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AB-1149 • 2026

Driver’s licenses.

Driver’s licenses.

Technology
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Davies
Last action
2025-06-13
Official status
Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Valladares.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify whether the Department of Motor Vehicles must obtain approval from the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security for each digital license issued, or if this is a prerequisite condition already met by the pilot program's authorization.

Driver's License Exemption for Digital Licenses

This law allows people in a special test program to have both a digital driver's license and a regular paper one at the same time until July 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

  • Exempts participants in a pilot program for digital licenses from the rule that prohibits having more than one driver’s license.
  • Allows people who are part of this pilot program to possess both a physical and a digital driver's license simultaneously until July 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who are part of a special test program for digital driver’s licenses.
  • The Department of Motor Vehicles, which runs the pilot program and issues both physical and digital licenses to participants.

Terms To Know

Pilot Program
A small-scale trial run of a new idea or technology before it is widely used.
Real ID Driver’s License
A type of driver's license that meets federal standards for identification and security.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The exemption only applies until July 1, 2026.
  • It is unclear how many people will be part of the pilot program or if it will continue after this date.

Bill History

  1. 2025-06-13 California Legislative Information

    Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Valladares.

  2. 2025-06-13 California Legislative Information

    From Consent Calendar.

  3. 2025-06-11 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.

  4. 2025-06-10 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 10).

  5. 2025-05-22 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on TRANS.

  6. 2025-05-07 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on TRANS.

  7. 2025-04-21 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  8. 2025-04-21 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 1176.)

  9. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.

  10. 2025-04-08 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 7).

  11. 2025-04-02 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.

  12. 2025-04-01 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.

  13. 2025-03-10 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on TRANS.

  14. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

  15. 2025-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1149, as amended, Davies.
Driver’s licenses.
Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a driver’s license to an applicant when the department determines that the applicant is lawfully entitled to a license. Existing law authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to establish a pilot program to evaluate the use of optional mobile or digital alternatives to driver’s licenses and identification cards, subject to certain requirements, and authorizes the pilot program to include the issuance of mobile or digital Real ID driver’s licenses or identification cards upon authorization of the United States Secretary of Homeland Security. Existing law prohibits a person from possessing, or having under their control, more than one driver’s license.
This bill
would, until July 1, 2026,
would
exempt from that multiple driver’s licenses prohibition a person who possesses, or otherwise has under their control, a digital driver’s license issued pursuant to the above-described pilot program and a physical driver’s license.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF