Aug 22, 2014 an enhanced license is a license with photo identification that is used to pass check points in security at airports. Consider renewing early if you want to have a driver license or identification card that is federally compliant. Western hemisphere travel initiative homeland security. 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. Travel to mexico with an enhanced license cancun forum. Applying for an enhanced driver s license over 18, already licensed information about upgrading a michigan or outofstate license to an enhanced license. Beginning june 1, 2009, travelers must present an identity and citizenship document approved under whti to gain reentry into the u. Enhanced drivers license first time cruisers cruise.
Changes coming to washington drivers license to comply. If applicable, you may also need to pass an alcohol and drug awareness exam. Aug 10, 2012 an enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport. An enhanced drivers license edl is equivalent to a u. The enhanced drivers license edl is a special drivers license that allows michigan motorists to cross into the u. 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. 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. In the united states, driver s licenses are issued by each individual state, territory, and the district of columbia rather than by the federal government due to federalism. Enhanced drivers license what is an enhanced drivers license. Beginning may 2019, the department began issuing modified credentials removing. Enhanced driver s license for international travel. The global entry ge card is only an entry document and may not be used to enter canada, mexico or adjacent island.
Michigan to offer enhanced drivers license for trips to. An enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport. Drivers are normally required to obtain a license from their state of residence and all states recognize each others licenses. Is it just as good or has anyone had problems getting through customs to andor from the us. You will need to pass driving, written knowledge, and vision tests, and pay the appropriate fees. The final phase of the whti goes into effect june 1, 2009. 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. 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. Enhanced drivers license and state identification card. An enhanced drivers license or edl serves as both a drivers license and an identification card that proves citizenship for certain purposes. Washington state issues enhanced driver s licenses only. 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. 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.
Why to keep enhanced drivers license for real id purposes. Here is an example of the new york enhanced drivers license. An edl is a chipped credential that can access an individuals biographic and biometric data. Enhanced driver licenses edls are designated as acceptable land and sea bordercrossing documents by dhs under the western hemisphere travel initiative. Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport. 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. The enhanced drivers license is a costeffective and convenient document that meets driving, identification and bordercrossing needs. 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.
If you already have a driver s license, whether it be from michigan or another u. Practical travel safety and security issues mi enhanced drivers license vs. 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. All three will be acceptable for driving purposes, but beginning oct. 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. 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. Michigan enhanced drivers license now available at every. What is the western hemisphere travel initiative whti and how does it affect me. Learn more about enhanced driver licenses and enhanced id cards. 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. Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses are acceptable to verify your identity at the tsa checkpoint.
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. Heres some more basic information, including how to obtain your enhanced license. 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. Edls are also available in several other states and provinces, including ontario. See how to update your address or name on your enhanced driver license id card. 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.
Will the oregon real id license be an enhanced driver license. New wa driver license and identification cards youtube. Cross the border with michigans enhanced drivers license mlive. 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. Current status of statesterritories homeland security. 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. It is a federally approved document that allows you to reenter the u. There is a gold star embedded in the card to show that the cardholder has provided added proof of identification to ensure the license.
Find out your new states requirements for transferring teen driver licenses. Mexico travel requirements documents for entry to mexico. An edl can be used for travel by land or sea between the united states and canada, mexico or the. Edls have different issuance and card requirements, such as rfid chips. Secretary of state trying to clear confusion about real id arenac. The new licenses will feature a gold star in the upper righthand corner or an american flag on michigan enhanced driver s licenses. The final step of the edl application process requires applicants to submit payment for the corresponding fees to the mi sos branch. An enhanced drivers license edl serves as both a drivers license and bordercrossing card. 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. 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. Michigan, vermont and minnesota offer enhanced drivers licenses that. It does claim that it would be an acceptable id to get into mexico and then back in the us. Passport card originally posted by sqfreak previously, the governments had mutually agreed that a photo id and a birth certificate were sufficient.
Michigan enhanced drivers license secretary of states office. Each state is having to produce the real id drivers licenses and state ids for people. 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. Cross the border with michigans enhanced drivers license. While showing your state issued drivers license used to be sufficient to gain entry into.
It is available as both a driver license and identification card. Enhanced drivers license edl department of motor vehicles. Only an enhanced license or passport can be used to cross the u. Aug 24, 2017 note that a real id compliant license and an enhanced driver s license edl are not the same thing. May 10, 2009 it wasnt exactly the border between canada and the u. Travel to canada with enhanced drivers license and dui. The following is a list of the current status of each stateterritory. Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses edls provide proof of identity and u. New york dmv get an enhanced driver license edl or real id. 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. 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.
