SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – California's Department of Motor Vehicles is planning to test a mobile driver's license program, following the lead of Louisiana, Colorado and Arizona, who have all already have rolled out their versions.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom's latest budget includes $10 million for the DMV to develop the program, which will allow residents to replace their laminated IDs sitting in their wallet.
"The mobile drivers license will allow California residents to obtain a digital driver’s license," Chris Orock, public information officer with the DMV, told KCBS Radio. "It's convenience is securely accessed through a smartphone"
The plan isn't without its critics. Perhaps the greatest concern is the possibility of a digital license, filled with private and critical information, potentially leading to fraud or ID theft. "The DMV takes security and privacy of its customers very seriously. We're taking those issues into account when we're piloting and designing those programs for the mobile driver's license," Orrock said.
He added that mobile licenses are more than just an easy way to show ID when buying beer.
"A mobile drivers license will not only support physical ID verification, but in the future it will also add convenience and security for online ID verification," Orrock said.
The DMV hopes to begin testing the program later this year.
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