Florida and Rhode Island delay Apple Wallet driver’s licenses as questions about digital IDs linger.
Florida and Rhode Island aren’t planning to roll out Apple Wallet driver’s licenses soon, even as other states push ahead with mobile IDs. Florida’s governor opposes digital IDs, and Rhode Island stresses cross‑platform compatibility and cost. Three states are still expected to launch MDLs soon, but timing varies. For now, you’ll likely still need a physical license.
What this means for you: digital IDs are being tested, but privacy and practical use remain hot topics as states weigh the benefits against risks.
Two states are putting a hold on Apple Wallet driver’s licenses even as the broader push for digital IDs moves forward in other places. Florida and Rhode Island have signaled they won’t roll out Apple Wallet driver’s licenses in the near term. In Florida, the governor’s long‑standing opposition to digital IDs shapes the state’s direction. In Rhode Island, officials cite practical hurdles like cross‑platform compatibility and cost, with leadership changes looming that could alter the pace of any plan.
In the meantime, other states continue planning or moving toward mobile driver’s licenses (MDLs), with launches expected in the coming months. The core question remains: how will MDLs balance convenience, privacy, and security for everyday use?
The convenience of a digital drivers license is outweighed by the potential for government to abuse it.
Not gonna happen in FL.
No digital ID. https://t.co/YD7J6PtBgR
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) November 28, 2025
The focus here is on Florida and Rhode Island, both of which aren’t planning to introduce Apple Wallet driver’s licenses right away. Florida recently redesigned its physical license and ID card, but there were no public plans announced for a digital version. Governor DeSantis has publicly opposed digital driver’s licenses, which appears to slow any MDL progress in the state.
Rhode Island’s leadership, including Walter “Bud” Craddock, who chairs the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators’ International Board, points to interoperability and cost concerns. He notes that a universal approach would avoid duplicating work across Apple, Google Wallet, and other platforms. Craddock’s term is ending soon, so the state’s direction could shift depending on the next administrator.
MDL stands for mobile driver’s license, a digital version of your state ID stored in a phone wallet. Proponents say it can speed up verification, reduce clutter, and let you present your ID without pulling out a plastic card. Critics worry about privacy, how IDs are checked in real life, and whether places like airports will fully accept MDLs the same way they do plastic licenses. The Florida and Rhode Island debates reflect those tensions as states test how to keep ID checks secure while staying user-friendly.
If you’re a resident of Florida or Rhode Island, don’t expect Apple Wallet driver’s licenses to appear soon. People in other states may still be waiting for a formal rollout, so you’ll likely need a physical license for now. Privacy and security questions about MDLs are common, including how data is stored and how authorities can revoke a digital ID. Stay alert for official updates from your state DMV or equivalent agency.
Leadership changes in Rhode Island could influence the timeline, and Florida’s politics remain a factor in any MDL decision. In general, three states are still eyeing MDLs and are expected to launch in the near future, though exact dates vary. If you want to know whether your state will offer an Apple Wallet version, keep an eye on DMV announcements in the coming weeks and months.
There is no announced timeline, and the governor’s opposition makes a quick launch unlikely for now.
Rhode Island cites interoperability and cost as reasons to delay, but leadership changes could shift the timeline, with no launch date yet set.
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