Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
67,703
38,174


iPhone users in California can now add their digital driver's licenses and IDs in the Apple Wallet app on iPhone and Apple Watch, with California expanding an ongoing test of the digital license feature.

apple-california-drivers-license.jpg

Several MacRumors readers have reported seeing the California license as an option in the Wallet app, under the label "California mDL Pilot." Prior to now, only a limited number of people were seeing the option.

Wallet app integration is part of California's mobile driver's license effort, which kicked off a year ago. More than 500,000 people have already added a driver's license or ID to the California DMV Wallet app, where California tested the option before starting to roll it out to the Wallet app.

Apple announced California's Wallet license plans back in August, and said that it was working with California to bring IDs to Apple Wallet.
"We're excited to be working with the state of California to bring IDs in Apple Wallet to Apple's home state soon, and provide residents with an easy, secure, and private way to present their California driver's license and state ID in person and in app using Apple Wallet," said Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. "Whether using IDs in Apple Wallet to breeze through travel, or to securely verify age or identity at businesses, California driver's licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet make ID presentment seamless - all with the security built into iPhone and Apple Watch."
IDs and licenses stored in the Wallet app on iPhone or iPad can be used for TSA screenings at select airports (including SFO, LAX, and SJC) and for age verification at select stores. Right now, California's mobile wallet support is still in an early stage, and only 1.5 million participants are able to sign up.


California requires people to continue to carry a physical license or ID card because the digital license is not accepted by law enforcement, state government agencies, and most businesses.

Apple announced a new Wallet app that supported digital IDs back in 2022, but states have been slow to adopt the feature. So far, only Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii, and Ohio have implemented support. Apple said in 2022 that Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Utah are working on support, and today added that Montana, New Mexico, and West Virginia also plan to adopt the functionality.

Article Link: iPhone Driver's License Support Expands to More Californians
 
  • Like
Reactions: julit0 and jz0309
Yes, I can see this now in my wallet app.
I started and it wants to scan my DL and seemingly not use my CA DMV app/wallet?
My DL is upstairs so need to wait to complete this a bit
 
  • Like
Reactions: DblHelix
Cool, thanks for letting me know! Just went through the process to get mine uploaded.

EDIT: Aaaand... it just came back rejected lol. Guess their system isn't quite ready yet?

EDIT #2: Second attempt seemed to work, but then got an email saying they needed more verification to scan on DMV's website like Passport ID, etc. which I don't have with me right now so will have to wait. What a pain in the @$$.

EDIT #3 the next day: Had to request a new link but uploaded my passport ID photo / info and was almost immediately accepted. CA ID is now in Wallet. Thought the image would be a little more exciting but it's just full name with a boring beige/blue gradient. Maybe they'll update that later.
 
Last edited:
Tried to add, when thru scan and a strange sequence of taking photos of my face, eyes closed, turning my head, opening my mouth (yes WTF is that for?) then said processing. Then told can't do it right now.

All this to try to add to my Apple Wallet instead of using mDL app which already has my digital drivers license.

On the later, I tried using it at a local restaurant that gives 10% discount if you show a local driver's license. They wouldn't accept mDL stating "I have no idea what that is".

Update - Got an email from the DMV saying verification failed try again. What, didn't open my mouth wide enough?
 
Meanwhile, New York State lets you use a digital license, but it's housed in a very clunky app they probably spent millions developing. Ah well.
 
Am in CA. Just did it. Lotta hoops to jump through (scan your face in various ways (as @california_kid said), scan your license, scan your passport, etc), and in the end, it got REJECTED!

No idea why. Got this:

Thank you for submitting your mobile driver’s license (mDL) request. Unfortunately, your enrollment request has been rejected.

If you would like to try again, you can repeat the enrollment process and follow the tips provided to you during the process.

- Jon
 
  • Like
Reactions: RevTEG and triom
Soooo many steps

Got an email from da DMV


You must complete this verification step to confirm your eligibility and receive a CA mDL in your Apple Wallet. To continue with this verification process, click o
 
  • Like
Reactions: Huck
I just went through the process.

Afterwards, I got a link to the DMV website where they want me to upload pics of my Passport. I don't have it with me, so I'll continue the process later today.
 
I just went through the process.

Afterwards, I got a link to the DMV website where they want me to upload pics of my Passport. I don't have it with me, so I'll continue the process later today.
yup.. I am in the CA DMV beta app as well......
Odd they still need more info from me lol
 
Completed the process. Went through verification. Received a link to verify more docs. Submitted Passport. Now I am waiting for final verification.
 
I see it. Got verified immediately on my phone, but it didn't work on my Watch for some reason.
 
Went through the process and got rejected Through an email from the DMV. could not verify identification
“Unfortunately, your enrollment request has been rejected.”
🤷‍♂️ it’s new so I’ll wait a bit
 
Went through the process and got rejected Through an email from the DMV. could not verify identification
“Unfortunately, your enrollment request has been rejected.”
🤷‍♂️ it’s new so I’ll wait a bit
I’m also wondering if this is something that I’ll have to do again when I get my 16 pro max or if the process is a one time thing that travels over with my Apple account. 🤔
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.