Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

California Code, Vehicle Code - VEH § 12800.5

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

<Section as amended by Stats.2022, c. 482 (A.B.1766), § 7, eff. Jan. 1, 2023, operative until the date the department notifies the Legislature that the driver’s license has been revised to include the notices specified in subds. (b)(2)(A) and (b)(2)(B). See, also, section as added by Stats.2022, c. 482 (A.B.1766), § 8, eff. Jan. 1, 2023, operative on the date the department notifies the Legislature that the driver’s license has been revised to include the notices specified in subds. (b)(2)(A) and (b)(2)(B).>

(a)(1) A license shall bear a fullface engraved picture or photograph of the licensee.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law, the department shall not, unless requested by the licensee, distribute or sell the licensee's picture or photograph or any information pertaining to the licensee's physical characteristics to any private individual, other than the licensee, or to any firm, copartnership, association, or corporation. This paragraph does not apply to a 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 license, including a temporary license issued pursuant to Section 12506, shall bear the following notice: “This license is issued as a license to drive a motor vehicle; it does not establish eligibility for employment, voter registration, or public benefits.”

(2) In the next scheduled revision of the driver's license on or after January 1, 2023, the notice specified in paragraph (1) shall be replaced by the following notice requirement:

(A) A Real ID driver's license, as described in Section 681, shall bear a notice including, but not limited to, that the license is issued as a license to drive a motor vehicle, and that it does not establish eligibility for employment, voter registration, or public benefits.

(B) A driver's license that is not a Real ID driver's license, as described in Section 681, shall bear a notice including, but not limited to, that the license is issued as a license to drive a motor vehicle, 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) The department may demand proof of age prior to the issuance of a license.

(d) This section shall become inoperative on the date the department notifies the Legislature that the driver's license has been revised to include the notices specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), and is repealed on January 1 of the following year.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - California Code, Vehicle Code - VEH § 12800.5 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-12800-5/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard