If you’re heading down to your local DMV office to get your driver’s license sorted, you might have heard this thing called an ‘Enhanced Driver’s License’. So, you might be wondering, what is an Enhanced Driver’s License, and how does it compare to a “regular” driver’s license? Well, it’s not super straightforward from the get-go, but there are a lot of differences and benefits between your normal driver’s license, and an Enhanced Driver’s License (aka an ‘EDL’).
On the face of it, an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) is issued by a state government in the US, which functions just like a regular driver’s license – i.e. legally allowing you to operate a motor vehicle – but it also doubles as identification. In short, an EDL could be used as proof of identity and to verify your citizenship status. Plus, EDLs have more security features, such as machine-readable zone (MRZ) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), which are great for streamlining the identity verification process when you’re crossing the border.
So, here’s what you need to know about the Enhanced Driver’s License:
1) Why Should You Get An Enhanced Driver’s License?
If you’re wondering about whether or not you should get an EDL, if you’re regularly crossing a border in and out of the US, it is handy to have one. An Enhanced Driver’s License is basically designed for US citizens who frequently travel across borders, and are acceptable documents for re-entry into the United States, either by land or sea. Specifically, EDLs are accepted by the border authorities in Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries, in accordance with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
As mentioned earlier, EDLs combine the privileges of a regular driver’s license – essentially, the ability to drive legally on public roads – with added border-crossing identification. For me, they are a really convenient, multi-purpose form of identity verification, so you won’t have to carry multiple documents when traveling by land or sea. Granted, I’d still recommend bringing your other identity papers with you, just in case – not a bad idea to have spares, after all!
One important thing to bear in mind is that not all states offer EDLs. The select few states that offer Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (more on this below) include Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. When you’re applying for an EDL, it’s worth noting that every state has its own, established criteria and processes for issuing Enhanced Driver’s Licenses. So, you do have to provide different types of documentation and account for residency requirements.
2) Benefits Of Having An Enhanced Driver’s License
There are a lot of upsides to applying for an Enhanced Driver’s License, if you’re able to, which includes (but not limited to):
- Alternative to a passport (by land and sea) – Again, it’s always a good idea to keep a passport with you when you’re traveling (especially by air), but for US citizens who live near US borders and want to travel frequently to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean, it can be useful.
- Cost-effective identification – Compared to getting a US passport, applying for an EDL is much cheaper. As such, it’s an economical alternative if you don’t plan on traveling internationally by air, so it’s great for folks who frequently travel cross-border.
- Simplified identity documentation – With an EDL (wherever applicable), you don’t have to carry multiple forms of documentation when you’re traveling cross-border. This has the added benefit of not having to worry too much if you lose your passport and simplify your prep work.
- Enhanced security and fraud protection – Since EDLs have RFID and MRZ technology, this adds an extra layer of security, which makes it harder for bad actors to tamper or counterfeit them. This might also help with passing through border security personnel, too.
- Compliance with existing federal regulations – Best of all, EDLs are compliant with the WHTI – or the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative – a program designed to improve border security while traveling into the US by US citizens, and is accepted by the federal government.
3) Eligibility Requirements To Apply For An EDL
If you’re thinking about applying for an EDL with your home state’s government, there are a handful of eligibility requirements that you need to pass, mainly:
- Only US citizens are allowed to apply for an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), so you’ll have to provide proof of citizenship during the application process. This can either be done using your birth certificate, a valid US passport, or naturalization documents.
- Moreover, if you want to apply for an EDL within a specific state, you need to prove that your residency is in that same state that’s issuing the Enhanced Driver’s License. Proof of residency includes your state-issued ID, utility bills, or other documents that prove your residency.
- When you’re applying for an EDL, you’ll also have to provide additional proof of identity. This will differ from state to state, but they might include your driver’s license, state ID card, your Social Security Number, a W-2 form, or your pay stub, among others.
- On top of that, some states might require that you provide driving-related requirements. These may include having a clean driving record and no suspensions, revocations, or cancellation of your driving privileges at any point. So, make sure you check with your local DMV office.
4) Application Process, Validity, And Renewals
If you want to apply for an EDL – assuming your home state offers one – here’s what you need to do:
- You have to go in person to a DMV office, and given that you have to verify your identity and other personal documents, it can’t be done via mail or online.
- The DMV staff will then ask that you hand over the necessary documents – like the ones that I mentioned earlier – and they have to be original, as photocopies aren’t allowed.
- Typically, most states also require that you undergo a vision test since the EDL also doubles as a driver’s license, and they might take your picture, and other specific steps.
- In some states, fingerprinting and background checks might also be required to verify who you are and make sure that you don’t have any active criminal records.
- Once all that is done, you then have to pay for the EDL, where the specific fees vary from state to state. In general, though, EDLs typically cost $30 to $50 more than a regular license.
If you’re wondering about the validity period, an Enhanced Driver’s License is the same as a regular driver’s license, in that it’s valid from 4 to 8 years, depending on the state. I’d suggest that you check with the local DMV office to make sure. When you need to renew an EDL, they follow the same process as a regular driver’s license, too. However, EDLs normally need to be done physically at the DMV office, and some states also send renewal reminders to be sure.
5) Which States Do Or Don’t Issue EDLs
If you want to know whether or not your home state issues EDLs, I’ve compiled this quick and dirty table to help you out:
| State | Offers An EDL |
|---|---|
| Alabama | No |
| Alaska | No |
| Arizona | No |
| Arkansas | No |
| California | No |
| Colorado | No |
| Connecticut | No |
| Delaware | No |
| Florida | No |
| Georgia | No |
| Hawaii | No |
| Idaho | No |
| Illinois | No |
| Indiana | No |
| Iowa | No |
| Kansas | No |
| Kentucky | No |
| Louisiana | No |
| Maine | No |
| Maryland | No |
| Massachusetts | No |
| Michigan | Yes |
| Minnesota | Yes |
| Mississippi | No |
| Missouri | No |
| Montana | No |
| Nebraska | No |
| Nevada | No |
| New Hampshire | No |
| New Jersey | No |
| New Mexico | No |
| New York | Yes |
| North Carolina | No |
| North Dakota | No |
| Ohio | No |
| Oklahoma | No |
| Oregon | No |
| Pennsylvania | No |
| Rhode Island | No |
| South Carolina | No |
| South Dakota | No |
| Tennessee | No |
| Texas | No |
| Utah | No |
| Vermont | Yes |
| Virginia | No |
| Washington | Yes |
| West Virginia | No |
| Wisconsin | No |
| Wyoming | No |