California residents can add their driver’s license to Apple & Google Wallet. Here’s how

California residents can add their driver’s license to Apple & Google Wallet. Here’s how

Google Wallet - Everything

Artie Beaty/ZDNET

If you live in California, your digital wallet just got a little fatter.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced that support for digital IDs will be rolling out in the coming weeks, meaning California residents will be able to add their state IDs or California driver’s licenses to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.

Also: Nvidia will train 100,000 California residents in AI as part of a unique partnership

Select Circle K locations accept the mobile version of your driver’s license, as do select apps and TSA screenings at San Francisco International Airport, San Jose Mineta International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

While you will still need to carry your physical driver’s license as required by law, the digital version should make identity verification much faster.

A digital copy of your driver’s license isn’t exactly new territory for California, as it has its own app called CA DMV Wallet that essentially does the same thing (500,000 of the state’s 39 million residents have signed up for that app). What’s new is that you’ll have your driver’s license in the same app where you store, for example, your airport boarding pass and a payment card for a coffee in the airport or age verification when buying alcohol and then have a card to pay with.

Also: California digitizes vehicle registration documents and puts 42 million vehicles on the blockchain

If you’re concerned about security, the DMV has stated that it doesn’t permanently store any of your personal information other than your phone number and an encrypted photo of your driver’s license or ID card. The DMV also says that the way you use your mobile driver’s license isn’t tracked and that no data leaves your device without your consent.

How to add your California driver’s license to Google Wallet

  • On your Google Wallet home screen, tap the plus sign in the bottom right corner that says “Add to Wallet.”
  • You’ll see a list of cards and passports supported by Wallet. On the next screen, select “ID” and then “Get Started.”
  • Choose from the list of supported states. Currently, that’s only Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Maryland. When access to California is opened, select it, then follow the steps to scan your driver’s license and record a short video to prove you’re a real person.
  • Wallet will verify your information with the CA DMV. This process may take a few minutes.

How to add your California driver’s license to Apple Wallet

  • Open your Wallet app and tap the Add button.
  • Select “Driver’s License or ID Card” and choose your state.
  • Choose whether you want to add your license to your phone only or to your phone and Apple Watch.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to scan the front and back of your driver’s license or ID card.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *