Marko Zivkovic
Florida has abruptly removed its digital driver's license application from the iOS and Android app stores, forcing digital ID holders to rely on physical cards for the time being.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has ended support for its current digital driver's license app, known as Florida Smart ID. The agency announced on its website that it is removing its application from the iOS App Store and Google Play Store on Android, and has instructed users to delete the current Florida Smart ID app from their devices as it will no longer be functional.
The sudden and unexpected removal of the Florida DHSMV's application is the result of a vendor-related issue. According to the FLHSMV website, the Florida Smart ID app will be updated and improved by an entirely new vendor.
As first reported by 9to5mac, The FLHSMV plans to have a new version of the app developed by early 2025. The agency has instructed users to send an email to FloridaSmartID@flhsmv.gov to receive notifications once the new-and-improved application becomes available.
The FLHSMV provided a short statement to users of the digital ID app.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is working to enhance services to its customers. The agency will be revising the Florida Smart ID application. Once a new vendor is selected, improvements will be made to the Florida Smart ID application.
At this time, FLHSMV is removing the current Florida Smart ID application from app stores. If you have downloaded the app, please delete it from your device, as it will no longer be functional. Please note, your data remains secure with the Department.
We expect the new app to be developed by early 2025 and will notify you by email at that time.
Florida's Smart ID application was originally introduced in early November of 2021, and became fully functional later a month later in December 2021. Unlike other US states, which support Digital IDs in Apple's Wallet app for iOS, Florida had a standalone application for digital driver's licenses.
While Apple's Wallet application lets users input and save digital IDs and driver's licenses, you can only add your license to the app in four US states: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia and Maryland. As mentioned previously, Florida had its own dedicated app for digital driver's licenses, meaning that they could not be added to the Apple Wallet app, despite claiming Apple was working with the state previously.
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15 Comments
The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) totally dropped the ball in the standard it developed for digital ID.
They focused far too much on designing a flashy digital ID and almost not at all on how the new ID would work elegantly alongside physical ID.
As a result, the new standard is a pain to actually accept alongside physical ID, so no one (rental car places, grocery stores, clubs, etc.) want to use it.
total mess
Why can't they just work with Apple and implement Apple's digital version? Why do these places have to think they can do it better?
Wish NYS would join the 21st-century and allow our drivers license to be integrated into the Apple wallet.
Sure this sounds super convenient but I'm not sure why everyone is rushing to have all of their data and identity controlled by Big Tech. I actually find it scary that one company has all your health data, personal information, banking information, and basically knows everything about you. That they'll use for their own corporate gain. There may not have been a data breach to date but the day there is, it'll be the most disastrous. I prefer my data to stay with the places that hold them now. With all that said I support regulation of big tech and think they should stay out of every industry
The current app was useless anyway. Went to the DMV a few months ago to pay for my renewal with a check (to avoid crazy surcharges for using a credit card).