California's DMV offers digital driver's license for smartphones

San Francisco Chronicle / Sept 6, 2023

Californians can now access their driver’s license or identification card on their smartphones and use it to get through TSA security screenings at some Bay Area airports.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles is offering a limited number of free sign-ups for the state’s first digital driver’s license. In addition to its use at many airports across the U.S., including San Francisco International and Mineta San Jose International, participants can use it to verify their age for alcohol purchases at a handful of convenience stores in the state.

The DMV started testing the digital driver’s license in late May with a limited number of participants, agency spokesperson Anita Gore said in an email. In August, the agency opened the pilot program to the general public — now allowing 1.5 million people to participate. As of Wednesday morning, Gore said, about 135,000 people had signed up.

Gore emphasized that the digital driver’s license, called “mDL,” does not replace a physical driver’s license. She urged people to keep carrying their physical cards, “though acceptance and uses of the mDL will continue to evolve.”

Link (paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/dmv-mobile-digital-drivers-license-18350598.php

Highlights from the link:

• Law enforcement and state government agencies, and many businesses (including bars), are not yet accepting the digital licenses.

• In California, United Airlines terminals at SFO and Los Angeles International Airport, and at San Jose International, accept the digital license.

• Full list of current U.S. participating airports (TSA website): https://www.tsa.gov/digital-id

• According to the DMV, usage is not tracked. Data does not leave a device without the owner’s consent.

How it works:

• Download the CA DMV Wallet app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

• App only works with an iPhone 6 with iOS 13 and newer, or an Android 7 and newer. App is not available for Android 10-based EMU 10 devices.

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