Only an enhanced license or passport can be used to cross the u. Applying for an enhanced driver s license over 18, already licensed information about upgrading a michigan or outofstate license to an enhanced license. Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, enhanced drivers license, or trusted traveler program card nexus, sentri or fast. Jan 21, 2019 the popular new michigan enhanced driver s licenses substitutes for a passport for travel. There is no extra fee to get a real idcompliant license.
See how to update your address or name on your enhanced driver license id card. 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. Some states issue enhanced driver licenses edls as an alternative for entering the united states from canada, mexico, or the caribbean by land or a sea port. Enhanced an enhanced license, permit, or non driver id can be used. 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 department of homeland security dhs and the department of state jointly created the western hemisphere travel initiative whti. Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses are acceptable to verify your identity at the tsa checkpoint. Washington state issues enhanced driver s licenses only. English, or enhanced id in other common usage, is a card which functions both as driving licence and id card with limited passport features issued in some provinces in canada, in some states in the united states, and for the people who are both citizens of. Enhanced drivers license what is an enhanced drivers license. An enhanced driver s license edl in michigan is a special type of driving credential that enables motorists to reenter the u. 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.
An enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport. What is the western hemisphere travel initiative whti and how does it affect me. To ensure your application process is as smooth as possible, remember. The enhanced driver license has been available to new york state residents. Can i use a driver license to drive into mexico or canada. Note that a real id compliant license and an enhanced driver s license edl are not the same thing. The final step of the edl application process requires applicants to submit payment for the corresponding fees to the mi sos branch. Learn more about enhanced and real ids the learner permit is the first step in getting a ny state license or cdl. Changes coming to washington drivers license to comply. The enhanced drivers license contains a radio frequency identification chip that contains information about the person the edl was issued to, so they are harder to fake than a regular drivers license.
Current status of statesterritories homeland security. English, or enhanced id in other common usage, is a card which functions both as driving licence and id card with limited passport features issued in some provinces in canada, in some states in the united states, and for the people who are both citizens of the country and residents in the relevant region. The enhanced drivers license is a costeffective and convenient document that. The enhanced drivers license cost is predetermined by the mi sos. Why to keep enhanced drivers license for real id purposes. Michigan, vermont, minnesota, and new york states issue real id and stateissued enhanced driver s licenses, both of which are acceptable. Michigan to offer enhanced drivers license for trips to. How many have traveled to mexico with an enhanced drivers license verses a passport. Aug 22, 2014 an enhanced license is a license with photo identification that is used to pass check points in security at airports.
Secretary of state trying to clear confusion about real id arenac. Enhanced drivers license first time cruisers cruise. An enhanced license or state id card issued in michigan is accepted at any u. The enhanced driver licenses and enhanced id cards edlseids can be used for all federal. If you already have a driver s license, whether it be from michigan or another u. I just read the nys enhance license page that pcsanity posted the link for. An edl is a chipped credential that can access an individuals biographic and biometric data. Veterans id on drivers license or id card by state by militarybenefits a list of states offering veterans designation logos on driver s licenses and id cards which now includes all. Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport. An enhanced drivers license edl serves as both a drivers license and bordercrossing card.
The enhanced driver license edl or enhanced id card eid confirms your identity and u. The enhanced drivers license edl is a special drivers license that allows michigan motorists to cross into the u. Introduction to the michigan enhanced drivers license. You still need a passport to travel to those countries on a plane, though. Will the oregon real id license be an enhanced driver license. 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. Cross the border with michigans enhanced drivers license mlive. As the name suggests, an enhanced driver s license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks. An edl can be used for travel by land or sea between the united states and canada, mexico or the. An enhanced drivers license edl is equivalent to a u. Can i use a driver license to drive into mexico or. Michigan, vermont and minnesota offer enhanced drivers licenses that.
