However, if you’ll be visiting our neighbor to the north (or south) for any length of time, it’s safest to travel with your passport. So, if all you need is a WHTI-approved ID for quick excursions on the other side of the border, an EDL may be fine. citizens who are driving or walking to Mexico enter the country at land border crossings if they do not have a U.S. Travelers to Mexico should also note that according to the Department of State: “The Mexican government may not let U.S.
Additionally, if you’re going on a cruise, be aware that even though the EDL is WHTI-compliant, not all cruise lines will accept it without a birth certificate. For this reason, it’s best to also carry a passport book. Even if you’re on a road trip or taking a cruise, you might need to fly home if an emergency arises. To visit those countries, you’ll still need a US Passport.Īlso, remember that all international air travel requires a passport book. However, you should be aware that an EDL cannot be used for travel to countries other than Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean nations included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. If you live in one of those states, should you get an EDL or a passport?Īn EDL will allow you to make quick trips across the border to Canada or Mexico by car or by boat. Which States Offer the Enhanced Drivers License?Ĭurrently, only 5 states offer EDLs: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington.
Read more about the Real ID Act here for details. However, your current driver’s license might not be compliant, especially if it’s been a while since you renewed it. And even states that don’t offer Enhanced Driver’s license now have REAL ID-compliant licenses available. All US passports and Enhanced Driver’s Licenses qualify as REAL IDs. Starting on October 1, 2021, you’ll need a Real ID to take a domestic flight. But remember: neither EDLs nor passport cards can be used for international air travel, even emergency flights home from Canada or Mexico. However, if your state doesn’t offer EDLs, you can always get a passport card, which is the same size as a drivers license. And if you frequently drive across the border, it’s helpful to only need one form of ID for the entire trip. Secondly, it fits more comfortably in your wallet than a passport book does, so it’s more convenient. What are the advantages of having an EDL? First of all, an EDL is cheaper than a passport. US Passports Vs Enhanced Driver’s Licenses Here is an example of the New York Enhanced Drivers License: 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 driver’s license. Some states are offering Enhanced Drivers Licenses, or EDLs, which can also be used for land and sea travel to select international destinations within the Western Hemisphere. You can also get a passport card for land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean.īut if you don’t have either type of passport, you may still be able to travel to these destinations. The federal government offers passport books for all types of travel. ❌ (Only in Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Washington). Land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean? So, should you get a passport book, a passport card, or an enhanced drivers license? The table below summarizes the differences: Type of ID While everyone traveling internationally by plane needs a US passport, land and sea travelers have more options. But you may want to prepare anyway and look into getting a new passport or making sure your current one is up-to-date.Americans traveling to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean by land or sea need an ID that complies with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to return to the United States. If they are not granted by January 22, residents will need a passport to travel on domestic flights.Īll of this means is that it's still too early to tell whether your driver's license will be a valid form of identification on domestic flights, as the TSA is still reviewing most extension requests.
Federal government enhanced drivers license to fly update#
The Department of Homeland Security is currently reviewing those extension requests and will update the TSA webpage as they are granted.Ĭurrently, states like New York, California, and New Jersey are having their extension requests reviewed. The federal government granted extensions to several states in 2016, giving them extra time to comply with the act before the January 2018 enforcement date. Those in blue have been granted extensions that are being reviewed by the Department of Homeland Security. States highlighted in green already comply with the Real ID act.
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