California Lifts Mobile Driver’s License Cap to 60% as 3.5 Million Apply
Updated
Updated · Identity Week · Aug 11
California Lifts Mobile Driver’s License Cap to 60% as 3.5 Million Apply
1 articles · Updated · Identity Week · Aug 11
Summary
California expanded its mobile driver’s license pilot from 15% to 60% of licensed drivers after Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 169, opening access to millions more residents statewide.
SB 169 is meant to cut administrative barriers and speed wider use of digital IDs as the state pushes to modernize DMV services and make government transactions more accessible.
3.5 million Californians have applied for a mobile license since the program launched in August 2023 through the DMV’s mobile wallet, showing strong issuance demand as availability broadens.
Nationally, mobile driver’s license activation remains around 7%, underscoring a gap between rollout and actual use that digital ID officials are expected to scrutinize as acceptance and user trust evolve.