Valid, unexpired united states passport or united states passport card. 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. I have seen two people denied boarding without them in texas heading for cancun. 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. He views it as an offspring of the 2009 western hemisphere travel initiative, and harper said its not difficult to imagine a time when this socalled enhanced driver s license edl program. 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. The enhanced driver s license edl and real id are based on two different congressional mandates with divergent requirements. Bermudian citizens are required to present a valid passport. Summer travel may require an enhanced driver license or a. There is a gold star embedded in the card to show that the cardholder has provided added proof of identification to ensure the license. 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.
Sos applying for an enhanced drivers license over 18. 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. As the name suggests, an enhanced drivers license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks. The arizona travel id is the credential that complies with the federal real id act of 2005. A real id card marked limited term is not accepted. A standard driver s license, an enhanced id and real id. Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, enhanced driver s license, or trusted traveler program card nexus, sentri or fast. They are specifically for travel in the western hemisphere including the united states, canada, mexico and the caribbean.
The benefit of an edl is that it only takes about 2 weeks to process, while a passport takes about four weeks. Enhanced and real ids can be used for domestic flights, entering federal buildings and getting into a military base. The additional cost for an enhanced driver s license edl or an enhanced non driver id card endid is the same for both documents. 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. Enhanced driver licenses edls are designated as acceptable land and sea bordercrossing documents by dhs under the western hemisphere travel initiative. Will tsa accept my enhanced drivers licenses at the tsa.
A spike in drug violence in northern mexico may have contributed. It is available as both a driver license and identification card. An enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport. 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. Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses edls provide proof of identity and 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. 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.
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. Passports in minnesota the main difference between an mn enhanced license and a u. Ohios compliant drivers licenses wont allow you into. An enhanced driver s license is a driver s license that doubles as proof of identity and united states citizenship. Customs and border patrol said enhanced driver s licenses are accepted for travel to and from canada by land and sea not by airplane. It is a federally approved document that allows you to reenter the u. Note that five states michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont and washington also issue an enhanced driver s license. First of all, they are cheaper than getting a passport. 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. The enhanced driver s license is a costeffective and convenient document that meets driving, identification and bordercrossing needs.
Only an enhanced license or passport can be used to cross the u. Every other state may issue a real id act compliant license, which cannot be used by itself for cruising. Stateissued enhanced driver s licenses edls for short are issued. For example, an edl resembles a passport card in that it. What is real id and will it affect your travel plans. 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.
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. 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. The states of michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont and washington state are currently the only states issuing these enhanced drivers licenses. Enhanced drivers licenses, another option, have been issued by only four states. 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. Enhanced drivers license edl department of motor vehicles. Enhanced drivers license enhanced identification card enhanced tribal id card edl eic. Real idcompliant driver s licenses have a star in the upper right corner. 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. 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. New yorks edl is compliant with the western hemisphere travel initiative whti.
A real id driver s license is pictured in this video still from the new york state dmv. By december 2017, the new credential became available at all service centers throughout florida and online. Mexican citizens, including children, are required to present a passport with visa, or a border crossing card. As the name suggests, an enhanced driver s license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks. What you need to know matt spillane, rocklandwestchester journal news published 10. Do i need to pass the knowledge or driving tests to get an enhanced driver license. A license or id that does not meet real id requirements is not accepted. Stateissued enhanced driver s licenses are acceptable to verify your identity at the tsa checkpoint. Edls have different issuance and card requirements, such as rfid chips. Enhanced driver license edl what is an enhanced driver license edl. Note that a real id compliant license and an enhanced driver s license edl are not the same thing.
Types of border crossing documention ezbordercrossing. S border from canada, mexico and some countries in the caribbean. The main difference applies when reentering the us by land or sea. Secondly, they fit more comfortably in your wallet than a passport book does, so they are more convenient. Unlike passports, enhanced driver licenses can be carried in a wallet. 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. This license cannot be used for air travel in any of the above mentioned countries. It is specifically designed for crossborder travel into the u. Enhanced driver s license edl several states and canadian provinces are issuing this driver s license or identification document that denotes identity and citizenship. However, you can always get a passport card which is the same size as a drivers license. Enhanced an enhanced license, permit, or non driver id can be used.
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. Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport. Real id, enhanced driver s licenses in new york state. When crossing the border back and forth between baja and san diego, youll need to have a valid passport or other acceptable identification handy. Mexico travel requirements documents for entry to mexico. If youre planning to travel a year from now, you may need a new enhanced driver s license or a real id. 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. Individuals who are unable to verify their identity will not be permitted to enter the tsa. 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. Review the complete list of acceptable identification. New york dmv get an enhanced driver license edl or real id. 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. The passport card looks like a driver s license and slips neatly into your wallet. In addition to serving as a driver s license or id card, the enhanced driver s license edl and the enhanced.
Can you fly to mexico with a washington state enhanced. They provide travelers with a lowcost, convenient alternative for entering the united states from canada, mexico or the caribbean. Maine s real idcompliant credential is not an enhanced id or license. Western hemisphere travel initiative homeland security. Can i use a driver license to drive into mexico or canada. Beginning may 2019, the department began issuing modified credentials removing. New mexico s dl and id cards bearing the gold star, issued after november 14, 2016 are real id compliant.
A regular driver s license no longer works for those border crossings. Since mexico is one of the few places it can be used, you may jump at the chance to pay less for a passport. If you live in michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont or washington, you may be wondering if your enhanced driver s license will be accepted at the security checkpoint come october 1, 2020. If you were born overseas you dont need a birth certificate, you need a. An enhanced drivers license edl is equivalent to a u. The enhanced drivers license edl is a special driver s license that allows michigan motorists to cross into the u. Enhanced driver s license edl currently, only a small number of states offer enhanced driver s licenses. Enhanced drivers license first time cruisers cruise. 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. Also, the enhanced license or id in washington allows residents to cross into canada and mexico. Travel to mexico with an enhanced license cancun forum. The enhanced driver s license edl is a special driver s license that allows michigan motorists to cross into the u.
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