It’s been a while since I’ve written about my quest to ditch my keys and wallet and be able to leave the house with nothing but my iPhone. All the blocking is due to automobiles. I still don’t have a car that lets me unlock it and start it with my phone and I still don’t have a digital driver’s license.
Happily, that last problem is about the change. Sort of. Florida’s version of the DMV (FLHSMV) is saying that they expect to make digital licenses available to the public in mid-November. That’s great news and moves me closer to my goal of a walletless future. I say “sort of” because, at least for now, you still have to carry your physical license. That’s because Florida law requires it but I expect that sooner or later the Florida legislature will bestir itself and agree that the digital version will suffice. After all, if it’s good enough for the TSA, it ought to be good enough for a traffic stop.
As I was writing this post, another issue came up. If look at the report from the Florida TV station at the above link, you’ll notice that they let their readers record their reaction to the story. An astounding 57% said that the idea of a digital license made them mad. What!?! Are these people crazy? Sure, some people won’t want a digital license for any of a number of reasons and that’s fine but the digital license is completely optional: if you don’t want one, you simply don’t download the app. Why on earth would these people be mad that those who want a digital license can get one?
Just add it to the ever-growing list of things I don’t understand. In the mean time, the future is coming to Florida driver’s licenses.