5 Things To Know About CA's New Mobile Driver's License

LOS ANGELES, CA — The day is fast approaching when all you need to leave the house is a shirt, pants, shoes and a cell phone. California is launching a mobile driver's license program, allowing Golden State residents to carry their official digital driver's licenses on their smartphone.

Beginning this month, the state's Mobile Driver's License pilot program is available to the general public, the California Department of Motor Vehicles announced. The program is limited, but Californians are expected to join in droves because the mobile driver's license streamlines travel through major California airports.

Here is everything you need to know about California's Mobile Driver's License:

1. Participation is limited. In the early stages of the program, the state plans to cap participation at 1.5 million people.
2. How To Get It? All you need is your driver's license and a smart phone. The DMV's Wallet app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. To use the app, you must have an iPhone 6 with iOS 13 and newer or an Android 7 and newer.
   When you log into the app, you'll be asked to create a MyDMV account. From there, follow the prompts to scan your driver's license and enroll in the program.
3. How Secure Is It? Very. The California DMV Wallet uses biometrics and encryption, and meets the highest federal and international security standards, Anita Gore, deputy director of public affairs office of DMV told NBC.
4. What good is it? According to the CA DMV, the mobile driver's license "offers a quick and secure identity-check at airports, without handing over your phone. Speed through TSA PreCheck at SFO and LAX. Control the information you share when purchasing adult beverages."
   Across the nation, 26 major airports accept the mobile driver's license as acceptable identification. In California, the digital licenses can be used at LAX, SFO and San José Mineta International Airport.
5. Don't throw out your old driver's license just yet. You still need to carry a hard copy of your driver's license when you get behind the wheel of a car. If you get pulled over, local police and California Highway Patrol officers aren't yet accepting digital driver's licenses in lieu of the hard copy. Many businesses may not be accepting them just yet either.