The Baja California State Congress has urged local governments across the state to uniformly accept and recognize digital driver’s licenses and vehicle registration cards, citing the need to modernize public administration and better protect motorists’ rights.
The proposal, introduced by state lawmaker Araceli Geraldo, argues that digitizing official documents is a public policy tool designed to streamline government services, improve access, and provide legal certainty through electronic authentication systems.
State officials have already announced that beginning in 2026, vehicle registration cards will no longer be issued in printed form. In response, municipalities were called on to update their traffic regulations to formally recognize the validity of digital documents issued by the state.
While cities including Mexicali, Tijuana, Playas de Rosarito, and Tecate have already made those regulatory changes, Ensenada, San Felipe, and San Quintín are still in the process of updating their rules. According to lawmakers, this uneven implementation has led to inconsistent enforcement and confusion for drivers.
Geraldo warned that the lack of uniform standards has resulted in situations where motorists presenting valid digital documents have faced unnecessary delays, document retention, or improper demands during traffic stops. She said these practices can lead to arbitrary enforcement and increase the risk of irregular or abusive conduct.
The congressional appeal calls on municipalities to refrain from towing vehicles or detaining drivers when digital licenses and registration cards are presented, to formally recognize their legal validity, and to establish clear verification protocols. It also urges mandatory training for traffic officers to ensure proper enforcement.
Lawmakers emphasized the urgency of updating local traffic regulations statewide, arguing that consistent rules are essential to safe mobility, legal certainty, and public trust in government institutions.
