They provide travelers with a lowcost, convenient alternative for entering the united states from canada, mexico or the caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in. Can i use a driver license to drive into mexico or canada. English, or enhanced id in other common usage, is a card which functions both as driving licence and id card with limited passport features issued in some provinces in canada, in some states in the united states, and for the people who are both citizens of the country and residents in the relevant region. Enhanced drivers licence edl and enhanced identification. It seems its the much cheaper option than obtaining a passport but obviously we dont want any hassles when we arrive. An enhanced driver s licence in canadian english, enhanced driver s license edl in u. This edlid will meet the requirements for proof of citizenship to reenter the us from canada and mexico by land or sea. Us citizens who are washington state residents are eligible to purchase an enhanced driver license or enhanced id card.
A manitoba edl or eic is an acceptable document to present for entry at all land and water border crossings from canada into the united states and vice versa, including border crossings outside manitoba. Enhanced security features government of nova scotia, canada. Enhanced drivers licence edl and enhanced identification card eic programs this section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by immigration, refugees and citizenship canada staff. Mar 24, 2020 the real id, or real id, was created in 2005 to increase federal security measures after the terrorist attacks on sept. Citizenship and immigration canada cic has worked closely with the canada border services agency cbsa to support interested provinces and territories in the development and implementation of the enhanced drivers licence edl andor the enhanced identification card eic. Can you get into canada with the new enhanced drivers. An enhanced drivers licence in canadian english, enhanced drivers license edl in u. It is posted on the departments website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Electronic communication devices makes it a class c felony to intentionally read, capture, or possess information from a persons enhanced driver license id card without that persons knowledge or consent. A stateissued enhanced driver s license edl provides travelers not only a license to drive but also a proof of identity and citizenship when exiting and reentering the united states borders. Ohio licenses would make travel to canada and mexico easier. New york dmv get an enhanced driver license edl or real id. When traveling between canada and the united states, it will be necessary to. A stateissued enhanced drivers license edl provides travelers not only a license to drive but also a proof of identity and citizenship when exiting and reentering the united states borders. Toronto ontario is proposing to eliminate an enhanced drivers licence that allows people to enter the united states at land and water border crossings without a passport. Has anyone had experience crossing the border with an enhanced driver s license. The enhanced drivers license was specifically introduced for people who want to be able to cross the uscanada border by land and do not want the added expense of buying a passport. For entry to canada, the western hemisphere travel initiative whti stipulates that all persons entering or reentering the u.
The enhanced drivers license is a costeffective and convenient document that meets driving, identification and bordercrossing needs. Learn how to apply for an enhanced licence edl, enhanced id card eic or bcid. Canada never mandated passports for overland travel from the us. To apply for an enhanced drivers license edl, permit or nondriver id endid, applicants must go to a new york dmv location and perform the procedure in person. This license acts as a substitute for passports when entering into the us via land or water you still require a passport at the airport. Ontario is proposing to eliminate an enhanced driver s licence that allows people to enter the united states at land and water border crossings without a passport. Regardless of whether you are using a us passport or enhanced driver s license to cross the canadian border, a dui or dwi can make you inadmissible to the country and cause you to be denied entry at the border.
A class d license is a regular drivers license required to operate a vehicle weighing 26,000 pounds or less. The enhanced drivers license edl is a special driver s license that allows michigan motorists to cross into the u. These provinces earlier agreed to make available enhanced documents such as a driver s licence or an identification card that meets the requirements of the western hemisphere travel initiative, allowing canadian citizens to use the identification to facilitate land or water travel between canada and the united states us. It is a valid whti travel document available in i believe 4 states and 3 provinces. English, or enhanced id in other common usage, is a card which. An enhanced license permit, or nondriver id is a new york state dmv issued document that you can use instead of a passport to return to the us by land or sea from canada, mexico and some countries in the caribbean. The process to get a drivers licence in canada depends on the province or territory where you live and on your driving background. See how to update your address or name on your enhanced driver license id card. These states all border canada, and see a lot of land traffic across the border. However, to go back into the usa, you need the passport, enhanced driver s licence, or nexus card.
