Driver's licenses could soon go digital

The day you no longer have to carry a driver's license to get behind the wheel may be closer than you think.

The Department of Motor Vehicles already has the " DMV Mobile Wallet " pilot project underway- an app that permits users to tap a mobile device at a vendor site, only releasing relevant information to the transaction.

California DMV Director Steve Gordon says Apple and Google will likely have a similar app in the coming years to buy, download, and then store information found on a driver's license or state ID.

He tells KNX News' Pete Demetriou there are multiple use cases for such an app. "Let's say you're trying to buy an age-appropriate beverage," Gordon explained, "You would go into a store and you tap or scan, and it would just tell the purveyor that you are over the age of majority - say, over 21. Or if you're trying to get a senior discount, it would tell that you're over 65 or over 62 without giving any more information about you than is required."

Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.

We are not yet to the point where police agencies will be able to access your digital wallet for your state ID, but Gordon says that's coming.

He even foresees a 'Bluetooth link,' for example, that would allow a device on a patrol car to remotely download information from your phone in the event of a traffic stop. However, getting that technology safe, approved, and field-tested for widespread use may take a few years.

Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok