An enhanced driver's license (EDL) is a state-issued driver's license that serves as both a regular driver's license and a limited passport-like identity document. It confirms the holder's identity and U.S. citizenship and is compliant with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). This allows the holder to use the EDL for land and sea travel across the U.S. borders with Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean without needing a passport, though it is not valid for international air travel
. Key features of an enhanced driver's license include:
- Proof of identity and U.S. citizenship.
- Use as a travel document for crossing U.S. borders by land or sea.
- Inclusion of machine-readable technology such as RFID and barcodes for automated identification.
- Compliance with REAL ID standards for domestic air travel and access to federal facilities
EDLs are available in select U.S. states including Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. Eligibility typically requires U.S. citizenship, residency in the issuing state, and meeting standard driver's license requirements
. In summary, an enhanced driver's license is a convenient, low-cost alternative to a passport for certain types of international travel and also serves as a federally accepted form of identification domestically.