Five states michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont, and washington currently offer residents the option of receiving either a standard drivers license or an enhanced drivers license edl. Ontario plans to eliminate enhanced drivers licences. Citizenship and immigration canada cic has worked closely with the canada border services agency cbsa to support interested provinces and territories in the development and implementation of the enhanced driver s licence edl andor the enhanced identification card eic. New alberta drivers licences, id cards with enhanced. New yorks edl is compliant with the western hemisphere travel initiative whti. A manitoba edl or eic is an acceptable document to present for entry at all land and water border crossings from canada into the united states and vice versa. The new drivers licence and photo id cards have design and security features to help prevent identity theft and fraud. New canadian enhanced drivers licenses for us border entry.
Ontario is proposing to eliminate an enhanced drivers licence that allows people to enter the united states at land and water border crossings without a passport. Motorists who want to obtain a dmv enhanced license in new york are required to perform certain application procedures in order to receive the credential. Enhanced drivers license edl department of motor vehicles. May 14, 2019 ontario is proposing to eliminate an enhanced drivers licence that allows people to enter the united states at land and water border crossings without a passport. Does the gold star on a florida drivers license allow me to. The enhanced drivers licence edl was a travel document that acted as proof of identity and citizenship when traveling to the united states by road or water. New drivers licenses for us entry last month, british colombia was the first of the provinces to bring out the enhanced drivers license. The enhanced drivers licence was developed by the ontario government, in consultation with the government of canada and united states government, as a passport alternative for ontarians who are canadian citizens to use when entering the u.
New canadian enhanced drivers licenses for us border. The provinces use a gdl graduated driver licensing system for a standard car and lighttruck licence to ensure the proficiency of drivers. Ohio licenses would make travel to canada and mexico. If you plan to use a foreign drivers licence in canada, you should get an international driving permit idp in your home country. Whti requirements the enhanced drivers licence edl and the enhanced identification card eic. Crossing land borders with an enhanced drivers license instead of a passport. Jan 30, 2020 an enhanced license permit, or non driver id is a new york state dmv issued document that you can use instead of a passport to return to the us by land or sea from canada, mexico and some countries in the caribbean. What is an enhanced driver license or enhanced id card. Ontario plans to eliminate enhanced drivers licences used at. The new design includes updated security features such as clear windows, laser engraving and 3d. If you want an edl for your first wa driver license, you must pass both the knowledge and driving test if you already have a valid driver license from wa or another state, you dont need to pass the knowledge or driving test unless you have a medical or physical condition that indicates testing is required. Americans with an enhanced identification card eic or enhanced drivers license edl from washington state, minnesota, south dakota, michigan, new. Does the gold star on a florida drivers license allow me. Do i need to pass the knowledge or driving tests to get an enhanced driver license.
What you need to know if you have a valid edl, you can use it until it is expired or needs to be replaced. You may apply for other travel documents, such as a. Its convenient, inexpensive and gives you access to a. Enhanced drivers licence enhanced identification card. Why to keep enhanced drivers license for real id purposes. With it you can enter the united states by land or sea from canada, mexico, or the caribbean without needing any other proof of identification. The enhanced driver s license is a costeffective and convenient document that meets driving, identification and bordercrossing needs. An enhanced drivers license edl in minnesota is a credential that motorists can apply for in order to get additional benefits that a regular drivers license does not offer. Minnesota residents may obtain either an enhanced license or an enhanced id eid card through the division of driver and vehicle services dvs of the minnesota department of public safety mn dps.
The enhanced drivers license edl is a special drivers license that allows michigan motorists to cross into the u. Enhanced driver license of other provinces of canada. Can i use my michigan enhanced drivers license to get into. Jun 06, 2018 the alberta government has rolled out a new design for drivers licences and identification cards. Here is an example of the new york enhanced drivers license. Enhanced drivers license washington is one of four border states approved to issue an enhanced drivers license, which denotes both a persons identity and u. In the past, it was possible for americans to drive into mexico or canada using only a standard stateissued driver license and a birth certificate.
