For example, an edl resembles a passport card in that it. Unlike passports, enhanced driver licenses can be carried in a wallet. Enhanced drivers license edl department of motor vehicles. An enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport.
An enhanced driver s license is a driver s license that doubles as proof of identity and united states citizenship. Enhanced and real ids can be used for domestic flights, entering federal buildings and getting into a military base. Enhanced driver license edl what is an enhanced driver license edl. The additional cost for an enhanced driver s license edl or an enhanced non driver id card endid is the same for both documents. Enhanced driver s license edl currently, only a small number of states offer enhanced driver s licenses arriving via cruise line or boat if youre plan is to board a boat and set sail to mexico for a long stay, travel to mexico from the us will require the same forms of id as traveling there by land.
Enhanced drivers licenses, another option, have been issued by only four states. First of all, they are cheaper than getting a passport. However, you can always get a passport card which is the same size as a drivers license. Ohios compliant drivers licenses wont allow you into. They provide travelers with a lowcost, convenient alternative for entering the united states from canada, mexico or the caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in addition to serving as a permit to drive. The enhanced driver s license edl is a special driver s license that allows michigan motorists to cross into the u. When crossing the border back and forth between baja and san diego, youll need to have a valid passport or other acceptable identification handy. Minnesota residents are now able to apply for an enhanced version of their driver s license or identification card that will allow reentry into the united states via land and sea from canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean. If youre planning to travel a year from now, you may need a new enhanced driver s license or a real id. Since mexico is one of the few places it can be used, you may jump at the chance to pay less for a passport.
Passed by congress in 2005, the real id act establishes minimum security standards for stateissued driver s licenses dl and identification id cards that can be used for official federal purposes. Passports in minnesota the main difference between an mn enhanced license and a u. Enhanced driver licenses edls are designated as acceptable land and sea bordercrossing documents by dhs under the western hemisphere travel initiative. Stateissued enhanced driver s licenses edls for short are issued. The arizona travel id is the credential that complies with the federal real id act of 2005. Real id, enhanced driver s licenses in new york state. Western hemisphere travel initiative homeland security.
Passports in new york motorists wondering what is the difference between a new york dmv enhanced license and a passport card should know that the edl like a cross between the two documents. Mexico travel requirements documents for entry to mexico. Beginning october 1, 2021, every traveler must present a real idcompliant driver s license, stateissued enhanced driver s license, or other acceptable forms of identification, such as a valid passport or u. An enhanced license permit, or non driver id is a new york state dmv issued document that you can use instead of a passport to return to the us by land or sea from canada, mexico and some countries in the caribbean. If you want an edl for your first wa driver license, you must pass both the knowledge and driving test if you already have a valid driver license from wa or another state, you dont need to pass the knowledge or driving test unless you have a medical or physical condition that indicates testing is required. In addition to serving as a driver s license or id card, the enhanced driver s license edl and the enhanced. Enhanced driver s license edl several states and canadian provinces are issuing this driver s license or identification document that denotes identity and citizenship. The department of homeland security dhs and the department of state jointly created the western hemisphere travel initiative whti, a new system that they claim allows the government to keep a closer eye on who is crossing. Sos applying for an enhanced drivers license over 18. Note that five states michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont and washington also issue an enhanced driver s license. They provide travelers with a lowcost, convenient alternative for entering the united states from canada, mexico or the caribbean.
Secondly, they fit more comfortably in your wallet than a passport book does, so they are more convenient. Beginning may 2019, the department began issuing modified credentials removing. Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses edls provide proof of identity and u. The states of michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont and washington state are currently the only states issuing these enhanced drivers licenses. This is a card under the western hemisphere travel initiative whti that has security features and technology that make travel a lot easier and safer. Enhanced driver s license edl currently, only a small number of states offer enhanced driver s licenses. Edls have different issuance and card requirements, such as rfid chips. A real id driver s license is pictured in this video still from the new york state dmv.
