North Dakota residents will soon be able to add their driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet, becoming the latest U.S. jurisdiction to support mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs). The state’s Department of Transportation confirmed the feature is “coming soon,” with availability expected in early October and a $5 fee for issuing the digital credential.
How It Works
Once available, residents will be able to add their license by opening the Wallet app, tapping the “+” symbol, and selecting “Driver’s License or State ID.” The process requires scanning the physical card, capturing a selfie for facial comparison, and submitting the request for state approval. The credential will then be accessible directly from an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Apple Wallet IDs are currently accepted at more than 250 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints across the U.S., providing a convenient option for domestic air travel. The TSA notes, however, that passengers must still carry a physical, compliant ID as a backup.
State Rollout and Fee
The Department of Transportation has set a $5 charge for the digital credential, making North Dakota one of the first states to apply a nominal fee to Wallet issuance. The rollout adds to Apple’s growing list of supported regions, which includes Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, Ohio, Hawaii, California, Iowa, New Mexico, Montana, and Puerto Rico.
Reports indicate that Wallet support will become available within about a month of the state’s September announcement, making North Dakota one of the most recent states to join Apple’s expanding mDL ecosystem.
U.S. Momentum for Mobile IDs
North Dakota follows Montana’s August launch, which added support for both Apple and Google Wallets. Other states have introduced similar programs, including Louisiana’s LA Wallet, which is now accepted nationwide for federal access, and Illinois, which has announced plans for Wallet IDs later in 2025. Apple Wallet coverage has also expanded to Puerto Rico and multiple U.S. states, underlining the growing footprint of mobile credentialing in the U.S.
Industry observers note that while TSA acceptance continues to expand, merchant adoption of mobile IDs remains limited, with ISO 18013-5 and -7 standards shaping future interoperability across platforms such as Apple, Google, and Samsung.
Industry and Policy Context
North Dakota’s adoption reflects both consumer demand for digital convenience and state-level interest in aligning with national standards for secure identity verification. The move also highlights how mobile credentials are becoming a mainstream component of identity infrastructure, even as physical cards remain mandatory for most in-person and cross-border use cases.
The $5 fee for Wallet issuance suggests states may continue to experiment with cost recovery models, particularly as the technology scales across more jurisdictions. For Apple, the addition of North Dakota underscores its strategy of securing incremental agreements with state authorities to build a nationwide network of Wallet-supported IDs.
Source: Tom’s Guide, 9to5Mac, TSA, Apple Support, MacRumors
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
