Overview
- California’s DMV says it will add state license files to the AAMVA platform that federal agencies can query.
- The agency argues the step keeps California IDs usable for airport screening under federal Real ID rules.
- The DMV requested $55 million to upgrade its systems and transfer the data, and the plan needs legislative approval.
- The database uses identifiers tied to Social Security numbers, and entries without an SSN use a standard code such as 99999.
- Immigrant and privacy groups warn the move could expose more than one million AB 60 drivers, and some federal access may occur without state notification.