Mobile ID Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Virginia Mobile ID (mID) is a voluntary, secure and digital version of your Virginia-issued driver's license or identification card available in the App Store and Google Play. Virginia mID is built on industry standards and limits the information you share to just the data needed for the transaction. The mID app provides an easy, private and secure way for Virginians to present their state-issued driver’s license or ID card to participating businesses or organizations. 

The mID is available to Virginians who hold a valid Virginia driver’s license or ID card.

• A valid Virginia driver’s license or ID card. 
• An iPhone 8 with iOS 16 or an Android OS 8.0 or newer. 

1. Download and launch the Virginia mID app from the Apple Store or Google Play. 
2. Review and accept the Terms and Conditions. 
3. Unlock/Authenticate your phone. 
4. Scan the back of your ID. 
5. Take a selfie. 

1. Unlock the app  
2. Choose the information you want to share – the Travel option only applies at this time. 
3. Hold the QR code to the verifying device or reader. You may need to increase the brightness on your phone for the QR code to be detected. 
4. A checkmark will appear once your mID has successfully been scanned. 

Virginia DMV provides the highest level of security in credential storage, data transmission and verification. Only you can share your information from your app. The mID presents only the information needed for the interaction, and you can review and authorize the information being requested before it is shared.  

Additionally, mIDs are presented digitally through encrypted communication directly between your device and the verifying business or organization, so you do not need to hand over your device. Just like your physical card, DMV safeguards your personal data. 

Your information is not accessible without your consent. You control what information from your mID you’d like to share. When you enroll, your information is stored on your personal device. Only those with access to your personal device and the ability to unlock and access the app would have access to view it. 

You remain in control of what information verifying businesses or organizations see. They can only view your information after they scan your mID. Virginia DMV does not track when or where you use mID. 

Additionally, your mID will not access other data from your mobile device. 

No. There are no location or tracking services associated with the mID.   

Virginia DMV cannot see when or where you present your mID. Information about usage, including where, when and what personal information you share, is encrypted and stored only on your device, if you so choose. You have the option to delete or opt out of storing this information in the app’s history. 

There is no cost associated with adding your mID to your device or using your mID. 

Your mID 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 mID is not yet accepted.  

Your mID can only be on one device at this time.

Currently, the mID can be used at select airport Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints including Richmond International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. In time, you will be able to use Virginia mID at participating businesses or organizations the same way you use your physical driver’s license or ID card. Because the technology is new, many businesses and organizations have not yet developed a process to accept the mID.

At this time, the Virginia mID is only accepted at select airport Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints around the country, as determined by TSA.

Currently, your physical driver’s license or ID is still required to show a law enforcement officer.  

Information such as your age or a change in driver’s license or ID card status is automatically updated based on DMV’s records; however, your address is not. To change your address, log in to your myDMV account.

In the mID, tap the navigation menu in the upper right (iOS) or left (Android) corner and then My Information. You will see all of the information that’s on your physical card. 

No, you do not have to have a REAL ID to add your mID to your device. However, on May 7, 2025, a REAL ID is required for domestic air travel. All air travel passengers must continue to carry their physical driver’s license, identification card or other acceptable ID listed on the TSA website.

The mID app is downloaded to your smartphone. Virginia is working with Apple and Google to enable customers the ability to add their driver’s license or ID card to platform wallets in the near future. 

See our Terms and Conditions. 

If you wish to remove the mID from your device, you may delete it directly from the app in the Help section. 

Thanks for your interest! While not live yet, at a future date businesses and organizations will be able to download the Virginia mID Verification app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store or implement ISO 18013-5 verification in your own software to begin accepting mIDs. 

You must have an iPhone on iOS 16 or Android OS 8.0 or higher.

• The lighting around your selfie matters - use a neutral background. 
• Hats and glare on glasses can interfere with accepting your photo. 
• Scan the barcode on the back of your license or ID on a plain surface or neutral background. 
• Be sure you are using your current driver’s license or ID when scanning the barcode. 

The verification process requires you to scan the barcode on the back of your driver’s license or ID card. If you don't have a physical card, you can request a duplicate of your valid driver’s license or ID card online through your myDMV account. 

When you get a new device, you will need to download the app and go through the enrollment steps again. Your old mID will become invalid once the new mID is loaded to your new device. The data on your old device will remain encrypted and inaccessible without authorized access. 

You must first reinstate your driving privileges before you can get a mID. See our guide to Reinstating your Virginia Driver Privilege. 

If you are having trouble accessing your mID on your device, email mobileid@dmv.virginia.gov.