GoKawiilFlorida, Rhode Island officials rule out Apple Wallet driver's licenses
Florida and Rhode Island have indicated they have no near-term plans to support Apple Wallet digital driver's licenses, even as more US states roll out the feature. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis publicly opposed digital IDs, citing risk of government abuse, after the state discontinued an earlier digital ID program in 2024. In Rhode Island, AAMVA board chair Walter Craddock said he's waiting for broader demand and more places that accept mobile licenses before investing in the technology.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The holdouts show that Apple's digital ID rollout depends heavily on state-level political will, not just technical readiness, meaning adoption could remain uneven for years. DeSantis's privacy concerns suggest resistance may be ideological rather than practical, which could make Florida a long-term outlier regardless of federal acceptance like TSA's. Rhode Island's stance hints that smaller states may wait for critical mass of usable locations before committing budget to digital ID development.
- Florida and Rhode Island currently have no plans to launch Apple Wallet driver's licenses.
- Florida Governor DeSantis opposes digital IDs over concerns about government overreach.
- Rhode Island's AAMVA board chair cites limited acceptance and low demand as reasons to delay.
Source: 9to5mac.com — Ryan Christoffel, 2026-10-08
Published there as: “These US states just said ‘no’ to Apple Wallet driver’s licenses”
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