Regardless of whether you are using a us passport or enhanced drivers license to cross the canadian border, a dui or dwi can make you inadmissible to the country and cause you to be denied entry at the border. The notable exception is alberta, where a learners permit may be obtained at 14 years of age. An enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport. Dec 25, 2018 yes, but you can also drive into canada with just a regular drivers license with a picture on it and a birth certificate. Yes, but you can also drive into canada with just a regular drivers license with a picture on it and a birth certificate. Travel to canada with enhanced drivers license and dui. A us passport, passport card, enhanced driver license or an enhanced id card edlid is required to cross the uscanadian border by land and sea. Ontario plans to eliminate enhanced drivers licences used. The latter are only issued in vermont, new york, michigan and washington, and they also count as real id licenses. For example, an edl resembles a passport card in that it. Changeable laser image feature that enables two or more images to occupy the same area polycarbonate card body more durable, secure and. Sos applying for an enhanced drivers license over 18. Has anyone had experience crossing the border with an enhanced drivers license.
Passports in minnesota the main difference between an mn enhanced license and a u. The real id, or real id, was created in 2005 to increase federal security measures after the terrorist attacks on sept. An idp will give you a translation of your licence into french and english. Learn more about enhanced driver licenses and enhanced id cards. This is a card under the western hemisphere travel initiative whti that has security features and technology that make travel a lot easier and safer. May 07, 2020 the enhanced drivers licence edl was a travel document that acted as proof of identity and citizenship when traveling to the united states by road or water. Its convenient, inexpensive and gives you access to a faster ready lane at certain border crossing points. Some states offer 3 varieties and depending on ones travel choices, could have a deadline of october 1, 2020. Get an enhanced driver license edl or real id new york dmv.
Ontario to eliminate enhanced drivers licences used at. May 14, 2019 traffic makes its way to ambassador bridge that connects canada to the united states windsor ont. Canada s driving age is determined on a provincebyprovince basis. Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses edls provide proof of identity and u. Alberta class 5 drivers license authorizes the holder to drive the list of vehicles mentioned below. In the usa, there are real id drivers licenses and enhanced drivers licenses. Enhanced drivers licenses are only valid for land and marine crossings, however, so you will not be able to fly to canada with one. By using this facility alberta drivers license holder can apply for the update or edit or change their personal information like name, date of birth and address which is. The provinces use a gdl graduated driver licensing system for a standard car and lighttruck licence to ensure the proficiency of. Manitobas enhanced drivers licence edl and enhanced. As the name suggests, an enhanced drivers license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks.
Aug 10, 2012 an enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport. Find out how to replace your enhanced driver license or enhanced id card if its lost or stolen. Canadas driving age is determined on a provincebyprovince basis. May 14, 2019 toronto ontario is proposing to eliminate an enhanced driver s licence that allows people to enter the united states at land and water border crossings without a passport. However, to go back into the usa, you need the passport, enhanced drivers licence, or nexus card. Traffic makes its way to ambassador bridge that connects canada to the united states windsor ont. See how to update your address or name on your enhanced driver licenseid card. Driver license if you dont intend to fly, enter certain federal facilities, military bases, or nuclear power plants. Enhanced drivers license niagara falls forum tripadvisor. The expiry date is on the front of your edl other travel documents. If you have a valid edl, you can use it until it is expired or needs to be replaced.
The alberta government has rolled out a new design for drivers licences and identification cards. These provinces earlier agreed to make available enhanced documents such as a drivers licence or an identification card that meets the requirements of the western hemisphere travel initiative, allowing canadian citizens to use the identification to facilitate land or water travel between canada and the united states us. An enhanced license permit, or nondriver id is a new york state dmv issued. An enhanced license permit, or non driver id is a new york state dmv issued document that you can use instead of a passport to return to the us by land or sea from canada, mexico and some countries in the caribbean. The province of british columbia and the insurance corporation of british columbia icbc, in cooperation with the canada border services agency cbsa and citizenship and immigration canada cic, are developing an optional enhanced drivers licence edl that will authorize holders to drive and could serve as an alternative to a passport for entry by land or water into the united states. 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 drivers license. Apply for an enhanced licence, enhanced id card or bcid.
A class d license is a regular driver s license required to operate a vehicle weighing 26,000 pounds or less. Last month, british colombia was the first of the provinces to bring out the enhanced drivers license. Ontario is proposing to eliminate an enhanced drivers licence that. The department of homeland security dhs and the department of state jointly created the western hemisphere travel initiative whti, a new system that they claim allows the government to keep a closer eye on who is crossing. Changing to an enhanced drivers licence is completely voluntary. Enhanced driver s licenses are only valid for land and marine crossings, however, so you will not be able to fly to canada with one.
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