Californians can now download mobile driver's license on Apple Wallet

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The California Department of Motor Vehicles has introduced a new way for people to store their driver's license or state ID.

Californians can now add their license directly through their Apple Wallet on an iPhone or Apple Watch. It's part of a mobile driver's license pilot program limited to 1.5 million participants.

"The phone is the center of modern life. We use it as our primary motive for communication," said Serenity Thompson, deputy director of digital services for the California DMV. "When you're traveling, your boarding pass is on it. And so to have a driver's license on your phone is the next logical step."

Last month, digital versions of driver's licenses and state IDs became available for download on Google Wallet. Now, Apple users can also access this feature.

"You go to Apple Wallet, you tap the plus, you select 'add state ID.' You'll go through a series of selfies, different photo shoots," Thompson said. "And there's a little bit of a processing period, and then it will show up in your Apple Wallet."

The mobile driver's license can be used at TSA checkpoints at major airports, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Jose. More airports are expected to support this feature, making traveling more convenient.

"In some cases, you might forget your driver's license somehow at home," San Diego resident Run Li said. "But if you can use this app to get into security, that's even better."

Beyond travel, some businesses in Sacramento and Los Angeles are using the TruAge feature for age verification. With this technology, businesses like liquor stores can scan your digital ID through the wallet to confirm you're over 21.

"I think as the reader space develops and becomes more sophisticated, we'll then have more use cases as well," Thompson said.

Representatives with the DMV say they will continue to collaborate with businesses and other associations to increase the acceptance of the mobile driver's license.