The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has announced the discontinuation of its Florida Smart ID app, a digital driver’s license initiative, and plans to revise the app in the near future. In an email to app users, the department urged them to uninstall the app, stating it would no longer be functional. The department anticipates a new app to be developed by early 2025. While the Smart ID page remains on the department’s website, the accompanying FAQ has been condensed to mirror the email content.
The app, developed by Thales in a $1.5 million deal, required users to scan their physical Florida ID, take a selfie for verification, and then navigate a registration process. Once complete, users received a digital representation of their ID with a scannable QR code. However, the app did not eliminate the requirement for a physical driver’s license while driving. The email suggests the department is seeking new vendors to develop the new app, indicating a potential delay in the relaunch beyond early 2025.
While the number of Smart ID app users was relatively small (95,000 users compared to 18.2 million licensed drivers in Florida), the app’s discontinuation has disappointed users seeking a more modern driver’s license option. This is particularly notable considering that both iOS and Android platforms offer built-in digital identification verification options, currently implemented in states like Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Maryland.
The department’s decision to scrap the Smart ID app reflects the ongoing challenges of digital identity verification, particularly in the context of driver’s licenses. It remains to be seen whether the new app will address the shortcomings of its predecessor and provide a seamless and user-friendly digital driver’s license experience.
