Motor Vehicles Department Needs Vendor to Overhaul Digital ID Application

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is seeking a new vendor to overhaul its Florida Smart ID application.

Earlier this week, the department emailed app users stating that FLHSMV “is working to enhance services to its customers” by revising the app.

The email also asks those who currently have the app on their phones to delete it from their device, as it will no longer be functional and reassures users that all obtained data will remain secure.

The app was launched in 2022 as a collaboration between FLHSMV and Thales, a third-party identity management vendor.

At the time, Steve Purdy, the former head of sales and marketing for Thales’ identity and verification business branch, told Government Technology*, “The way it works is that we are responsible for the backbone of the app’s credentialing services,” and “we will also oversee authentication updates along with other verification requirements.”

FLHSMV spent nearly $2 million to develop the app, according to a report from Orlando's News 6. Now, however, the agency is searching for a new vendor to make changes to the app.

“Once a new vendor is selected, improvements will be made to the Florida Smart ID application,” according to FLHSMV’s email sent on July 10. “We expect the new app to be developed by early 2025 and will notify you via email at that time.”

According to the News 6 article, more than 521,000 people have used the app since it launched.

*Government Technology is a sister publication of Industry Insider — Florida, and their parent company is e.Republic.