Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Profile narrative

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is the state agency responsible for issuing driver licenses, identification cards and learner permits to Florida residents. It also handles the registration and titling of motor vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, trailers and recreational vehicles. The agency maintains official records of driver histories, traffic convictions and vehicle ownership, which are used by law enforcement, courts and insurance providers. In addition to licensing and titling, FLHSMV administers highway safety programs such as impaired‑driving prevention, seat‑belt enforcement and commercial vehicle safety inspections. These services are delivered through various service channels that serve individuals, businesses and other government entities across the state.

FLHSMV is a state agency of Florida, operating within the state’s executive branch of government. Its core mandate combines regulatory oversight of motor vehicle operations with a public‑service mission to promote safe travel on Florida’s roads. The agency is distinguished by its specialization in managing large‑scale driver and vehicle databases, a competency that underpins both routine services and emergency response efforts. A notable event in its recent history occurred on 3 September 2026, when the threat actor ShinyHunters claimed to have accessed the FLHSMV database through a password‑reset weakness, allegedly exfiltrating records of approximately 200,000 drivers. This incident highlighted the importance of robust credential management for agency staff and underscored the intersection of state‑level data security with federal law‑enforcement interests.

Incidents

1 incident linked to this organisation.