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Earlier editions: 2020-112018-11

DIVISION 6. DRIVERS' LICENSES 12500-15326›CHAPTER 1. Issuance of Licenses, Expiration, and Renewal 12500-13020›ARTICLE 5. Identification Cards 13000-13008

§ 13005.5

California Vehicle Code · 2026 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · California

(a) (1) An identification card issued to any person shall bear a fullface engraved picture or photograph of the person.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law, the department shall not, unless requested by the applicant, distribute or sell the applicant’s picture or photograph or any information pertaining to the applicant’s physical characteristics to any private individual, other than the applicant, or to any firm, copartnership, association, or corporation. This paragraph does not apply to any private business entity that contracts with the department for the production of driver’s licenses and identification cards, if the contract prohibits the unauthorized use and disclosure of the information.

(b) (1) A Real ID identification card, as described in Section 681, shall bear a notice including, but not limited to, that the identification card is issued only as a means of identification, and that it does not establish eligibility for employment, voter registration, or public benefits.

(2) An identification card that is not a Real ID identification card, as described in Section 681, shall bear a notice including, but not limited to, that the identification card is issued only as a means of identification, it does not establish eligibility for employment, firearms purchases, voter registration, or public benefits, and that it is not acceptable for official federal purposes.

(c) This section shall become operative on the date the department notifies the Legislature that the identification card has been revised to include the notices specified in subdivision (b).

(Repealed (in Sec. 12) and added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 482, Sec. 13. (AB 1766) Effective January 1, 2023. Section conditionally operative by its own provisions.)

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