Florida residents will soon have access to a mobile version of their driver’s license. Beginning 2021, Florida will be the first state in the U.S. to offer a digital copy to residents of their driver’s license on their smartphone or tablet.
“A mobile driver’s license serves as a real convenience for residents,” says Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent car insurance agency.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is working with Thales, a global technology company to provide the digital driver’s license. And, if you are not ready to let go of your card, don’t worry. It is also considered supplemental the traditional card.
“I’m excited for this innovative project that will make the state of Florida a national leader in offering secure and trusted mobile identification, which is a priority for our governor, Ron DeSantis,” said Terry L. Rhodes, Executive Director of the FLHSMV. “We have made a sustained commitment to the modernization of nearly every aspect of what our department does and how customers access our services, and Thales will be a great partner as Florida now steps into the future of mobile identification.”
A digital license is valid to verify identity, provide proof of age and driving privileges. Additionally, it is accepted by law enforcement, airport security and for age verification.
Thales says users of mobile driver licenses control what information is displayed from the app depending on the context. For example, to buy alcohol, it only needs to show that the individual is old enough and the mobile driver’s license will just display that information – not the individual’s name, date of birth, or address.
“A mobile driver’s license serves as a convenience for anyone who leaves their wallet at home,” says Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent car insurance agency.
The digital driver’s license is accessible on a variety of devices including smartphones and tablets, being retrieved through a mobile identification app.
Aside from offering greater convenience, it provides better security. Beneficially, the license will protect against fraud and counterfeiting. Counterfeiting becomes more difficult with a secure digitized credential that can be checked for authenticity rather than just display a digital image of a license that could be easily altered.
Another benefit of the digital license is it never needs to leave your hand.
However, the FLHSMV has yet to announce an exact date for application, sometime beginning 2021.
GreatFlorida Insurance offers comprehensive auto insurance to keep you and others covered. Contact us today.
