Digital CA IDs Coming To Apple, Google Wallets: 5 Things To Know

CALIFORNIA — Californians will soon be able to store their driver's license or state ID cards on popular digital wallets, allowing more residents to present their mobile devices as proof of identification at certain businesses and airport security checkpoints.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday outlined the latest expansion of California's voluntary "mDL" pilot program. In the coming weeks, participants will be able to store their license or ID on Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, securely storing a digital copy on their iPhones, Apple Watches and Android devices.

"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," Newsom said Thursday. "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."

1. Californians can enroll in the mDL pilot now

California's "mDL" program launched last year, allowing residents to digitally store their licenses and IDs on the CA DMV Wallet app. The pilot program is capped at 1.5 million participants, and more than 500,000 have already signed up, according to the governor's office.

Enrollment is free and optional. Residents need a smartphone with access to the Apple App Store or Google Play, a valid driver's license, or a state ID card.

2. Google Wallet and Apple Wallet add two more choices

Coming soon, California's mDL will let participants store their cards on the popular Google Wallet and Apple Wallet platforms, letting users streamline storing their digital IDs with credit cards, concert tickets and other things commonly placed in the popular digital wallets. Users will still be able to use the CA DMV Wallet app if they prefer. An exact date of the official rollout of the program past the pilot stage has not been announced.

3. Residents still need to carry their physical, state-issued identification

The mDL pilot is still in its early stages, and participants need to keep their physical driver's license or ID cards on their person, since most businesses, law enforcement and government agencies do not yet accept digital forms of identification.

4. Where can I use my mDL?

While the state works to get more businesses, retailers and other institutions on board with the program, there are a few places where users can already use their mDL to verify their age and identity.

Select checkpoints at three California airports are among the early adopters, where mDLs can be presented as a form of identification under the Transportation Security Administration's growing digital ID program. According to the TSA, San Francisco International Airport (Terminal 3), Mineta San Jose International Airport, and Los Angeles International Airport (Terminal 7) are equipped to accept digital identification.

Five "Circle K" convenience stores in the Sacramento area are the earliest retailers onboarded to accept mDLs for age-restricted purchases. Users have the option to activate "TruAge" integration in the CA DMV Wallet by clicking the "Explore Add-ons" link. The integrated app generates a unique QR code that cashiers can scan off the phone to verify age. According to the state, the app takes only four data points from the license to verify a user's age.

Users can also use their mDL to log in to DMV online services, forgoing the need to enter an email or password.

5. What's next?

The DMV is actively pursuing broader integration for the mDL program, working with financial institutions, retailers and government agencies to make the digital IDs valid in more places. The state is looking to expand the places where "TruAge" verification is possible, starting with smaller grocery stores and neighborhood markets before expanding to larger grocers, liquor stores, mass retailers, bars, restaurants and concert venues.

Two upcoming "hackathons" planned this fall will give business owners and government agencies to learn more about adding mDL as an option.

Residents can learn more about how and where the mDL pilot works on the DMV's website.