Over 100,000 Virginians embrace carrying driver’s license, ID on their phones

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- More than 100,000 Virginians are carrying their state-issued driver's licenses or ID cards not just in their wallets, but on their phones.

As of Friday, March 6, the Virginia Mobile ID app has reached over 100,000 users, which the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) described as a "major adoption milestone" in a press release.

The app, which was first launched in November 2025, allows participating Virginians to use their phone in place of a physical driver's license or ID card in a variety of circumstances -- from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at hundreds of airports nationwide to select Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority stores.

Dozens of restaurants, breweries and wineries now accept Virginia Mobile ID, including Richmond businesses like Bolo's Eatery & Brainstorm Brewhouse and Harry's at Hofheimer, giving customers "a secure and seamless way to verify their age — all without handing over their phone and sharing unnecessary personal information."

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“Reaching 100,000 users shows that Virginians are embracing a more convenient way to carry their ID,” said DMV commissioner Gerald F. Lackey in the release. “Virginia Mobile ID gives people a simple, secure way to confirm who they are as they travel, visit businesses or access DMV services. It’s one more way DMV is always driving forward to make everyday interactions easier for Virginians.”

Several local law enforcement agencies, as well as the Virginia State Police, also accept Virginia Mobile ID. You can find a full list of participating agencies and locations here.

If you'd like to try out Virginia Mobile ID for yourself, you can download the app via the App Store and Google Play. Once you scan your physical state-issued driver's license or ID card and complete the facial verification, you're ready to go.

"Customers should continue carrying their physical ID card as a backup, especially when driving," the Virginia DMV said.

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Digital wallet options will be rolled out in the coming months, per the release.

For more information on the Virginia Mobile ID program, click here.