However, the enhanced drivers license states list is limited, and if you would like to travel to other international countries, you will be required. An enhanced version of the 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 is shown here. An enhanced version of the drivers license or identification card that will allow reentry into the united states via land and sea from canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean is shown here. An enhanced driver s licence in canadian english, enhanced driver s license edl in u. Last month, british colombia was the first of the provinces to bring out the enhanced drivers license.
Enhanced drivers license edl department of motor vehicles. Find out if you need a passport book, passport card, or enhanced drivers license. Apr 08, 2019 it serves not only as a real idcompliant driver s license for domestic air travel but it also allows reentry into the u. Residents of new york will need a real id or enhanced id to. Aug 10, 2012 an enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport. Only children under age 16 can present a certified birth certificate when crossing the u. New yorks real id drivers licenses have a star in the upper right corner to indicate that it meets federal regulations that establish minimum security standards.
Enhanced driver license or an enhanced id card edlid applicable to select statesprovinces only, this is different than a real id nexus card if you are not a united states or canadian born citizen you will be required to have a passport and possibly a visa. In the usa, there are real id drivers licenses and enhanced drivers licenses. The enhanced drivers license was specifically introduced for people who want to be able to cross the uscanada border by land and do not want the added expense of buying a passport. Enhanced driver s licenses are available in several states that border canada, including new york, michigan, vermont and washington state. It seems its the much cheaper option than obtaining a passport. Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses edls provide proof of identity and u. It serves not only as a real idcompliant drivers license for domestic air travel but it also allows reentry into the u. Mar 24, 2020 a real id drivers license is pictured in this video still from the new york state dmv.
That said, the law really only sets out what the airlines can use as acceptable id, and doesnt appear to require them to accept all such forms of id. Us passports were previously only required for air travel to these countriespeople traveling by land or sea could simply use their drivers licenses and birth certificates or other proof of citizenship. A passport card, an enhanced drivers license, or a frequent traveler are accepted at land or sea entries. Enhanced driver license edl erie county clerk michael p. New york dmv get an enhanced driver license edl or real id. Enhanced driver s license for international travel. Can you return to the us from canada with only a birth. 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. Is an enhanced driver s license or state id acceptable for domestic air travel. Travel to canada with enhanced drivers license and dui. A real id drivers license is pictured in this video still from the new york state dmv.
New canadian enhanced drivers licenses for us border entry. 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. Jan 30, 2020 what is an enhanced driver license edl. Do i need an enhanced driver s license or state id card if i am traveling to and from canada in my own boat or by ferry. Can i use a driver license to drive into mexico or canada. Is an enhanced drivers license or state id acceptable for domestic air travel. 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. For entry to canada, the western hemisphere travel initiative whti stipulates that all persons entering or reentering the u. Passports in minnesota the main difference between an mn enhanced license and a u. According to the canada border services agency, everyone must have a passport or equivalent documentation such as a nexus card or an enhanced drivers license edl to enter canada by land, sea or air.
Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport. Us passports were previously only required for air travel to these countriespeople traveling by land or sea could simply use their driver s licenses and birth certificates or other proof of citizenship. An enhanced drivers license edl, currently issued by the states of michigan. They provide travelers with a lowcost, convenient alternative to a passport for entering the united states from canada, mexico or the caribbean through a land or. Travelers presenting a real idcompliant drivers license or state identification card are still required to also present proof of citizenship, such as the documents listed above. However, the enhanced drivers license states list is limited, and if you would like to. An enhanced drivers license is allowed to be used as an alternative to a passport for international land and sea travel, but not air travel, to countries that recognize it. Enhanced drivers licenses are available in several states that border canada, including new york, michigan, vermont and washington state. According to the driver and vehicle services division of the minnesota department of public safety, the state currently offers three options for a. But lets first clarify one point the difference between an enhanced license and a realid license. Although, it is strongly suggested all citizens of both canada and the united states carry passports when crossing borders. Like the united states, canada approves use of alternative travel. A stateissued enhanced drivers 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.
With that in mind, it is highly recommended that new yorkers who plan to travel upgrade from a standard drivers license to a real id or enhanced license before the deadline. 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. An enhanced drivers licence in canadian english, enhanced drivers license edl in u. It is a valid whti travel document available in i believe 4 states and 3 provinces. These provinces earlier agreed to make available enhanced documents such as a driver s licence or an identification card that meets the requirements of the western hemisphere travel initiative, allowing canadian citizens to use the identification to facilitate land or water travel between canada and the united states us. Can my cancelled enhanced drivers license cancelled because my name was wrong on it, be used to enter canada and reenter the united states, if my corrected license dose not arrive in time of my planed trip. According to the canada border services agency, everyone must have a passport or equivalent documentation such as a nexus card or an enhanced driver s license edl to enter canada by land, sea or air. If you are planning to travel to canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean, an enhanced driver license edl or an enhanced non driver photo id card endid is an acceptable form of identification to enter the u. 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. For that reason, the tsa, the dhs, airports and travel agents are urging travelers to renew their drivers licenses or state ids early and to be sure to opt for the enhanced or compliant. To reenter the united states through air travel, however. If you are planning to travel to canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean, an enhanced driver license edl or an enhanced nondriver photo id card endid is an acceptable form of identification to enter the u. Americans with an enhanced identification card eic or enhanced drivers license edl from washington state, minnesota, south dakota, michigan, new york, or vermont are allowed to travel to canada without a passport.
