Brunson

In this second appeal of this matter, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) again appeals the judgment granting a petition for writ of mandate which prohibits the DMV from requiring petitioners to provide their Social Security numbers in order to obtain new or renewed drivers’ licenses and/or DMV identification cards. We again reverse the judgment.

1. First Amendment

As we explained in our prior opinion, petitioners filed a petition for writ of mandate against the DMV, seeking to enjoin the DMV from refusing to accept petitioners’ applications for new and renewed drivers’ licenses and DMV identification cards due to petitioners’ failure to provide their Social Security numbers on the DMV application, as required by law. (Veh. Code §§ 1653.5, 12800.) Petitioners, members of the March of Ide’s Foundation, objected to providing their Social Security numbers on religious grounds. Specifically, petitioners alleged that the acquisition of a Social Security number or the use of such a number for any purpose other than the administration of Social Security would endanger their chances of being chosen for life after death and that, most probably, acquisition of such a number…