COLUMBUS, Ga. - Georgia drivers can now show a digital driver's license on a smartphone when a state trooper pulls them over, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety. The change, reported by Savannah's WTOC on Nov. 2, applies to traffic stops, crash investigations and other roadside contacts. The Georgia Department of Driver Services, or DDS, says about 800,000 people have added a digital license or ID to a phone wallet since the program launched in May 2023.

The news comes as DDS tells residents how to avoid rejected applications and as every DDS customer service center prepares to close Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day. For Columbus-area drivers who already carry a license in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet, the new rule adds one more place the phone can stand in for the plastic card. It does not, however, let anyone leave the physical license at home.

What changed at traffic stops

According to WTOC, the Department of Public Safety said all state troopers, commercial vehicle enforcement officers and Capitol Police can now accept the digital credential. Those agencies have until July 1, 2027, to get the scanning equipment they need. DPS Commissioner Col. William W. Hitchens III said the department is working with DDS to make the transition easy across the state.

The driver, not the officer, starts the process by saying they want to use the phone option, WTOC reported. The driver then holds the phone up at the window and lets the officer scan it, rather than handing the phone over. The Georgia State Patrol told WTOC that troopers have been trained and "will not handle or hold anyone's phone."

What the officer can see

DDS says on its law enforcement information page that the officer sees only the items listed on a consent sheet before the driver confirms with Face ID or Touch ID. The officer receives the same information as from a physical license, according to DDS, and cannot see anything else on the phone. In Apple Wallet, DDS says, users can review a history that shows the date, the data shared and the agency that asked for it.

DDS also says the digital license is a valid driver's license for driving. The agency's page states that only the Georgia State Patrol currently accepts it at stops. The pages reviewed for this story did not say whether Columbus police officers or Muscogee County sheriff's deputies accept it, so drivers stopped by a local agency should be ready to hand over the physical card.

Keep the plastic card

Both DDS and the State Patrol stress that the digital version is optional. DDS tells customers to keep carrying the physical license, and says it must be in a driver's immediate possession while driving because that is the law. A dead battery, a lost phone or a cracked screen does not excuse a driver from showing a license when asked.

WTOC also quoted two residents with different views. One said a physical ID now seems almost obsolete, while a college student said she prefers the card because of risks such as a dead phone, website crashes or hacked accounts. The State Patrol told WTOC it does not yet know whether digital IDs will make stops more efficient, especially in bad weather or heavy traffic.

Where else the digital license works

DDS lists several places beyond the roadside. The agency says the credential is accepted at select airports through TSA security checkpoints, at Metro-Atlanta arenas for age checks, and at Apple Stores. It can also be used at a DDS visit to speed up service.

Tips from DDS to avoid a rejection

On Nov. 5, DDS issued a release urging customers to get the digital application right the first time. The agency said most problems happen when people do not use their most recent Georgia license or ID. DDS advises using the current, unexpired credential, standing in front of a plain white background and choosing a well-lit spot without shadows or glare.

After three failed attempts, an applicant is locked out and can try again after several hours, according to DDS. Commissioner Angelique B. McClendon said a good photo is the foundation of a successful application and that "a successful application starts with a quality photo." The release did not list other reasons an application can fail.

Closed Wednesday for Veterans Day

DDS says all of its customer service centers will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11. Anyone who needs an in-person visit, including a photo for a new or renewed card, will need to go another day. The agency's Oct. 15 photo guidance asks customers to remove hats, glasses and earbuds and to show the face from the crown of the head to the base of the chin and from ear to ear.

Details on enrolling, the supported phones and the law enforcement FAQ are on the DDS website at dds.georgia.gov. The site also lists the digital license terms and conditions. Drivers with questions about a specific stop should check with the agency that stopped them, since acceptance varies by department. DDS also says customers can find videos and frequently asked questions on the same site. Anyone who has not yet set up the digital license can do so for free from a phone.