Quick Read · mDL

How Are Mobile Driver's Licenses Issued?

Mobile driver's licenses (mDLs) are issued when a state DMV creates a secure digital credential from an existing driver's license record and delivers it to the user's mobile wallet.

mDLQuick ReadIssuance
01

Identity Verification

The DMV verifies the person's identity through its standard process, either in person at a DMV office or through an approved digital enrollment flow.

02

Digital Credential Creation

The DMV generates a digitally signed credential containing license data such as name, date of birth, photo, and license number.

Standard

ISO/IEC 18013-5

The credential is created using the ISO/IEC 18013-5 mDL standard, ensuring interoperability across verifiers and jurisdictions.

Protection

Cryptographic signatures

The issuing authority signs the credential cryptographically, making it tamper-proof and verifiable without contacting the DMV.

03

Wallet Provisioning

The credential is securely delivered to the user's mobile wallet and bound to the device using secure hardware keys.

Supported wallets

Apple, Google, Samsung, and state apps

Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, or a government-issued mobile ID app can receive and store the credential.

Device binding

Secure hardware keys

The credential is bound to the device using secure hardware, preventing it from being copied or used on another device.

04

Lifecycle Management

Like physical licenses, mDLs can be updated, renewed, suspended, or revoked by the issuing authority.

Updated

Credential data can be refreshed when license information changes.

Renewed

A new credential is issued when the license comes up for renewal.

Suspended

The issuing authority can suspend a credential for violations or holds.

Revoked

A credential can be permanently revoked by the issuing authority.

Summary

Verified, signed, and provisioned

The mDL issuance process mirrors physical ID issuance — but with cryptographic guarantees at every step.

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In short
An mDL is issued when a DMV verifies identity, creates a cryptographically signed digital credential, and securely provisions it to the user's mobile wallet.