Vehicle Code section 12800.5
(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been revised to include the notices specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), and is repealed on January 1 of the following year.
Source:
Section 12800.5, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=12800.5. (accessed Apr. 24, 2025).