AMES, Iowa – June 25, 2025 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is pleased to announce the Agency’s latest mobile ID milestone: you can now add your Iowa driver’s license or state ID to Google Wallet. You’ll be able to seamlessly and securely present it at 200+ TSA security checkpoints and at participating businesses.
“We're thrilled to offer Iowans another option for using mobile ID,” says Kathleen Meradith-Eyers, Motor Vehicle Division Director for the Iowa DOT. “Adding your Iowa driver’s license to Google Wallet is a smart, secure way to carry your ID—and a big win for convenience. Mobile ID puts you in control of your information while making everyday moments, like airport travel and age verification, fast, easy, and private."
Any Iowa resident with a valid driver’s license or state-issued photo ID is eligible to add their driver’s license or ID to Google Wallet, on an Android 9 or later smartphone. The DOT reminds Iowans that mobile ID is voluntary, comes at no additional cost, and customers must continue to always carry their physical driver’s license or ID with them.
Your Iowa driver’s license or ID in Google Wallet is encrypted and only accessible with your personal authentication. You are always in control of your information, as it is only shared when you have reviewed the request and have consented to share it. If your phone is stolen or lost, your mobile ID can be deleted with a remote data erase.
Director Kathleen Meradith-Eyers adds, "At the DOT, we're not just keeping up with technology—we’re using it to lead the way in delivering smarter, more seamless service. Our Mobile ID options reflect our ongoing commitment to give Iowans security and convenience."
How to Add an Iowa Driver’s License or ID to Google Wallet
To get an Iowa license or ID on your Android device, start with the Google Wallet app and your physical license or ID.
- Open the Google Wallet app (you can download it from Google Play)
- Tap ‘Add to Wallet’ > ‘ID’ > ‘Driver’s license or state ID’ > ‘Iowa’
- Follow the on-screen instructions to verify your ID with the Iowa DOT
How to Present an ID
You simply hold your device near the identity reader. Your device will then display what information is being requested by the business. You will review the requested information, and the details will be released only after you have authorized it. Once confirmed, the information passes over to the business to complete the transaction. As the information is shared digitally, you do not hand over your personal device to present a mobile ID.
Where to Present an ID
Use your Iowa driver’s license or ID in Google Wallet at 200+ TSA checkpoints, including the Des Moines and Eastern Iowa airports. Your REAL ID compliance status is included with your mobile ID information.
It can also be used at businesses throughout the state who have mobile ID verification systems that can read NFC and/or QR code technology. Not all agencies and businesses are able to verify mobile ID yet, so you should keep your physical ID as a back-up. Businesses interested in accepting mobile ID can visit: https://iowadot.gov/mvd/MID-businesses
For More Information
Mobile ID products from the Iowa DOT are recognized by the State of Iowa as an official form of identity verification and can be used in situations where a physical ID would typically be presented to confirm age or identity. Verifying with mobile ID is voluntary and businesses may or may not be ready to accept it just yet, so you should always carry your physical ID with you.
We're excited to bring this convenient and secure option to Iowa residents. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance the Iowa Mobile ID experience.
For additional information and FAQs, visit the Iowa Mobile ID in Google Wallet landing page or Google Help Center.
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For questions about Iowa Mobile ID, please contact Toni Smith, Iowa DOT Bureau of Enforcement, Auditing, & Training, at 515-237-3109 or toni.smith@iowadot.us.