Overview
- California’s DMV started the rollout on Oct. 1, applying the new design to both driver’s licenses and state ID cards featuring redwoods, poppies and coastline imagery.
- The security upgrade adds a digitally signed barcode on the back, with California among the first states to adopt this anti-counterfeit measure.
- The magnetic stripe has been removed from the new cards.
- Fees are unchanged at $45 for a driver’s license and $39 for an ID card.
- The refresh follows security additions in 2010 and a Real ID redesign in 2018, and the DMV encourages customers to use online services for eligible transactions.