TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday firmly rejected the concept of issuing digital driver’s licenses in Florida, stating that the potential for presidency overreach outweighs the comfort provided by cell identification know-how.
Responding to a query on social media about when the state would digitize licenses, DeSantis responded with a definitive denial:
“The comfort of a digital drivers license is outweighed by the potential for presidency to abuse it. Not gonna occur in FL. No digital ID.”
The comfort of a digital drivers license is outweighed by the potential for presidency to abuse it.
Not gonna occur in FL.
No digital ID. https://t.co/YD7J6PtBgR
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) November 28, 2025
DeSantis’s place contrasts with that of greater than two dozen states which have both adopted or are actively piloting cell driver’s licenses to be used in eventualities equivalent to airport checkpoints and age verification.
The governor has repeatedly expressed skepticism about increasing authorities assortment and use of private information, a theme central to the “Digital Invoice of Rights” laws he signed into legislation in 2023.
Whereas proponents of digital IDs spotlight options like enhanced privateness the place customers can share solely essential data, equivalent to confirming they’re over 21 with out revealing their actual start date or deal with, critics warning that the know-how may facilitate elevated authorities surveillance and information assortment.
Florida will not be new to the idea, nonetheless. The Florida Division of Freeway Security and Motor Autos beforehand piloted a cell ID app, Florida Sensible ID, however later paused or pulled the app from shops for retooling. The state at present mandates that drivers carry the bodily, plastic model of their license.
DeSantis’s assertion makes clear that regardless of the rising pattern towards cell driver’s licenses throughout the nation, Florida won’t be shifting towards implementing a digital ID system.
