Question

What is an enhanced driver’s license?

State-issued enhanced driver’s license (EDL) serves as both a driver’s license and a citizenship and identity proof. EDLs are an affordable and practical choice for entering the US via Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean via land or sea. You can use them instead of a passport at border crossings.  

An enhanced driver’s license is Federal REAL ID compliant. You can use it to board a domestic airplane (inside the US), enter military bases, and some federal facilities. Due to the following factors, EDL makes it simpler for citizens to enter the country from abroad.

• As you approach the border inspection station, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip will signal to retrieve your biographical and biometric information for the CBP officer.
• If RFID isn’t available, the CBP officer can read a barcode or machine-readable zone (MRZ) instead.

Do all states have an enhanced driver’s license?

No, you can currently apply for this license in these five states only.

• Washington
• Vermont
• New York
• Michigan
• Minnesota

How to get an enhanced driver’s license

Where you live determines how to apply for an enhanced driver’s license (EDL). In most participating states, applying for an EDL is similar to applying for a regular driver’s license if you match the residency requirements.

Things to note

• Before getting your license, you must successfully pass the written knowledge and driving skills tests. However, you don’t need to complete a driver’s education if you’re 18 or older. However, we recommend that you do it.
• Suppose you have a valid driver’s license. In that case, you can apply for the EDL after renewing it or extending the expiry date.
• You must provide the required documents that prove your identity, citizenship, residency, and Social Security.
• Present valid and legal proofs if you have changed your name.
• There shouldn’t be any violations, suspensions, revocations, or denials on your driving record that prevent you from driving a vehicle.

Then, have your biometrics and pictures taken and sign the required declaration documents. After applying, you will get a temporary operator’s permit or a temporary enhanced ID. This permit is only good for identification and can’t be used to cross borders.

How much is an enhanced driver’s license?

An EDL costs more than a regular driver’s license. The following are the rates of EDL in different states.

State	License rate
Washington	$113
Vermont	$30
New York	$30 plus the fees for a regular driver’s license
Michigan	$45
Minnesota	$51 in addition to $15 for your Class A driver’s license

How long does it take to get an enhanced driver’s license?

You will receive the license via mail within two to three weeks, which is good for up to four years. The enhanced license usually has the same duration as your standard driver’s license.

Is REAL ID an enhanced driver’s license?

No, REAL ID and EDL aren’t the same. REAL IDs do not require the additional documents that enhanced IDs do, such as citizenship proof, photographic identification proof, and an interview questionnaire at the time of application. Only US citizens can get enhanced IDs.

• You can use REAL IDs to fly on domestic flights and enter nuclear power plants and federal facilities since they meet the security requirements for identification. However, using a valid ID alone won’t let you enter the US by land or sea.
• An enhanced driver’s license is proof of US citizenship. It is more secure than a REAL ID, making travel easier for you. You can also use this ID to enter federal facilities and domestic flights, allowing holders to enter the country by land and sea without a passport.

Do I need an enhanced driver’s license to fly?

From May 7, 2025, all travelers aged 18 and older require a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, a state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another approved ID to fly within the US.