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. 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 enhanced driver license edl or enhanced id card eid confirms your identity and u. An enhanced driver s licence in canadian english, enhanced driver s license edl in u. Secretary of state trying to clear confusion about real id ogemaw. You cannot leave the usa by air without a passport. Why you need an enhanced drivers license now more than ever. Introduction to the michigan enhanced driver s license. By december 2017, the new credential became available at all service centers throughout florida and online. Learn more about enhanced and real ids the learner permit is the first step in getting a ny state license or cdl. The arizona travel id is the credential that complies with the federal real id act of 2005. Feb 08, 2019 enhanced and real ids can be used for domestic flights, entering federal buildings and getting into a military base. 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. Enhanced driver license edl what is an enhanced driver license edl.
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. Do i need to pass the knowledge or driving tests to get an enhanced driver license. Second, a michigan enhanced drivers license is also already real. Applying for your ak driver s license must be done in person at a dmv office. 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.
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. It is available through the michigan secretary of states office to michigan residents who are also u. For example, an edl resembles a passport card in that it. An enhanced license contains personal background information stored in a chip. If you are upgrading your standard chauffeur license to the enhanced version, no test is required. Can i use a driver license to drive into mexico or. Youll need whats called a federal real id or an enhanced license if you dont want. Michigan, vermont, minnesota, and new york states issue real id and stateissued enhanced driver s licenses, both of which are acceptable. How many have traveled to mexico with an enhanced drivers license verses a passport. Documents required for an enhanced license or id you must present specific documentation to obtain a michigan enhanced driver s license. Find out how to replace your enhanced driver license or enhanced id card if its lost or stolen.
Enhanced drivers license edl currently, only a small number of. The enhanced driver license has been available to new york state residents. Stateissued enhanced driver s licenses do not have a star on the top of the card. Enhanced driver licenses make border crossing easy the new rules, that seem like they have been coming forever, are finally almost here. Mexico, bermuda and the caribbean nations without the need for a passport or other identification.
Real id, enhanced driver s licenses in new york state. Jan 21, 2019 the popular new michigan enhanced driver s licenses substitutes for a passport for travel. 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. Starting in october 2020, enhanced license or real. 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. The department of homeland security dhs and the department of state jointly created the western hemisphere travel initiative whti. An enhanced driver s license edl in michigan is a special type of driving credential that enables motorists to reenter the u. What is the michigan enhanced driver s license edl.
The enhanced drivers license edl is a special driver s license that allows michigan motorists to cross into the u. 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. Will tsa accept my enhanced drivers licenses at the tsa. Instead, you must apply for a new license, which most likely will require passing a vision test, written exam, and driving test. 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. Enhanced an enhanced license, permit, or non driver id can be used. Why you may need to update your michigan id to travel this year. The enhanced driver licenses and enhanced id cards edlseids can be used for all federal. Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, enhanced drivers license, or trusted traveler program card nexus, sentri or fast. 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. Make sure you have the correct documents before visiting a secretary of state office. If you want an edl for your first wa driver license, you must pass both the knowledge and driving test. Sos applying for an enhanced drivers license over 18.
If your driver license has been expired for an extended period of time, you will not be allowed to transfer your license. To ensure your application process is as smooth as possible, remember. S border from canada, mexico and some countries in the caribbean. 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. The final step of the application procedure for a minnesota enhanced drivers license or id card is to pay the applicable fees. Jul 03, 2015 enhanced drivers licenses, which demonstrate us citizenship, can be used for real id purposes. Get an enhanced drivers license when you go to renew your regular drivers license. Why you might need to get a new michigan drivers license. The enhanced drivers license is a costeffective and convenient document that.
The main difference applies when reentering the us by land or sea. There is no extra fee to get a real idcompliant license. Texas driver licenses and identification cards do not contain an electronic chip. As the name suggests, an enhanced driver s license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks. The enhanced drivers license edl and real id are based on two different congressional mandates with divergent requirements. An enhanced license or state id card issued in michigan is accepted at any u. I just read the nys enhance license page that pcsanity posted the link for. Introduction to the michigan enhanced drivers license. 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 a passport and passport card for mexico, but neither are with me. The enhanced drivers license cost is predetermined by the mi sos.
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