Enhanced driver's licenses (EDLs) are a type of driver's license that allows the holder to cross the border into the United States from Canada, Mexico, or Bermuda without the need for a passport or other travel document.
EDLs are issued by states that have been approved by the Department of Homeland Security to participate in the EDL program. To be eligible for an EDL, applicants must provide proof of identity, citizenship, and residency, and must undergo a background check.
EDLs contain a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip that stores the holder's biographic information and can be read by border officials using an RFID reader. The information stored on the RFID chip is the same as what is printed on the EDL itself.
EDLs are valid for eight years.
What states have EDL licenses?
There are many states that have EDL licenses. Some states require them for certain types of employment, while others make them available as an option for residents. The states that have EDL licenses include:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming Is my Florida drivers license EDL? A Florida drivers license is not an EDL.
What is a New York enhanced driver's license?
An enhanced driver's license (EDL) is a driver's license that has additional security features designed to make it more difficult to forge. The most common security features include a digital photo, a barcode, and a magnetic stripe. EDLs are issued by states that have been approved by the federal government to participate in the EDL program.
EDLs are an alternative to passports for crossing the border into the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. They can also be used for domestic air travel.
To get an EDL, you must provide proof of identity, residency, and U.S. citizenship. You will also need to have your fingerprints and a photo taken. The process for getting an EDL is similar to that of getting a passport.
EDLs cost more than regular driver's licenses, but they are valid for a longer period of time. In New York, EDLs are valid for eight years. What do I need for enhanced driver's license? To get an enhanced driver's license, you will need to bring proof of identity and residency, as well as proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status. You will also need to have your photo taken and pay the required fee.
Why does my driver's license say not for REAL ID purposes?
The REAL ID Act is a federal law that establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production. In order to comply with the REAL ID Act, your state's driver's license must meet certain requirements, including:
- Include a machine-readable zone
- Be issued by a state that participates in the REAL ID program
- Bear a common design
- Include certain security features
- Be produced under secure conditions
If your state's driver's license does not meet all of the REAL ID Act requirements, it will say "Not for REAL ID purposes" on the face of the license. This means that the license cannot be used to board a commercial flight or enter a federal facility. For more information on the REAL ID Act, please visit: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.