
An Enhanced Driver’s License is a type of Real ID that is currently issued by the following states:
- Michigan.
- Minnesota.
- New York.
- Vermont.
- Washington.
Full Answer
What states issue Enhanced licenses?
The following US states currently offer EDLs:
- Michigan
- New York
- Vermont
- Washington
What documents are needed for an enhanced license?
- Proof of state residency. Depending on your state you will either need one or two documents of proof.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship.
- Proof of identity. In most cases, your current driver's license will suffice.
- A valid Social Security number.
- Proper documentation if your name has changed. ...
- Proper payment. ...
Is Real ID the same as Enhanced Driver's License?
A REAL ID costs the same as standard identification, while an Enhanced Driver's License costs $30 more. The biggest difference is an Enhanced ID allows you to travel to Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries without a passport -- but not by plane. A passport is still required for international flights.
How to apply for enhanced drivers license?
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence
- Proof of your full Social Security number
- Two proofs of Tennessee residency
- All documents must be originals or certified; no photocopies accepted.

What is a US enhanced driver's license?
Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) are state-issued enhanced drivers licenses that provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship. They are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier.
What countries accept the enhanced driver's license?
An EDL will allow you to make quick trips across the border to Canada or Mexico by car or by boat. However, you should be aware that an EDL cannot be used for travel to countries other than Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean nations included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
Does Canada accept enhanced driver's license?
Traveling to Canada (land and sea travel) Enhanced Drivers License (EDL): This optional travel document also serves as a New York State Driver's License and will be accepted as an alternative to a passport for all land and sea travel between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Is a Texas driver's license an enhanced driver's license?
No. Texas driver licenses and identification cards do not contain an electronic chip. Some states issue an enhanced driver license or identification card that contains an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) chip to assist with rapid identification checks at federal border checkpoints.
Do you need an enhanced license to fly in the US?
Read the announcement. Beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.
Can you use an enhanced license to go on a cruise?
U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government ...
Do I need a passport to go to Canada if I have an enhanced driver's license?
Americans with an Enhanced Identification Card (EIC) or Enhanced Drivers License (EDL) from Washington State, Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, New York, or Vermont can be allowed to travel to Canada without a Passport.
Can you get back into the US from Canada with an enhanced license?
According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Canadian citizens may enter the United States with one the following: Canadian passport, Enhanced Driver's License/Enhanced Identification Card, NEXUS, FAST/EXPRES and SENTRI enrollment cards.
Can I have both US and Canadian drivers license?
A Canadian license is valid in the U.S. and vice versa, so don't worry about it, you can drive legally in either country. Not quite a person residence in Canada for between 60-90 days (depends on the province) must obtain a Provincial license.
Can I fly to Mexico with an enhanced license?
The EDL allows for a convenient and cost-effective method of crossing the U.S. border by land or sea. 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.
What does the gold star on Texas license mean?
REAL ID-compliant licensesREAL ID-compliant licenses and IDs Your current Texas driver license or ID is REAL ID-compliant if it has a gold star in the top right corner. If it doesn't have a gold star, you'll get the gold star on your next renewal or request a replacement card. Get a REAL ID compliant card.
Do I need a REAL ID if I have a passport?
You will not need a Real ID if you plan to travel using a passport as identification, but if you want to use only your state issued ID for traveling you will need a Real ID compliant license or identification card.
What is an enhanced driver's license?
An enhanced driver license (also known as a passport card) eases your ability to travel in and out of the United States by land and sea, doubling as a driver's license and passport. With it, no other documents are needed for proving citizenship and identity when entering the U.S. or any other of the following participating Western Hemisphere Travel ...
How much does an EDL cost?
Requirements vary by state, but in all cases you must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of the state you're applying in. An EDL generally costs about $30 more than a regular driver's license, a considerable saving over a $130 passport. As an added bonus, it conveniently fits into the wallet.
What is an enhanced driver's license?
The Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is a driver's license that is issued to U.S. Citizens or Canadian citizens in the U.S. State or Province in which you reside. This driver's license is a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document for travels by land or sea only. It denotes both identity and citizenship ...
Is the EDL valid for international travel?
NOTE: The EDL and the ENDID are not valid for international air travel.
What is an enhanced driver's license?
What is an Enhanced Driver License (EDL)? 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.
How to get an enhanced learner permit?
Apply at a DMV office. You cannot apply online, by phone or by mail. If you never had a driver license before, you must first apply for an Enhanced learn er permit . You can complete your eye test at the DMV.
What documents do I need to bring to the DMV?
Complete this guide to make sure you have the documents and proofs of identification you need.
What is a real ID?
A REAL ID is federally compliant DMV issued driver license, learner permit or non-driver ID which you will be required to have to board a domestic flight (within the U.S.) or enter certain federal building starting in May 2023, unless you have a valid passport.
How long does it take to get an EDL?
It takes about 2 weeks for your new EDL document to arrive in the mail.
Can US citizens apply for EDL in New York?
Only US citizens who are residents of New York can apply for a New York State EDL.
Is EDL compliant with WHTI?
New York's EDL is compliant with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). 1 It is not acceptable for air travel between these countries. We recommend you contact your travel agent, your cruise line or the specific countries of destination to verify your travel document requirements.
What states have enhanced drivers licenses?
An Enhanced Driver’s License is a type of Real ID that is currently issued by the following states: Michigan. Minnesota. New York. Vermont. Washington. An Enhanced driver’s license has the same application requirements as a federally compliant Real ID, but will typically cost you an additional fee. An enhanced driver’s license features an American ...
How many proofs of residency are needed for a driver's license?
Two proofs of your residency in the state in which you’re applying for the license.
What is a Real ID?
