Nowlin

The central questions presented here are (1) whether the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can require applicants for drivers’ licenses to obtain and disclose their Social Security numbers (SSN’s) under Vehicle Code section 12800 and (2) whether respondents have standing to challenge Vehicle Code section 1653.5, subdivision (f)(1), (2), and (3) regarding the disclosure of SSN’s by the DMV to other government agencies.

Appellant DMV appeals from a judgment of the trial court granting a petition by respondents Takoa Nowlin, Athena Nowlin (by and through her guardian ad litem Rosarme Nowlin) and Eric Jones (by and through his guardian ad litem Steven Jones) for writ of mandate pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1085. The trial court held that the DMV is prohibited from (1) requiring SSN’s to be disclosed by applicants for new and renewal drivers’ licenses and (2) disclosing that information to other state agencies.

We reverse.

Contentions

Appellant contends that: (1) the DMV needs SSN’s to ensure that penalties and fines imposed for violations of the Vehicle Code are paid, and therefore securing such data is permissible; (2) disclosure of SSN’s by the DMV is…