Virginia Launches Mobile ID, a Digital Driver’s License Option
On November 12, 2025, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced the launch of a new Mobile ID program, making Virginia the first state in the U.S. to offer a fully digital version of a driver’s license or identification card. Available free of charge via the Apple App Store and Google Play, the Virginia Mobile ID allows residents to securely store a digital version of their driver’s license on their smartphone. To set it up, users download the app, scan their physical driver’s license or ID card and then verify their identity with a series of real‑time facial recognition scans. Once verified, the digital ID is linked to the user’s device and can be used just like the physical card in many situations.
According to the DMV, the new digital ID is accepted for identity verification at more than 250 airports nationwide as part of the Transportation Security Administration’s acceptance of digital credentials. All Virginia airports – including Richmond International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Norfolk International Airport, Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport and Roanoke‑Blacksburg Regional Airport – will recognize the Mobile ID. Virginia State Police, staff at DMV customer service centers and workers at nine pilot Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) stores can also verify the credential. People using the Mobile ID still need to keep their physical driver’s license or ID card with them, but the digital version provides a secure and convenient additional option.
State officials say the program underscores Virginia’s commitment to modernization and customer convenience. Transportation Secretary Shep Miller described the app as “a truly innovative and historic step in the transportation community that gives Virginians greater control over their driver’s license information while bolstering security.” DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey emphasized privacy protections: the app uses a “digital trust service” that encrypts all personal information, and users can choose how much information to share during an interaction. For example, to verify age at an ABC store the app can confirm a person is over 21 without sharing their birthdate or address.
The DMV plans to expand the Mobile ID’s acceptance to more retailers and eventually integrate with digital wallets. In the meantime, the app offers a streamlined way to prove identity at airports, to law enforcement, and at pilot ABC locations. For travelers and everyday customers, the Mobile ID reduces the need to hand over a physical card while providing up‑to‑date information and proof of identity directly from a secure DMV system.