California Expands Digital Driver's License Options for Mobile Devices

This initiative, part of the DMV's ongoing mDL pilot that began last year, aims to offer a secure and convenient way for Californians.Photo byAlex JumperonUnsplash

Californians will soon have more ways to carry their driver’s license or state ID on their mobile devices, Governor Gavin Newsom announced today. In partnership with Apple and Google, the state is expanding its mobile Driver’s License (mDL) pilot program to allow residents to add their licenses and IDs to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet on iPhones, Apple Watches, and Android devices.

This initiative, part of the DMV's ongoing mDL pilot that began last year, aims to offer a secure and convenient way for Californians to verify their identity. The digital IDs can be used at select businesses, TSA checkpoints, and within certain apps, providing greater control over how personal information is shared.

To date, over 500,000 Californians have already adopted the mDL through the DMV Wallet app, with the program capped at 1.5 million participants. While the digital license doesn’t replace the need for a physical card, it offers a modern alternative for identity verification.