The enhanced drivers license edl is a special drivers license that allows michigan motorists to cross into the u. Enhanced minnesota id allows easier travel to canada duluth. When traveling between canada and the united states, it will be necessary to. An enhanced driver s license is allowed to be used as an alternative to a passport for international land and sea travel, but not air travel, to countries that recognize it. The enhanced drivers licence edl was a travel document that acted as proof of identity and citizenship when traveling to the united states by road or water. 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. Its entirely possible that air canadawestjetporter. The arizona travel id is the credential that complies with the federal real id act of 2005. Has anyone had experience crossing the border with an enhanced drivers license. Enhanced drivers license niagara falls forum tripadvisor. For entry to canada, the western hemisphere travel initiative whti. Do i need an enhanced drivers license or state id card if i am going on a cruise. In addition to acting as a drivers license, edls allow travelers to visit neighboring foreign countries, including canada, mexico.
A passport card, an enhanced driver s license, or a frequent traveler are accepted at land or sea entries. What you need as an american to visit canada usa today. Beginning october 1, 2021, every traveler must present a real idcompliant drivers license, stateissued enhanced drivers license, or other acceptable forms of identification, such as a valid passport or u. So it sounds like the law allows for a us drivers license not even an enhanced one to be used as id for a domestic flight within canada. Enhanced driver s license washington is one of four border states approved to issue an enhanced driver s license, which denotes both a persons identity and u. An edl is valid for 8 years, the same as a regular nys drivers license. The enhanced driver license has been available to new york state. The enhanced drivers license will be an optional form of identification. They provide travelers with a lowcost, convenient alternative for entering the united states from canada, mexico or the caribbean. This is a card under the western hemisphere travel initiative whti that has security features and. It is a perfectly acceptable id for crossing the u.
For example, an edl resembles a passport card in that it. Do i need an enhanced driver s license or state id card if i am going on a cruise. Enhanced drivers licenses are only valid for land and marine crossings, however, so you will not be able to fly to canada with one. The card includes machinereadable rfid and barcode for automated identification of the card and its holder. Airports and the tsa are gearing up for the real id deadline. Apr 23, 2019 with that in mind, it is highly recommended that new yorkers who plan to travel upgrade from a standard drivers license to a real id or enhanced license before the deadline. Apr 01, 2010 according to the canada border services agency, everyone must have a passport or equivalent documentation such as a nexus card or an enhanced drivers license edl to enter canada by land, sea or air. So it sounds like the law allows for a us driver s license not even an enhanced one to be used as id for a domestic flight within canada. It is posted on the departments website as a courtesy to stakeholders. Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, enhanced drivers license, or trusted. It is available as both a driver license and identification card. Do you need a passport to travel to canada or mexico. I submitted a request for expedited processing, but was told that there was no guarantee.
The enhanced driver license benefits allow holders to travel to the united states without a passport, drive your motor vehicle within the states and use it for official identification purposes. American citizens traveling by land or sea can also present a valid passport card, enhanced drivers license edl or a trusted traveler program card such as nexus, sentri or fast. If you already have a passport, is there any reason to get an. 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. Do i need an enhanced drivers license or state id card if i am traveling to and from canada in my own boat or by ferry. The enhanced drivers license edl and real id are based on two different congressional mandates with divergent requirements.
If youre planning to travel a year from now, you may need a new enhanced drivers license or a real id. These provinces earlier agreed to make available enhanced documents such as a drivers licence or an identification card that meets the requirements of the western hemisphere travel initiative, allowing canadian citizens to use the identification to facilitate land or water travel between canada and the united states us. Enhanced drivers licenses edls are stateissued identification cards that are issued after an extensive process that includes collecting certain biometric data. It is an optional travel document that also serves as a nys drivers license that will be accepted as an alternative to a passport for all land and sea travel between the united state, canada, mexico, bermuda and the caribbean. An enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport. There is a gold star embedded in the card to show that the cardholder has provided added proof of identification to ensure the license or. As a western hemisphere travel initiativecompliant travel document. As the name suggests, an enhanced driver s license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks. Review the complete list of acceptable identification. Can i use my michigan enhanced drivers license to get into. 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. As the name suggests, an enhanced drivers license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks. There is nothing an enhanced driver license can do that a passport cannot. This license acts as a substitute for passports when entering into the us via land or water you still require a passport at the airport.
Us travel document requirements have changed for americans traveling to canada, mexico or the caribbean by land or sea. Americans with an enhanced identification card eic or enhanced drivers license edl from washington state, minnesota, south dakota, michigan, new york. Enhanced drivers license first time cruisers cruise. Enhanced drivers license washington is one of four border states approved to issue an enhanced drivers license, which denotes both a persons identity and u.
How to get the right id for canada trip the seattle times. There is a gold star embedded in the card to show that the cardholder has provided added proof of identification to ensure the license or id meets strict federal requirements. Enhanced drivers licence edl and enhanced identification. Maine s real idcompliant credential is not an enhanced id or license. 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.
New yorks edl is compliant with the western hemisphere travel initiative whti. 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. 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. Ohio licenses would make travel to canada and mexico easier. The latter are only issued in vermont, new york, michigan and washington, and they also count as real id licenses. Its entirely possible that air canada westjetporter.
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