On August 15, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that Californians will be given new ways to present California licenses and IDs by using iPhone, Apple Watch, and Android devices. These convenient alternatives are provided by secure and convenient storage in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
“We’re partnering with two iconic California companies—Apple and Google—to provide convenient, private and secure driver’s licenses and ID cards directly on people’s phones,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom. “This is a big step in our efforts to better serve all Californians, meeting people where they’re at and with technology people use every day.”
The mDL Pilot Program
Now part of the California DMV’s mobile Driver’s License pilot (mDL) which was launched last year, the accessibility of Apple and Google’s Wallets will better enable mDLs to be conveniently used for anything ranging from verifying identity to moving through airports. The program is currently limited to 1.5 million participants, and 500,000 Californians are already involved.
It is important to note that having a representation of a California ID in an Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or in the mDL app is different than carrying the physical card. The mDL and this expansion of the program’s accessibility are intended as a convenience largely for participating in business and navigating airports.
“We continue to expand the availability and acceptance of digital licenses and identification cards, while ensuring the highest level of privacy and security,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a promising statement. For those interested in developing the capability of online IDs further, the fact that the DMV is looking into the possibility is a good sign.
Company Responses and Statements
Though Google has only provided instructions for adding an ID to the Google Wallet, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, Jennifer Bailey has given a statement on the addition of California mDLs to the iPhone and Apple Watch: “We’re excited to be working with the state of California to bring IDs in Apple Wallet to Apple’s home state soon, and provide residents with an easy, secure, and private way to present their California driver’s license and state ID in person and in app using Apple Wallet. Whether using IDs in Apple Wallet to breeze through travel, or to securely verify age or identity at businesses, California driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet make ID presentment seamless—all with the security built into iPhone and Apple Watch.”
Future for mDL Technology
It remains to be seen whether this technology will become accessible to all Californians, or whether the technology will be adopted by other states. Depending on the successes and expansions of the California DMV’s efforts, driver’s licenses and other forms of identification may become more connected with mobile devices, which would probably be a convenient outcome.
Perhaps acknowledging this potential, the California DMV has been and continues to work with financial institutions, law enforcement, government agencies, and retailers to encourage acceptance of the mDL. With the current standard being that mDLs are only acceptable in certain cases, and the physical license should still be carried, the actual usefulness of mDLs is significantly limited. As such, the DMV has stated that it will be holding two “hackathons” for any innovators who are interested in working to incorporate digital identity technology into their company. The hope is that the DMV can generate more interest and legitimacy for the emerging tech, and expand the capabilities of the mDL.
How to Participate
To enroll in the mDL pilot, visit the California DMV’s website and download the app. After creating an account, follow the instructions to scan and enroll your ID. Keep in mind that the pilot program remains limited to 1.5 million people.
