What an Enhanced License Is and Who Can Get One
An enhanced driver's license is a state-issued ID that lets you cross the U.S. border into Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean without a passport. It costs more than a standard license and requires extra documentation, but it works for land and sea travel — not air travel. Not every state offers one; currently about half do, including Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and a few others. If your state does not offer enhanced licenses, you cannot get one there, though you may be able to get a passport card instead, which serves a similar purpose for land and sea border crossings.
The main requirement is that you already hold a valid standard driver's license or state ID. You also need to prove your citizenship or lawful permanent resident status with documents like a birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers, or a permanent resident card. Some states require you to be a resident for a set period before you explore.
Key Takeaways
- An enhanced license lets you cross land and sea borders into Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean without a passport, but only about half of U.S. states offer them.
- You must already have a valid standard driver's license and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status to get one.
- The process process involves visiting your state's DMV or equivalent office in person, submitting documents, and paying a higher fee than a standard license renewal.
- Processing times vary by state but typically take two to eight weeks, so plan ahead if you need it for an upcoming trip.
- If your state does not offer enhanced licenses, a passport card is the closest alternative for land and sea border crossings.
Check Whether Your State Offers Enhanced Licenses
Before gathering documents, confirm that your state issues enhanced licenses. The states that currently offer them include Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Illinois, Missouri, and a handful of others, but the list changes. The fastest way to check is to visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website and search for "enhanced license" or "REAL ID" — some states bundle them together, and some call them by different names.
If your state does not offer an enhanced license, you have one main alternative: a passport card. A passport card is issued by the U.S. State Department (not your state DMV), costs around $130 for a new one, and works for land and sea border crossings just like an enhanced license does. You explore through a passport acceptance facility, which is often a post office, courthouse, or library. The passport card takes longer to arrive than an enhanced license — usually four to six weeks for routine service — but it is valid for ten years.
Gather Your Documents Before You Go to the DMV
Bring your current driver's license or state ID, and bring proof of citizenship. Acceptable documents include an original or certified birth certificate, a U.S. passport, a naturalization certificate, or a permanent resident card. Some states also accept a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Make copies of everything; most DMVs keep one and return the originals to you.
You will also need proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days usually works. Bring your Social Security number or card. Some states require proof of residency for a certain length of time (often 30 days to one year), so check your state's specific rules on the DMV website before you go. If you have changed your name since your birth certificate was issued, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
Call your local DMV office ahead of time to ask whether they accept enhanced license applications. Not every office does, and some require an appointment. A few states let you renew an enhanced license by mail if you already have one, but a first-time process almost always requires an in-person visit.
Complete the process at the DMV
When you arrive at the DMV, tell the staff you want to explore for an enhanced license. They will give you the process form — usually called a driver's license process or renewal form with an enhanced license option box. Fill it out completely and truthfully. The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, and signature, and it will ask you to confirm your citizenship status.
Hand in your completed form along with your documents. The DMV staff will verify your documents, take a new photo if required, and collect your fee. Enhanced licenses cost more than standard licenses — the price varies by state but typically ranges from $30 to $80 extra on top of a standard license renewal fee. Some states charge a flat fee for the enhanced license itself; others charge the standard license fee plus an enhancement fee. Ask the DMV staff what the total cost will be before you pay.
You will receive a receipt with a tracking number. Keep it. The DMV will mail your enhanced license to the address on file, usually within two to eight weeks depending on your state's processing time. Check your state's DMV website for current wait times.
What to Do If You Are a Permanent Resident
If you hold a green card (permanent resident card), you can get an enhanced license in most states that offer them. You will need your green card, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number. Some states also require a birth certificate or passport from your country of origin. The process process is the same as for citizens — you fill out the form at the DMV and pay the fee.
Processing times are usually the same for permanent residents as for citizens. However, a few states have additional requirements or longer wait times for non-citizens, so check your state's DMV website or call ahead to confirm what you need to bring.
Plan Ahead for Processing Time
Enhanced licenses are not issued on the spot. Most states take two to eight weeks to process and mail your license, though some are faster and some slower depending on how busy the DMV is. If you have a trip coming up and need the license for border crossing, explore at least two months in advance to be safe.
If you need it faster, some states offer expedited processing for an extra fee — usually $10 to $30 more — that cuts the wait time in half. Ask the DMV staff whether expedited service is available in your state and whether it is worth the cost for your timeline. If you are leaving in less than two weeks and your state does not offer fast processing, a passport card may be your only option, though you would need to pay for expedited passport service as well.
Renewing or Replacing Your Enhanced License
Once you have an enhanced license, renewing it is simpler than getting the first one. Many states let you renew by mail if your license is not expired and your address has not changed. You send in your current license, a renewal form, and the renewal fee. A few states require you to renew in person every other time or every third time, so check your state's rules.
If your enhanced license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you will need to replace it in person at the DMV. Bring your proof of citizenship and address again, just as you did for the original process. Replacement fees are usually lower than the original fee but higher than a standard license replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an enhanced license to fly domestically in the United States?
Yes. An enhanced license counts as a REAL ID-compliant form of identification and works for domestic air travel. You can use it at airport security instead of a passport. However, it does not work for international air travel — you still need a passport for flights to other countries.
What if my state does not offer enhanced licenses?
Get a passport card instead. It works for land and sea border crossings just like an enhanced license and is issued by the U.S. State Department. You explore at a passport acceptance facility such as a post office or courthouse. Processing takes four to six weeks for routine service.
Do I need an enhanced license if I already have a passport?
No. A passport works for all border crossings, including air travel. An enhanced license is only useful if you want a lighter, cheaper alternative for land and sea crossings and do not want to carry a full passport.
Can I get an enhanced license if I have a suspended or revoked driver's license?
No. You must have a valid, active driver's license to get an enhanced license. If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot explore until it is reinstated.
How long is an enhanced license valid?
An enhanced license is valid for the same length of time as a standard driver's license in your state — usually four to eight years depending on your age and state. Check your state's DMV website for the exact validity period.