Florida has temporarily suspended support for its digital driver's license app
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.
Florida has removed its Florida Smart ID app from the iOS App Store
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 [email protected] 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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Comments
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
Apple doesn't know anything about you. How many times do we have to go over this?
That said though I don’t see the advantage of a digital drivers license. In the 45 years I’ve had a licence it has never had a dead battery, or a cracked screen, or trouble getting service. It has never been damaged by water or overheated. A card just works. I do not see the advantage of putting another egg in an already overflowing basket, especially one that is dependant on so many things working properly. I carry a wallet and a phone. It ain’t a big deal.