reservation or qualification that it and its officers, employees, agents, and/or authorized users shall comply with, and be subject to the penalties for violations of, all laws and regulations, whether federal or state, pertaining to the access, use, and/or dissemination of information, including but not limited to, the Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act of 1994, 18 U.S.C. § 2721 et seq.; the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.; the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act, Virginia Code § 2.2-3800 et. seq.; Virginia Code § 46.2–208; and Virginia Code § 58.1-3.
Is there a charge to use Virginia Mobile ID?
No, there is no cost associated with adding Virginia Mobile ID to your device or using your Virginia Mobile ID.
Can I put my Virginia Mobile ID on multiple devices?
Yes, your Virginia Mobile ID can be on up to four devices at a time. You must complete enrollment on the first device before starting enrollment on the next device(s).
Can I use my Virginia Mobile ID in other states?
Yes, but not all states will accept your Virginia Mobile ID. Virginia is a state in the Digital Trust Service outlined by AAMVA. Some other states in the Digital Trust Service that may accept your
Virginia Mobile ID include Maryland, New York, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Georgia, and other states may be listed on www.aamva.org.
Does my information in my Virginia Mobile ID stay updated?
Information such as your age, address, or a change in driver’s license or ID card status is automatically updated every 30 days when there is a change on your DMV record.
What is the difference between Virginia Mobile ID and REAL ID?
Virginia Mobile ID is a digital version of your Virginia-issued credential, which can be either a REAL ID or a standard ID. A mobile ID will display your REAL ID status.
REAL ID is a federally-compliant identification that is required to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities.
Do I need to have a REAL ID to have a Virginia Mobile ID?
No. You don’t need a REAL ID — just a valid Virginia driver’s license or ID card. If you have a REAL ID, the star will appear on your Virginia Mobile ID.
Can I enroll in Virginia Mobile ID if I recently renewed or replaced my driver’s license or ID card?
Yes, however, you will need to wait until you receive your new card in the mail before you can successfully enroll in Virginia Mobile ID.
Can Virginia Mobile ID be added to a digital wallet?
Virginians can add their driver's license or state-issued ID to Apple Wallet. Other digital wallets are coming soon.
How does my business or organization accept a Virginia Mobile ID?
Businesses interested in accepted should visit the “For Businesses” webpage on how to begin accepting. Please reach out to VAmobileID@dmv.virginia.gov if you have any inquiries.
Law Enforcement FAQs
Can I use my Virginia Mobile ID to drive?
Yes, your Virginia Mobile ID is a valid driver's license. However, at this time, it is necessary to have your physical driver’s license on hand as a backup until Virginia Mobile ID acceptance is more widespread across law enforcement agencies.
If I am stopped by law enforcement and want to present my Virginia Mobile ID, what should I do?
Let the officer know your driver's license is a Virginia Mobile ID and wait for their instructions. Not all law enforcement agencies have the same acceptance capabilities, so notifying the officer first reduces confusion and ensures they're prepared to accept it.
Can law enforcement see any information on my phone if I present my Virginia Mobile ID during a traffic stop?
The officer receives your information that you consent to sharing before you authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. They cannot see any other content on your phone, and you don't need to unlock or hand over your device in order to verify your ID.
Can I choose what information is shared with law enforcement?
During interactions with law enforcement, you will be required to share the full set of information that appears on your physical ID card.
How can I tell if a law enforcement officer has read my Virginia Mobile ID?
Check your transaction history. Tap any transaction to see the date, data shared, and information about the agency that requested it.
What information does law enforcement receive when I present my Virginia Mobile ID?
They receive the same information they would from your physical driver’s license. The verification process mirrors a traditional traffic stop. No additional data or checks are introduced when you use your Virginia Mobile ID.
What happens if my device is out of battery, lost, or damaged? Can I still present my Virginia Mobile ID?
You must be able to show your driver’s license when asked by law enforcement. If you can’t access your ID in Apple Wallet, you will need to present your physical driver’s license instead.
What if I’m from out of state - can I present my state’s Mobile ID from another state?
If the law enforcement agency has the ability to accept digital IDs, they will be able to accept your out of state mobile driver’s license. Keep in mind that acceptance varies by agency, so carrying your physical card is still required.