May 10, 2009 it wasnt exactly the border between canada and the u. You will need to pass driving, written knowledge, and vision tests, and pay the appropriate fees. The global entry ge card is only an entry document and may not be used to enter canada, mexico or adjacent island. Jul 03, 2015 enhanced drivers licenses, which demonstrate us citizenship, can be used for real id purposes. Find out your new states requirements for transferring teen driver licenses. 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. Instead, you must apply for a new license, which most likely will require passing a vision test, written exam, and driving test. Consider renewing early if you want to have a driver license or identification card that is federally compliant. However, the new york state dmv is strongly encouraging residents to apply for a real id or enhanced drivers license now to ensure theyll be able to travel in the future. The following is a list of the current status of each stateterritory. If you were to go by land or sea, you could use the passport or a passport card, also issued by the state department and with the same requirements as a passport, but at a lower cost but your enhanced driver s license will get you nowhere.
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. Make sure you have the correct documents before visiting a secretary of state office. Beginning may 2019, the department began issuing modified credentials removing. Why you might need to get a new michigan drivers license. It is available as both a driver license and identification card. What is the michigan enhanced driver s license edl. 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. As of june 1, 2009, a passport or passport card is required to go between mexico, canada and the united states on land or by sea. Why you need an enhanced drivers license now more than ever. Is it just as good or has anyone had problems getting through customs to andor from the us. Get an enhanced drivers license when you go to renew your regular drivers license.
Documents required for an enhanced license or id you must present specific documentation to obtain a michigan enhanced driver s license. The department of homeland security dhs announced on december 20, 20 a phased enforcement plan for the real id act the act, as passed by congress, that will implement the act in a measured, fair, and responsible way. An enhanced drivers license or edl serves as both a drivers license and an identification card that proves citizenship for certain purposes. Like the newer passports, the enhanced drivers license has a radio frequency identification chip to provide stronger identification, so it is whticompliant for land and sea trips to mexico, canada and the caribbean.
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 crossings in a similar manner to a passport card. Minnesota residents are now able to apply for an enhanced version of their drivers license or identification card that will allow reentry into the united states via land and sea from canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean. Michigan enhanced drivers license secretary of states office. Need a michigan enhanced drivers license michigan enhanced drivers license is a legal document that serves as an identification and helps meet your bordercrossing needs.
Applying for your ak driver s license must be done in person at a dmv office. There is a gold star embedded in the card to show that the cardholder has provided added proof of identification to ensure the license. The imposed fee for each enhanced document is different. California dmv home page is available for customers to check out publications, download forms, brochures, faqs, vehicle information, boats, vessel, and field offices. The enhanced drivers license edl is a special driver s license that allows michigan motorists to cross into the u. Enhanced drivers license edl department of motor vehicles. While showing your state issued drivers license used to be sufficient to gain entry into. Passport card originally posted by sqfreak previously, the governments had mutually agreed that a photo id and a birth certificate were sufficient. The arizona travel id is the credential that complies with the federal real id act of 2005. The new licenses will feature a gold star in the upper righthand corner or an american flag on michigan enhanced driver s licenses. It is a federally approved document that allows you to reenter the u. It is available through the michigan secretary of states office to michigan residents who are also u. An edl may be used for land or sea travel but is not sufficient for air travel as the identification required to cross international borders between the united states with canada, mexico, and some. Edls have different issuance and card requirements, such as rfid chips.
An enhanced license contains personal background information stored in a chip. Enhanced drivers license and state identification card. Real id, enhanced driver s licenses in new york state. 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. The main difference applies when reentering the us by land or sea. Each state is having to produce the real id drivers licenses and state ids for people. Do i need to pass the knowledge or driving tests to get an enhanced driver license. Regardless of whether you are using a us passport or enhanced driver s license to cross the canadian border, a dui or dwi can make you inadmissible to the country and cause you to be denied entry at the border. Secretary of state trying to clear confusion about real id ogemaw. Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses edls provide proof of identity and u. The enhanced drivers license is a costeffective and convenient document that meets driving, identification and bordercrossing needs. Stateissued enhanced driver s licenses do not have a star on the top of the card.
