Florida Withdraws 'Smart ID' Digital Driver's License App From Stores

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has temporarily removed the Florida Smart ID digital driver’s license app from both iOS and Android app stores.

The department announced that the app would be updated and improved by a new vendor, with its return anticipated in early 2025.

In a statement on its website, FLHSMV recommended that users delete the app and revert to using physical IDs until further notice. Residents interested in updates can email FloridaSmartID@flhsmv.gov to be informed when the app is available again.

The specific reasons for the app's removal were not disclosed. In 2020, Thales, a UK-based company, began providing mobile driver’s license verification services and solutions for FLHSMV under a $1.8 million contract. By April 2023, Thales had received $1.5 million. However, their contract expired on June 30, 2024, and they chose not to compete in the new tender process despite the evolution of FLHSMV's requirements.

The Florida Smart ID app was designed as a secure digital version of a driver’s license, useful for age or identity verification at retail stores, bars, or during traffic stops. Nevertheless, physical licenses remain necessary for driving. The app required both the user and the verifier to have it installed on their devices for proper functionality.

Despite efforts by Florida officials to promote the Smart ID app, its adoption was limited, with only about 95,000 activations in a state with approximately 18 million licensed drivers. Feedback indicated mixed reviews, with some users appreciating its convenience while others criticized its performance and limited acceptance by businesses.

The Smart ID app did not integrate with Apple Wallet, and Florida's digital IDs are not yet accepted by the TSA at most airport security checkpoints, except at Miami International Airport for participating states.