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

[Auggie]

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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Not for me. Not now.

[hlthe2b]

1. Colorado has a multiple tiered secured app, called MyColoradoApp that includes this feature

The app, itself was created during COVID to document vaccines received, but likewise includes your driver's license (full official digital form, front and back--not merely a scanned upload), and also allows you to upload your car registration, title, insurance cards, professional licenses, parks and wildlife permits and other official documents. It logs you out immediately after access and includes two-factor authentication and includes encryption. I was hesitant at first but was reassured after speaking to a number of cybersecurity experts who looked into it. It has been incredibly useful, including when I forgot my purse in the wee hours of the morning while taking the pup to the dog park, and encountered a routine Labor Day police stop checking motorists for seatbelts [probably DUI as well] and I needed my license. It really didn't take long at all and police know they have to give you the chance to pull it up if you indicate you have it.