California driver’s licenses have a new look, DMV says. What changed?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- California DMV unveiled redesigned driver’s licenses with state landscape imagery.
- New cards replace magnetic strips with embedded digital signatures in back barcodes.
- Existing licenses remain valid until expiration; new versions cost $45 license, $39 ID.
Driver’s licenses in California have a fresh new look and updated security features, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the DMV rolled out redesigned driver’s licenses and identification cards that “feature the unique beauty of the state’s landscape,” the agency said in a news release.
Besides a brand-new design, the cards also have enhanced anti-counterfeit protections.
Here’s a look at what’s changed:
What do new California’s driver’s licenses look like?
California’s updated driver’s licenses have several new security features.
The DMV has replaced the magnetic strip on the back of licenses and ID cards.
Now, the new cards have a digital security signature that’s embedded into one of two barcodes that appear on the back, the state agency said in a news release.
California is one of the first states in the country to include this kind of digital signature, according to the DMV.
The “next-generation technology” will make the cards more difficult to forge and replicate, the agency said.
The new cards also have updated designs with images of California’s iconic redwood trees and California poppies as well as the state’s expansive coastline.
Do I need to get an updated driver’s license?
Californians do not need to immediately get the new driver’s licenses and identification cards.
Current cards will remain valid until they reach their expiration dates, according to the DMV.
“While I know some of our customers will want the new version of the driver’s license, there is no need to replace an existing license or identification card until your current one expires,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said in the release.
How much does it cost to get new CA driver’s license?
It costs $45 to get an updated California driver’s license and $39 to get the more secure identification card.
Even though the cards include new features, the price of the cards have remained the same, the DMV said.
This story was originally published October 2, 2025 at 12:20 PM with the headline "California driver’s licenses have a new look, DMV says. What changed?."
