REAL ID Mobile Driver’s Licenses (mDLs)

Mobile driver’s licenses, or mDLs, are digitized versions of the information on physical, State-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards, and are stored on mobile electronic devices such as smartphones.

REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025. Under the REAL ID requirements, Federal agencies, including TSA, may accept mDLs for federal “official purposes” only if (1) the State issuing the mDL has received a waiver under 6 CFR 37.7, or (2) the Federal agency has adopted an alternative acceptance policy.

mDLs Approved for Federal Use 

As of May 7, 2025, the State(s) listed below have received waivers for their mDLs, allowing their residents to use their mDLs at participating airports and Federal agencies:

• California

Agency-Specific mDL Acceptance Policies

Acceptance policies for mDLs vary by agency.  Before attempting to use an mDL, individuals should contact the agency they intend to visit to ask whether the agency accepts mDLs. 

Visit www.tsa.gov/digital-id for a full list of States whose mDLs are accepted at TSA airport security checkpoints. To reduce risk of potential disruptions, TSA strongly encourages all mDL holders to carry a physical acceptable form of ID when traveling.

Instructions

Each State requesting a temporary waiver must file with TSA a complete application as set forth in § 37.10 of 6 CFR Part 37. See amendments to the REAL ID regulations to understand the full requirements for applying for a waiver. Applicants must submit their waiver application materials, including supporting documents, to TSA via email to REALID-mDLwaiver@tsa.dhs.gov.

If TSA determines that information provided in the application or in other State communications with TSA contains Sensitive Security Information, TSA will advise the State of such determination and instructions on handling and protecting such information in accordance with 49 CFR Part 1520.

Instructions

Each State requesting a temporary waiver must file with TSA a complete application as set forth in § 37.10 of 6 CFR Part 37. See amendments to the REAL ID regulations to understand the full requirements for applying for a waiver. Applicants must submit their waiver application materials, including supporting documents, to TSA via email to REALID-mDLwaiver@tsa.dhs.gov.

If TSA determines that information provided in the application or in other State communications with TSA contains Sensitive Security Information, TSA will advise the State of such determination and instructions on handling and protecting such information in accordance with 49 CFR Part 1520.

Guidance

To assist States that apply for a waiver for mDLs under § 37.7 of 6 CFR Part 37, TSA has developed Mobile Driver’s License Waiver Application Guidance to provide non-binding recommendations to illustrate how States can meet the requirements in 6 CFR §§ 37.10(a) of 6 CFR Part 37. TSA may update this Guidance as necessary to provide additional information or address evolving threats to security, privacy, or data integrity.

Decisions

TSA will provide written notice via email to States within 60-90 calendar days of receiving an application, indicating one of the following decisions:

1. Approved. If TSA approves an application for an mDL waiver, TSA will issue a certificate of waiver to the State and publish the State’s name in the list of “mDLs Approved for Federal Use” above.
2. Insufficient. If TSA determines that an application for an mDL waiver is incomplete or otherwise deficient, TSA will provide the State an explanation of deficiencies, and an opportunity to address any deficiencies and submit an amended application. States must respond via email to the notice within 60 calendar days, and TSA will reply via email within 30 calendar days.
3. Denied. If TSA denies an application for a mDL waiver, TSA will provide the State specific grounds on which the denial is based and afford the State an opportunity to seek reconsideration. If a State seeks reconsideration, the State must email TSA at REALID-mDLwaiver@ tsa.dhs.gov within 90 calendar days of receiving a notice of denial, explaining what corrective action the State intends to implement to correct any defects cited in the denial or, alternatively, explain why the denial is incorrect.

States

Modifications to mDL Issuance Processes. If a State, after it has been granted a certificate of waiver, makes any significant additions, deletions, or modifications to its mDL issuance processes, other than routine systems maintenance and software updates, that differ materially from the information the State provided in its waiver application, the State must provide written notice of such changes to TSA at REALID-mDL@tsa.dhs.gov 60 calendar days before implementing such modifications.

If a State is uncertain whether its particular changes require reporting, the State may contact TSA at REALID-mDL@tsa.dhs.gov.

Cybersecurity Threats. Within 72 hours of the discovery of any reportable cybersecurity incident, as defined in the TSA Cybersecurity Lexicon, that may compromise the integrity of the Certificate Systems, States must report the incident to TSA by emailing REALID-mDLwaiver@tsa.dhs.gov.

Federal Agencies

Security Threats. Upon discovery that acceptance of a State's mDL is likely to cause imminent or serious threats to the security, privacy, or data integrity, the Federal agency’s senior official responsible for REAL ID compliance, or equivalent function, must report such discovery to TSA by emailing REALID-mDLwaiver@tsa.dhs.gov within 72 hours of such discovery.