A Real ID is a driver’s license, permit, or non-driver ID card that meets federal identification requirements.
Where is the American flag on a driver's license?
An enhanced driver’s license features an American flag in the corner of the card.
Where is the star on a driver's license?
A Real ID driver’s license as a star displayed in the corner of the license.
Do you need a Real ID to vote?
You do not need a Real ID to vote if your state requires identification at the ballot box.
What is an enhanced driver’s license in Minnesota?
A Minnesota enhanced driver’s license is a type of credential that motorists may obtain in order to operate their motor vehicles and to get additional benefits and privileges. Applicants for an EDL license will have access to the following benefits:
What is enhanced credential?
An enhanced credential is a legal document that enables motorists to legally drive while also extending benefits like the ability to cross a U.S. border by land or sea from certain countries without the need of holding a U.S. passport. To discover more information about how to get an enhanced license in Minnesota and about ...
What is an enhanced ID in Minnesota?
The Minnesota enhanced ID card (EID) is another type of enhanced credential that can serve motorists for dual purposes. This credential does not only serve as proof of identity, but it can also be used for re-entering the U.S. border by land or sea from Canada, Mexico or some of the Caribbean countries. The similarity between the EDL and the EID is that both credentials may be used instead of passports when entering from the above-mentioned countries into the U.S.
What is the difference between EDL and EID?
However, the basic difference between these two enhanced documents is that apart from the travelling benefits, the driver’s license is also used for operating motor vehicles, while the ID card is only utilized for identification purposes.
How long does it take to get an enhanced license in Minnesota?
Motorists will receive the new document after three to four weeks at their MN residential addresses.
What is EID and EDL?
The EDL, on the one hand , is used not only for operating motor vehicles, but also for re-entering the U.S. border by land or sea from a select number of countries. The EID, on the other hand, does not have only a purpose to serve as proof of identity, but it may also be used for re-entering the U.S. border and for accessing federal facilities.
How old do you have to be to get an EID in Minnesota?
The eligibility criteria for getting an EDL or and EID credential include the following: Be a U.S. citizen. Be an Minnesota resident. Be at least 16 years of age. Motorists who do not satisfy these DMV enhanced license requirements cannot apply for either of the two documents. Therefore, prior to beginning the application, ...
What is an enhanced license?
However, an enhanced license may be used as both a proof of identity and as a document to re-enter the U.S. border from specific countries. An EDL is a federally accepted document that motorists use to re-enter the U.S. border from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or from the Caribbean countries.
What is an enhanced driver’s license in Michigan?
An enhanced driver’s license (EDL) in Michigan is a special type of driving credential that enables motorists to re-enter the U.S. border by land or sea when returning from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or other Caribbean countries. Note that motorists who have a standard license or a commercial driver’s license (CDL) need to have a passport or other federal identity document in order to cross the U.S. border. With the enhanced document, drivers may travel by land or sea without a passport or other identification.
How long does it take to get an enhanced license in Michigan?
After completing an application for a Michigan enhanced driver’s license or ID card, motorists need to wait for the new credential. The SOS needs two to three weeks to process the application and issue the enhanced document. Therefore, drivers should to wait for three weeks the most after submitting the application before inquiring about the document.
What is the final step of the EDL application process?
The final step of the EDL application process requires applicants to submit payment for the corresponding fees to the MI SOS branch. The enhanced driver’s license cost is predetermined by the MI SOS. The imposed fee for each enhanced document is different. Therefore motorists need to know exactly the type of enhanced credential they intend to apply for so that they do not make a mistake by paying the wrong fee.
What are the requirements for an enhanced license in Michigan?
To apply for a Michigan enhanced driver’s license or ID card, motorists need to first satisfy certain eligibility requirements. The EDL eligibility criteria require motorists to be able to prove their U.S. citizenship and Minnesota residency.
Can I use an enhanced ID card for travel?
Therefore, the enhanced ID card may be used as proof of identity and citizenship, as well as for travelling from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or from the Caribbean to the United States. Both the MI enhanced license and ID card are federally approved documents approved by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
Is Michigan an enhanced ID?
The Michigan enhanced ID card is quite similar to the enhanced license, in terms of benefits and privileges that residents get from obtaining one. Both the driver’s license and the ID card may be issued as enhanced credentials so that motorists may use them as standard documents while also using them to re-enter the U.S. by land or sea from specific countries. Therefore, the enhanced ID card may be used as proof of identity and citizenship, as well as for travelling from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or from the Caribbean to the United States.
What is the identifier on a Florida driver's license?
The Florida driver license and ID card allows for the identification of sexual predators and sexual offenders with a blue identifier on the bottom right of the front of the card. Sexual predators will have “ Sexual Predator ” spelled out on the card, while sexual offenders have “ 943.0435, F.S.” listed in this area.
Where is the motorcycle endorsement on a Florida driver's license?
Motorcycle-also and motorcycle-only endorsements are designated by an “A” or “O” in the endorsement field located on the front of the card and are also indicated by a “A-MTRCL Also” or “O-MTRCL Only” on the back of the card.
What does the red box on a license card mean?
Credentials held by customers under 21 years of age will display a red box on the card front that indicates the date until which the customer will be under 21.
When did Florida change their driver's license?
Starting in August 2017, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles began issuing a new, more secure Florida driver license and ID card. By December 2017, the new credential became available at all service centers throughout Florida and online. In May 2019, the department began issuing modified credentials removing ...
Who endorses lifetime boater safety?
Lifetime Boater Safety endorsement from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
What is the UV feature in the sex offender badge?
In August 2020, the department developed additional enhancements to credentials, including redundant sexual predator and sexual offender designations as well as more ultraviolet (UV) features, to increase security and reduce the risk of fraud.