Only an enhanced license or passport can be used to cross the u. While edls are real id compliant, they have additional benefits over a regular real id compliant license, and can be used for land and sea border. Every other state may issue a real id act compliant license, which cannot be used by itself for cruising. The benefit of an edl is that it only takes about 2 weeks to process, while a passport takes about four weeks. In the past, it was possible for americans to drive into mexico or canada using only a standard stateissued driver license and a birth certificate. The fact that an employee presents or an employer accepts as a list b identity document a driver s license that meets form i9 requirements but contains federal limits apply, not acceptable for official federal purposes, or other similar notation on the front or back of the license, does not, in and of itself, support a conclusion that the employer had actual or constructive. With it you can enter the united states by land or sea from canada, mexico, or the caribbean without needing any other proof of identification. Stateissued enhanced driver s licenses are acceptable to verify your identity at the tsa checkpoint. Review the complete list of acceptable identification. The enhanced driver s license edl and real id are based on two different congressional mandates with divergent requirements. Can i use a driver license to drive into mexico or canada. An enhanced drivers license edl is not the equivalent of a passport and was designed solely to ease frequent travel by land or sea but not air travel between the united states, canada, mexico. They are specifically for travel in the western hemisphere including the united states, canada, mexico and the caribbean. A real id card marked limited term is not accepted.
An enhanced license permit, or nondriver id is a new york state dmv issued document that you can use instead of a passport to return to the us by land or sea from canada, mexico and some countries in the caribbean. A standard driver s license, an enhanced id and real id. By december 2017, the new credential became available at all service centers throughout florida and online. Bermudian citizens are required to present a valid passport. A spike in drug violence in northern mexico may have contributed. I have seen two people denied boarding without them in texas heading for cancun. Do i need to pass the knowledge or driving tests to get an enhanced driver license. S border from canada, mexico and some countries in the caribbean. What you need to know matt spillane, rocklandwestchester journal news published 10. Enhanced drivers license first time cruisers cruise. An enhanced drivers license edl is equivalent to a u. However, an enhanced driver license cannot be used for air travel, and it can only be used to go to canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean. Real idcompliant driver s licenses have a star in the upper right corner.
It is specifically designed for crossborder travel into the u. It is a federally approved document that allows you to reenter the u. Can you fly to mexico with a washington state enhanced. Yes, enhanced drivers licenses may be used for cruising within the whti but only 5 states currently issue them vermont, ny, washington state, michigan and minnesota. Valid, unexpired united states passport or united states passport card.
Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport. The enhanced driver s license is a costeffective and convenient document that meets driving, identification and bordercrossing needs. Also, the enhanced license or id in washington allows residents to cross into canada and mexico. A stateissued enhanced driver s license edl provides travelers not only a license to drive but also a proof of identity and citizenship when exiting and reentering the united states borders. The passport card looks like a driver s license and slips neatly into your wallet.
Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, enhanced driver s license, or trusted traveler program card nexus, sentri or fast. There is a gold star embedded in the card to show that the cardholder has provided added proof of identification to ensure the license. A regular driver s license no longer works for those border crossings. It is available as both a driver license and identification card. What is real id and will it affect your travel plans. New yorks edl is compliant with the western hemisphere travel initiative whti. Will tsa accept my enhanced drivers licenses at the tsa. An edl can be used for travel by land or sea between the united states and canada, mexico or the caribbean. Types of border crossing documention ezbordercrossing. New mexico s dl and id cards bearing the gold star, issued after november 14, 2016 are real id compliant. A license or id that does not meet real id requirements is not accepted. The enhanced drivers license edl is a special driver s license that allows michigan motorists to cross into the u. Edl is an attempt to satisfy the mandate of the western hemisphere travel initiative, which was passed by congress in 2004, and requires that anyone crossing the land borders of canada and mexico after january 31, 2008.
This license cannot be used for air travel in any of the above mentioned countries. Summer travel may require an enhanced driver license or a. Travelers presenting a real idcompliant driver s license or state identification card are still required to also present proof of citizenship, such as the documents listed above. These three types of enhanced identification cards look just like a regular license but contain a magnetic strip and a microchip that will give the border protection officer access to. Individuals who are unable to verify their identity will not be permitted to enter the tsa. New york dmv get an enhanced driver license edl or real id. As the name suggests, an enhanced driver s license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks. Mexican citizens, including children, are required to present a passport with visa, or a border crossing card. Customs and border patrol said enhanced driver s licenses are accepted for travel to and from canada by land and sea not by airplane. Maine s real idcompliant credential is not an enhanced id or license. As the name suggests, an enhanced drivers license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks. If you were born overseas you dont need a birth certificate, you need a. They provide travelers with a lowcost, convenient alternative for entering the united states from canada, mexico or the caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in.
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