California driver’s licenses are going digital, but don’t leave your physical license at home.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced this autumn that it launched a pilot program for its new mobile Driver’s License (mDL). Participants can use their phone to verify their identity instead of handing over a physical driver’s license. The DMV promises the digital license is “safe, fast, and private” and “helps protect your personal information and makes life simpler.”
The agency is asking people to sign up for its pilot program now. “Getting your mDL now means faster lines, fewer hassles, and greater control over your personal information,” the agency said in the announcement.
But it’s not accepted by everyone yet, so if you sign up for the program, you’ll still need to carry your physical license, at least for a while.
Here’s how California digital licenses work and who’s accepting them as of December 2025.
Who does and doesn’t accept the new digital California driver’s license
Most businesses, law enforcement and state government agencies don’t accept the mDL yet, the DMV said, so keep your physical license with you.
As of Dec. 4, the only law enforcement agency accepting the new digital licenses in place of physical ones is the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Californians can show their digital license at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports, according to the TSA. Showing a digital ID can get you through checkpoints faster, but passengers should also have their physical ID with them. For more information, go to tsa.gov/digital-id.
Who can volunteer for the free mLD pilot program
Anyone with a current California driver’s license in good standing can sign up until the pilot is full. The early launch accepts a total of 4.2 million participants. More than 3.2 million signed up so far, the DMV reported.
The city with the most signups is Sacramento, with 58,667 drivers. Los Angeles County had the most signups of any of California’s 58 counties: 780,767 drivers. See a map of participants at dmv.ca.gov/portal/mdl-adoption-statistics.
How to get a digital California driver’s license in the pilot program
To enroll in the voluntary free mLD pilot program, you’ll need a standard physical California license in good condition and a smartphone to download the CA DMV Wallet app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Here are the DMV’s steps to join the free and voluntary pilot program.
Those with a digital license need to update it every 30 days “to get the best experience” or receive the most up-to-date information. When the app prompts, tap Refresh Driver’s License below your photo, then follow the instructions, the DMV said.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal , Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: How to get a California mobile driver’s license and who accepts it
Reporting by Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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