Washington has been issuing enhanced driver s licenses ahead of an oct. Every other state may issue a real id act compliant license, which cannot be used by itself for cruising. Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses edls for short are issued using a secure process and include technology to make travel easier. We want washington residents to be ready, and this is a reminder you have one year to look at your identity document options and determine which one best fits your lifestyle, said teresa berntsen, dol. Click a city on the map or the list to find a driver licensing office near you. The department of homeland security dhs and the department of state jointly created the western hemisphere travel initiative whti. Enhanced drivers license edl currently, only a small number of states offer enhanced drivers licenses. Enhanced drivers license eases border crossing for. If your driver license has been expired for an extended period of time, you will not be allowed to transfer your license. An enhanced driver s licence in canadian english, enhanced driver s license edl in u. Driver licensing office holiday hours related information.
The washington enhanced driver s license edl credentials are official identification documents issued by the state department of licensing dol that come with various privileges. If you were born overseas you dont need a birth certificate, you need a. So will dols enhanced driver licenses and enhanced id cards. The enhanced driver license edl or enhanced id card eid confirms your identity and u. A stateissued enhanced drivers license edl provides travelers not only a. Changes coming to washington drivers license to comply with feds. Do you need a passport to travel to canada or mexico.
Residents of british columbia and washington state have several options to cross the border. An enhanced drivers licence in canadian english, enhanced drivers license edl in u. Washington state issues two types of real idcompliant documents. If youre planning to travel a year from now, you may need a new enhanced drivers license or a real id. In washington state, though, officials have given their residents another ticket across the border.
Sep 09, 20 such rfid chips are already being implanted in drivers licenses in four states. Travel to canada with enhanced drivers license and dui. After the deadline, a regular state drivers license in washington wont qualify. A regular drivers license no longer works for those border crossings. Washington residents and drivers also can apply for a washington state identification card and an enhanced drivers license or identification card, which is an acceptable proof of u. Instead, you must apply for a new license, which most likely will require passing a vision test, written exam, and driving test. Sos applying for an enhanced drivers license over 18. 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.
Find out if someone has a valid washington state driver license, permit, or id card, learn how to reinstate your license, or get a copy of your driving record. The fact that an employee presents or an employer accepts a list b identity document such as a driver s license or card that meets form i9 requirements but is a license or card issued by a state that does not require evidence of lawful presence in the united states, does not, in and of itself, support a conclusion that the employer had. Can you fly to mexico using a washington state enhanced drivers license. 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. Proof of citizenship, identity, and residence required to get an edl or eid. Traveling to canada washington state department of. A real id drivers license is pictured in this video still from the new york state dmv. New wa driver license and identification cards youtube.
Here are the differences between the two and what you should know when deciding which option is right for you. Can i use a driver license to drive into mexico or canada. Jan 30, 2020 what is an enhanced driver license edl. And one of the accepted forms is washington states enhanced drivers license edl. 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. May 29, 2018 find out what you need to do to provide proof of citizenship, identity, and residence when applying for an enhanced driver license edl or enhanced id card eid. Application penalty for false statement driving records from and to other. Can i get an enhanced driver license if i have a license from another state but am living in washington while on active military service. 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. In february 2017, washington state began issuing newly designed driver licenses and id cards. Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses edls provide proof of identity and u. This enhanced id credential serves as proof of identity and citizenship, offers standard driving privileges and can be used to travel. They provide travelers with a lowcost, convenient alternative for entering the united states from canada.
The enhanced drivers license provides identification and allows the operation of a motor vehicle access to military bases and other federal facilities and will be accepted at airports for domestic. Real idcompliant driver s licenses have a star in the upper right corner. The technology, supporters say, allows for easier crossings at the borders with mexico and. These cards are made for crossing cross the border faster. If youre planning to travel a year from now, you may need a new enhanced driver s license or a real id. The enhanced drivers license edl is a special driver s license that allows michigan motorists to cross into the u.
