Florida Politics reports Apple is working with the state of Florida to bring support for its upcoming digital driver’s licenses to the iPhone’s Wallet app.
The state’s Smart-ID app, currently under development, will allow Florida residents to securely provide identification information through their smartphones. The report says the app is currently live but is not yet available to the public.
The smartphone app is expected to see a mid-November release on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. While Wallet support won’t be immediately available, Apple is working with the state to make the digital IDs available in Wallet.
Senate Transportation Committee Chair Gayle Harrell called smartphones a marvelous tool for digital driver’s licenses and other identifications. The state began the process to develop digital driver’s licenses in 2014.
“We all have these instruments in our pockets,” Harrell said. “They have become our way of life, our lifeline, truly, to the world.”
iOS 15 brings support for digital identification cards and driver’s licenses in the Wallet app. The first rollout will be focused on proving identity at TSA checkpoints, but the system could also be used for other identification needs.
Florida was initially left off of a list of partner states that Apple announced that it is working with to bring digital ID support to Wallet. State officials subsequently exchanged information with Apple in the hopes of being added to the slate of partners.
According to the report, the app is ready for law enforcement roadside stops, age checks, and department customer notifications. Future planned uses include car rentals, voting, airport security, ride-sharing, and more.