Will tsa accept my enhanced drivers licenses at the tsa. Find out how to replace your enhanced driver license or enhanced id card if its lost or stolen. If your driver license has been expired for an extended period of time, you will not be allowed to transfer your license. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 18 are eligible for a chauffeur license, but they must have completed segments 1 and 2 of driver education and hold a graduated driver license level 2 or 3 license. Ohio driver s license and identification cards, issued prior to july 2, 2018, will not be accepted by the transportation safety administration tsa after october 1, 2020.
Five states michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont, and washington currently offer residents the option of receiving either a standard drivers license or an enhanced drivers license edl. Some states issue an enhanced driver license or identification card that contains an rfid radiofrequency identification chip to assist with rapid identification checks at federal border. This card has been made available as part of the federal real id act. If you are upgrading your standard chauffeur license to the enhanced version, no test is required. A driver s license is an official document, often plastic and the size of a credit card, permitting a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles, such as a motorcycle, car, truck, or bus on a public road in most international agreements the wording driving permit is used, for instance in the vienna convention on road traffic. Nov, 2019 if you live in michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont or washington, you may be wondering if your enhanced drivers license will be accepted at the security checkpoint come october 1, 2020. Beginning june 1, 2009, travelers must present an identity and citizenship document approved under whti to gain reentry into the u. Cross the border with michigans enhanced drivers license. Western hemisphere travel initiative homeland security. Introduction to the michigan enhanced driver s license.
It does claim that it would be an acceptable id to get into mexico and then back in the us. Learn more about enhanced driver licenses and enhanced id cards. I have a passport and passport card for mexico, but neither are with me. Enhanced drivers license edl currently, only a small number of. Enhanced driver s licenses are only valid for land and marine crossings, however, so you will not be able to fly to canada with one. Mexico travel requirements documents for entry to mexico. Aug 10, 2012 an enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport. Edls are also available in several other states and provinces, including ontario. Drivers are normally required to obtain a license from their state of residence and all states recognize each others licenses. Here is an example of the new york enhanced drivers license. Michigan enhanced drivers license now available at every. Enhanced driver license edl what is an enhanced driver license edl.
Feb 08, 2019 enhanced and real ids can be used for domestic flights, entering federal buildings and getting into a military base. Travel to canada with enhanced drivers license and dui. 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. Enhanced driver s license for international travel. Starting in october 2020, enhanced license or real. Youll need whats called a federal real id or an enhanced license if you dont want. Mexico, bermuda and the caribbean nations without the need for a passport or other identification.
Travel to mexico with an enhanced license cancun forum. Texas driver licenses and identification cards do not contain an electronic chip. For example, an edl resembles a passport card in that it. Sos applying for an enhanced drivers license over 18. Second, a michigan enhanced drivers license is also already real. New york dmv get an enhanced driver license edl or real id. The fact that an employee presents or an employer accepts a driver privilege or authorization card that meets form i9 requirements as a list b identity document does not, in and of itself, support a conclusion that the employer had actual or constructive knowledge i. All three will be acceptable for driving purposes, but beginning oct. Why you may need to update your michigan id to travel this year. Applying for an enhanced drivers license over 18, already licensed applying for an enhanced drivers license over 18, already licensed the enhanced drivers license is a costeffective and convenient document that meets driving, identification and bordercrossing needs. If applicable, you may also need to pass an alcohol and drug awareness exam. An enhanced driver s license can be in place of a passport to cross borders to mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, either by land or sea. You cannot leave the usa by air without a passport. I would never take the chance that immigration workers in mexico or any of the other countrys listed would find the enhanced license acceptable even though the webpage says it is.
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. By december 2017, the new credential became available at all service centers throughout florida and online. The enhanced drivers license edl and real id are based on two different congressional mandates with divergent requirements. S border from canada, mexico and some countries in the caribbean. Heres some more basic information, including how to obtain your enhanced license. Aug 24, 2017 note that a real id compliant license and an enhanced driver s license edl are not the same thing. Enhanced driver licenses make border crossing easy the new rules, that seem like they have been coming forever, are finally almost here. Enhanced driver licenses edls are designated as acceptable land and sea bordercrossing documents by dhs under the western hemisphere travel initiative. The final phase of the whti goes into effect june 1, 2009. Practical travel safety and security issues mi enhanced drivers license vs.
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