Digital IDs in Apple Wallet now confirmed for California residents

Nice for CA! Eventually no need to carry wallet anymore. Cmon NY!

I just signed up. As of now, your mDL (mobile drivers license) resides in the CA DMV Wallet app. It won't go into the Apple Wallet, which is probably why I can't get it onto my AppleWatch. It's still a pilot program and is not approved for if you get pulled over while driving in CA, isn't recognized yet in other states, and may not be recognized by businesses (all per the DMV FAQ). I'm thinking of it as a backup document for TSA for now. 

ssfe11 said:

Nice for CA! Eventually no need to carry wallet anymore. Cmon NY!

It will be a nice backup system. However, there is no chance whatsoever that I would ditch the physical version of a state DL or an insurance document when operating a motor vehicle. All you need is some...unsophisticated...individual that simply refuses to accept your "fake ID" and you're off to administrative hell. 

And before you scoff, I had a similar instance happen with the digital vaccination card approved in my state. Had all the info that was then required, and I showed it to an individual that required it for access to a specific location, and they simply said, "oh, we need to see your card." Had I not had it, I would have been refused...and that would have been problematic at the time.

Same with car and house keys. These physical items will not be replaced by digital versions by me. Ever.

YMMV. 

thescubadave said:

I just signed up. As of now, your mDL (mobile drivers license) resides in the CA DMV Wallet app. It won't go into the Apple Wallet, which is probably why I can't get it onto my AppleWatch. It's still a pilot program and is not approved for if you get pulled over while driving in CA, isn't recognized yet in other states, and may not be recognized by businesses (all per the DMV FAQ). I'm thinking of it as a backup document for TSA for now. 

Not only is it no good for cops if pulled over, I have yet to have anyone accept it as a valid ID. Basically worthless in its present state. 

eightzero said:

ssfe11 said:

Nice for CA! Eventually no need to carry wallet anymore. Cmon NY!

It will be a nice backup system. However, there is no chance whatsoever that I would ditch the physical version of a state DL or an insurance document when operating a motor vehicle. All you need is some...unsophisticated...individual that simply refuses to accept your "fake ID" and you're off to administrative hell. 

And before you scoff, I had a similar instance happen with the digital vaccination card approved in my state. Had all the info that was then required, and I showed it to an individual that required it for access to a specific location, and they simply said, "oh, we need to see your card." Had I not had it, I would have been refused...and that would have been problematic at the time.

Same with car and house keys. These physical items will not be replaced by digital versions by me. Ever.

YMMV. 

This is correct.

In addition, as long as credit card companies assess merchant transaction fees, some stores will be cash only. Others will offer discounts on cash purchases (many gas station chains have lower cash prices). There are many mom-and-pop stores, a few coffee shops, bars, that are cash only. Also, if you ever go to a farmers market or flea market without cash, you will be shut out by a lot of vendors who are cash only.

And even if the drivers license comes to the iPhone, it's still at the discretion of other parties to accept it as a legal document. You really need some sort of terminal to verify that the digital ID is legitimate. Anyone can fake a screenshot of a digital ID so just waving your phone in front of someone's face isn't going to do. Nightclubs, bars, concert halls will not uniformly and immediately install equipment to validate these digital IDs, so if you want to buy booze at some sports bar, you will need your physical card anyhow.

Let's say you go bar hopping with friends and unlike them, you only bring your digital ID leaving the physical cards (and plastic credit cards at home). What is only 1 in the four bars accepts digital IDs? What are going to do? Stand outside sipping water from a disposable cup while your pals quench their thirst? Nah, you have to bring your physical ID card until you are guaranteed that you won't ever need it. Hell, NFC contactless payment systems have been around for 20+ years and there are still places that are cash only. And even places that take credit cards don't always have POS terminals that accept NFC contactless payments.

Again, this is the type of thread that highlights who is naive and who isn't.