Can i cruise to mexico with an enhanced license answers. Dori questions why citizens are hit with the higher price tags to prove their legitimacy, while. Tsa to stop accepting some states drivers licenses in 2018. Upgrade your washington drivers license or you may. Can you fly to mexico with a washington state enhanced. State residents who have never had a washington id card, driver license, instruction permit or enhanced id can begin an application online. The deadline for real id enforcement may seem far away, but if you plan ahead, you won. What you should know about washingtons real id compliance. Feb 17, 2017 in february 2017, washington state began issuing newly designed driver licenses and id cards. Here is an example of the new york enhanced drivers license. Getting an enhanced driver license washington state.
The states of michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont and washington state. Illinois, missouri, new mexico, washington state and american samoa have not moved to make their drivers licenses compliant with. Some commonly needed documents to get an edleid are certified birth certificate, u. Us citizens who are washington state residents are eligible to purchase an enhanced driver license or enhanced id card. Jun 15, 2009 i dont have a passport or passport card, so i applied for an enhanced drivers license and identification card issued by the state department of licensing. Western hemisphere travel initiative homeland security. Washington residents will soon need an enhanced driver s license to get through airport security. 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. If you renew your driver s license more than 60 days late, it will cost you. How to get on a plane when real id is enforced in october. Dedicated approach lane bypasses lineups at the border. A real id driver s license is pictured in this video still from the new york state dmv.
Requirements vary by state, but in all cases you must be a u. How to get the right id for canada trip the seattle times. Some states are offering enhanced drivers licenses, or edls in. The edleid is also an acceptable real id document to use for air travel within the united states.
Well walk you through the basic differences of each of these documents, and help you determine which one is right for you. Enhanced driver s license for international travel. Getting enhanced drivers license takes patience bellingham. This edlid will meet the requirements for proof of citizenship to reenter the us from canada and mexico by land or sea. Secondly, they fit more comfortably in your wallet than a passport book does, so they are more convenient. Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses are acceptable to verify your identity at the tsa checkpoint.
For example, an edl resembles a passport card in that it. Washington will continue to offer two types of driver licenses and ids standard and enhanced. 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. Commercial driver s license additional fee, disposition.
Find out how to get your first washington enhanced driver license or enhanced id card. Washingtons enhanced driver licenses edls and enhanced id eids cards are real id compliant, valid for air travel within the united states, and can be used to cross the borders of canada and mexico by land or sea. 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. Washington state s enhanced driver s licenses and identification cards contain a radio frequency identification tag with a unique reference number issued by u. Steps to getting your edleid wa state licensing dol. If you want an edl for your first wa driver license, you must pass both the knowledge and driving test. New yorks edl is compliant with the western hemisphere travel initiative whti. Citizens are eligible to obtain an enhanced driver license or id. Changes coming to washington drivers license to comply with. Learn how to renew your enhanced driver license or enhanced id card. Yes, enhanced drivers licenses may be used for cruising within the whti but only 5 states currently issue them vermont, ny, washington state, michigan and minnesota. The edl is available from the washington state department of licensing and in many other states.
The state s standard driver s licenses will not be. They provide travelers with a lowcost, convenient alternative for entering the united states from canada, mexico or the caribbean. As the name suggests, an enhanced drivers license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks. Skip to main content for full functionality of our online services like tab renewal, address change, renew your professional license, etc. Learn more about enhanced driver licenses and enhanced id cards. The new cards are aimed at better protecting residents from identity theft. Michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont, and washington. The enhanced drivers license provides identification and allows the operation of a motor vehicle access to military bases and other federal facilities and will be accepted at airports for. I dont have a passport or passport card, so i applied for an enhanced driver s license and identification card issued by the state department of licensing. What kind of identification does a washington resident need to get on a plane. Enhanced drivers license acts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits. Im going to quebec and i need to know if my enhanced drivers license can get me there or is it only for british columbia. Persons with physical or mental disabilities or diseases.
An enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport. United states citizenship, identity, and state residency. Enhanced driver s license edl trusted traveler document such as a nexus card. Also, the enhanced license or id in washington allows residents to cross into canada and mexico. See how to update your address or name on your enhanced driver license id card. The washington enhanced drivers license edl credentials are official identification documents issued by the state department of licensing dol that come with various privileges. This enhanced id credential serves as proof of identity and citizenship, offers standard driving privileges and can be used to travel to the united states by land. Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport. A state issued 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.
If you have an enhanced drivers license, bear in mind that not all border crossings have the capability to read them. Mexico travel requirements documents for entry to mexico. It is a federally approved document that allows you to reenter the u. Please check your local department of licensing for more information. In january 2008, the washington state department of licensing will begin issuing a new enhanced driver license and identification card edlid. This license cannot be used for air travel in any of the above mentioned countries. Find out how to replace your enhanced driver license or enhanced id card if its lost or stolen. Driving without a license traffic infraction, when. Posts about enhanced driver license written by dol blog. 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. Enhanced drivers license for international travel enhanceddriverslicense. Will tsa accept my enhanced drivers licenses at the tsa. Enhanced drivers license first time cruisers cruise. The state will begin marking standard drivers licenses, as well as identification cards.
The states that allow immigrants to get a drivers license regardless of their status are california, nevada, washington, utah, colorado, new mexico, illinois, maryland, rhode island, and vermont. Can i use a driver license to drive into mexico or. Enhanced driver licenses make border crossing easy the new rules, that seem like they have been coming forever, are finally almost here. 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. Note that five states michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont and washington also issue an enhanced driver s license. A committee of the california state legislature killed a plan to place the chips in drivers licenses in the golden state. 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. How do i get a washington enhanced drivers license. Unlike the standard wa dlid, it complies with the new federal real id act regulations that are current. Jan 30, 2017 an enhanced state drivers license may be needed to board an airplane in washington as early as next year. If you dont plan to fly domestically, or already have a passport or one of many other acceptable identity.
What is an enhanced driver license or enhanced id card. In washington state, can an enhanced drivers licence get you. Yes, you must surrender your out of state license, be a resident of washington state, and be able to show us proof of residency and citizenship when you apply. 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. 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. The states of michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont and washington state are currently the only states issuing these enhanced drivers licenses. Jun 01, 2012 if your driver license has been expired for an extended period of time, you will not be allowed to transfer your license. Oct 01, 2019 a washington driver license that is real idcompliant will have the words enhanced driver license across the top of the credential. Washington is moving toward compliance with the real id act of 2005. Your standard drivers license will no longer meet federal. Applying for an enhanced driver license or enhanced id is on a voluntary basis. 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. Drivers license office 3 bel red rd bellevue, wa city.
Make sure you have what youll need when you apply for your enhanced driver license or enhanced id card. You can enter the us from mexico with an enhanced us drivers license, but only if you are traveling by sea or land. 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. The enhanced drivers license provides identification and allows the. As the name suggests, an enhanced driver s license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks. The edlid provides travelers with a low cost, convenient alternate travel document to a passport for entry at land and sea ports between the u. After answering the questions, you will receive a confirmation number to provide when you visit the driver license office. However, you can always get a passport card which is the same size as a drivers license. The enhanced drivers license is a costeffective and convenient document that meets driving, identification and bordercrossing needs. Nov 04, 2012 in washington state, can an enhanced drivers licence get you to quebec. Drivers license chips soon will allow government to track.
Drivers can test for new licenses and renew their current licenses at this bellevue location of the state department of licensing. An enhanced drivers license edl is equivalent to a u. An edl can be used for travel by land or sea between the united states and canada, mexico or the. Changes coming to washington drivers license to comply. First of all, they are cheaper than getting a passport. Example of a washington state enhanced drivers license. The washington state enhanced driver s license id card is basically a dumbeddown mini passport. In the past, it was possible for americans to drive into mexico or canada using only a standard state issued driver license and a birth certificate. Proof of citizenship, identity, social security number, and residence.
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