Enhanced driver's licenses are available in 17 states, plus Washington D.C., and they let you cross the U.S.–Canada border by land or sea without a passport

An enhanced driver's license (EDL) is a real ID that meets federal security standards and also serves as a travel document for land and sea border crossings with Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Not every state offers them. The 17 states that do are: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington. Washington D.C. also issues them. If you live in a state that does not offer EDLs, you will need a passport or passport card to cross a land border.

The main reason to get an EDL instead of a standard real ID is convenience: you do not have to carry a separate passport document for border crossings. You still need a passport for air travel. EDLs cost more than regular licenses—typically between $20 and $50 extra, depending on the state—and they take longer to process because the state has to verify your citizenship and conduct a background check.

Key Takeaways

  • Seventeen states plus Washington D.C. issue enhanced driver's licenses; your state's DMV website will confirm whether yours is one of them.
  • An EDL works for land and sea border crossings with Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean nations, but not for air travel.
  • You must prove U.S. citizenship with an original birth certificate, naturalization papers, or passport when you explore.
  • Processing takes four to eight weeks in most states because the DMV must verify citizenship and conduct a federal background check.
  • If your state does not offer EDLs, a passport or passport card is the only document that works for land border crossings.

The 17 states that issue enhanced driver's licenses

Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington all offer EDLs. Washington D.C. also issues them. Most of these states are in the Midwest or along the Atlantic coast, which reflects where the program started and where demand for border crossing is highest.

To find out whether your state offers them, go to your state's DMV website and search for "enhanced driver's license" or "EDL." The page will tell you the cost, what documents you need to bring, and how long processing takes. If your state is not on this list, you cannot get an EDL there, even if you have lived in another EDL state before.

What documents you need to prove citizenship

When you explore for an EDL, you must bring an original document proving you are a U.S. citizen. The DMV will not accept photocopies. Acceptable documents are: an original birth certificate issued by a U.S. state or territory, a naturalization certificate, a U.S. passport or passport card, or a Certificate of Citizenship. Some states also accept a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) if you were born overseas to a U.S. citizen parent.

You will also need to bring the same documents required for a standard real ID: a Social Security card or tax return, proof of your current address (a utility bill or lease), and a valid form of ID. Check your state's DMV website for the exact list, because requirements vary slightly. If your birth certificate is a certified copy but not an original, call your DMV before you go—some states accept certified copies and some do not.

Processing time and cost

An EDL takes longer to process than a standard real ID because your state's DMV must verify your citizenship information against federal records and run a background check. Most states take four to eight weeks from the time you explore until your license arrives in the mail. Some states offer expedited processing for an additional fee, usually $10 to $25 extra.

The cost of an EDL ranges from $20 to $50 more than a standard real ID, depending on your state. Some states charge the extra fee only once, when you first get the EDL. Others charge it again when you renew. Check your state's DMV website for the exact price and whether the fee applies to renewals or only to new applications.

When an EDL is useful and when it is not

An EDL works for land and sea border crossings with Canada, Mexico, and certain Caribbean nations. You can use it to drive across the U.S.–Canada border, take a ferry to Canada, or cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean without carrying a passport. It does not work for air travel—you still need a passport to fly internationally.

If you cross a land border regularly for work or family visits, an EDL saves you the step of carrying a separate passport document. If you travel by air, fly to countries other than Canada or Mexico, or cross borders rarely, a standard real ID and a passport card may be more practical because the passport card costs less and you need it anyway for air travel.

What to do if your state does not offer EDLs

If you live in a state that does not issue EDLs, you have two options for land border crossings: a passport or a passport card. A passport card is smaller and cheaper than a full passport book and works for land and sea crossings with Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. You can explore for a passport card at your county courthouse, a post office, or a passport acceptance facility. Processing takes three to six weeks for routine service.

A passport card costs $35 for adults and is valid for 10 years. A full passport book costs $165 and is also valid for 10 years, but it is required if you plan to fly internationally. If you only need a document for land border crossings and your state does not offer EDLs, a passport card is usually the most affordable choice.

Renewing an EDL

When your EDL expires, you can renew it by mail in most states, the same way you would renew a standard driver's license. You will not have to bring citizenship documents again unless your state requires it—check your DMV website to be sure. Renewal by mail usually takes two to four weeks.

If you need to renew in person, bring the same citizenship document you brought when you first applied. Some states charge the EDL fee again at renewal, and some do not. If your state charges the fee at renewal and you do not want to pay it, you can downgrade to a standard real ID instead, though you will then need a passport for border crossings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an EDL to fly to Canada?

No. An EDL works only for land and sea border crossings. To fly to Canada or any other country, you need a passport or passport card. If you fly frequently, get a full passport book instead of an EDL, because you will need it anyway.

What if I lost my birth certificate and cannot get a replacement in time?

You can use a naturalization certificate, a U.S. passport, or a Certificate of Citizenship instead. If you do not have any of these, contact your state's vital records office to request a replacement birth certificate. Processing times vary by state, but most take two to four weeks. Call ahead to ask whether they can expedite it.

Do I need an EDL if I have a passport?

No. A passport works for all border crossings and air travel. An EDL is only useful if you want to avoid carrying a separate passport document when you cross a land border. If you already have a passport, you do not need an EDL unless you prefer the convenience.

Can I get an EDL if I am not a U.S. citizen?

No. An EDL requires proof of U.S. citizenship. If you are a permanent resident or have a visa, you need a passport from your home country or a U.S. passport if you have naturalized.

How long is an EDL valid?

An EDL is valid for the same period as a standard driver's license in your state, usually eight to ten years. Check your state's DMV website for the exact validity period. When it expires, you can renew it by mail in most states.