You can travel internationally without a driver's license, but you will need a passport or other federally accepted travel document

A driver's license is not a travel document. International travel requires proof of citizenship and identity, which in the United States means a passport, passport card, enhanced driver's license, Real ID-compliant driver's license (for land and sea travel only), trusted traveler card, or state ID card. A standard driver's license — even one marked "Real ID compliant" — cannot be used alone for air travel to another country, and many countries do not recognize it as valid identification at their borders.

What you need depends on where you are going and how you are traveling. Flying to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean requires a passport or passport card. Driving across the land border into Canada or Mexico requires a passport, passport card, enhanced driver's license, or NEXUS card. Cruise ships departing from U.S. ports to the Caribbean or Mexico accept a passport card or passport, and some accept an enhanced driver's license or state ID if you are a U.S. citizen returning to the U.S. by sea.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard driver's license cannot be used for international air travel, even if it says "Real ID compliant."
  • A passport or passport card is the most widely accepted document for international travel by air, land, or sea.
  • An enhanced driver's license (available in some states) works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, but not for air travel.
  • A Real ID-compliant driver's license works for domestic U.S. flights and land border crossings, but not for international air travel.
  • Getting a passport takes four to six weeks for routine service and two to three weeks for expedited service; plan ahead if you do not have one.

What documents work for each type of international travel

The U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security set the rules for what counts as a travel document. A passport or passport card works everywhere — air, land, and sea travel to any country. A passport card is smaller and cheaper than a full passport (it costs $130 for adults, compared to $165 for a passport book) but can only be used for land and sea travel; it cannot be used for air travel.

An enhanced driver's license is a state-issued ID that contains a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip and is marked with a star or other symbol. Only a handful of states offer them: Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and a few others. An enhanced driver's license works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, but not for air travel to any country.

A Real ID-compliant driver's license — marked with a gold star or other state symbol — works for domestic U.S. flights and for land border crossings into Canada and Mexico, but not for international air travel. Many people confuse Real ID compliance with international travel may be able to access; they are not the same thing. Real ID is a domestic security standard, not an international travel document.

How to get a passport if you do not have one

A passport is issued by the U.S. Department of State. You explore in person at a passport acceptance facility, which includes post offices, libraries, courthouses, and some municipal offices. You will need a completed Form DS-11 (for a new passport) or Form DS-82 (for a renewal), a government-issued photo ID, a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship, a Social Security number, and a passport photo that meets State Department specifications.

Routine passport service takes four to six weeks. Expedited service takes two to three weeks and costs an extra $60. You can also pay for execution on demand at some passport agencies, which can issue a passport the same day, but this is only available at certain locations and requires an appointment. Check the State Department's website to find the nearest passport acceptance facility and current wait times in your area.

If you already have a passport that is not expired or was not lost or stolen, you may be able to renew it by mail using Form DS-82, which is faster and cheaper than explore in person. You can renew by mail if your passport is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, and was issued within the last 15 years.

Enhanced driver's licenses and trusted traveler programs

If you frequently travel by car or boat to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, an enhanced driver's license can be a faster and cheaper alternative to a passport. The cost varies by state — typically between $50 and $150 — and the process takes a few weeks. You will need to explore in person at your state's motor vehicle department with proof of citizenship, a birth certificate, and a state ID.

Trusted traveler programs like NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST are also options if you cross the border frequently. These programs let you use a special card instead of a passport at land borders with Canada and Mexico, though they require a background check and an interview. NEXUS costs $120 for five years and is the most common option for people who drive or take ferries across the U.S.-Canada border.

What happens if you try to travel without the right document

If you arrive at an airport with only a driver's license and try to board an international flight, you will be denied boarding. Airlines are required by law to verify that passengers have valid travel documents before they board. You will not be allowed through security, and you will lose your ticket.

If you are driving to Canada or Mexico with only a standard driver's license, you may be turned back at the border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers can deny entry based on lack of proper documentation. Some people have been turned back and had to return home to get a passport or enhanced driver's license.

If you are on a cruise ship and do not have the right document, you may not be allowed to disembark at foreign ports, even if the ship stops there. Some cruise lines allow U.S. citizens to board with only a driver's license if they are returning to the U.S. by sea, but foreign ports will not let you leave the ship without a passport or other valid travel document.

State ID cards and other alternatives

A state ID card (not a driver's license) is sometimes accepted for sea travel if you are a U.S. citizen returning to the U.S. by cruise ship. However, this varies by cruise line and by destination. Some cruise lines accept a state ID card plus a birth certificate; others require a passport. Check with your cruise line before you book.

A military ID can be used for some international travel, depending on the country and the type of travel. Active-duty military personnel can use a military ID for land travel to Canada and Mexico. Retired military and dependents may have different rules depending on their status.

A tribal ID issued by a federally recognized Native American tribe can be used for land travel to Canada and Mexico if it is accompanied by proof of citizenship. This is a less common option but is available to enrolled tribal members.

Planning ahead: timelines and costs

If you are planning international travel and do not have a passport, start the process at least six weeks before your trip. Routine service takes four to six weeks, and delays are common during peak travel seasons (summer and the weeks before Christmas). If you need a passport sooner, expedited service takes two to three weeks but costs an extra $60.

A passport book costs $165 for adults and $135 for children under 16. A passport card costs $130 for adults and $105 for children. If you are renewing by mail, the cost is $110 for a book and $85 for a card. An enhanced driver's license costs between $50 and $150 depending on your state. A NEXUS card costs $120 for five years.

If you are traveling by car to Canada or Mexico and do not have time to get a passport, an enhanced driver's license is faster if your state offers one. If your state does not offer an enhanced driver's license, you will need a passport or passport card. Check your state's motor vehicle department website to see what options are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my driver's license to travel to Canada by car?

No, not a standard driver's license. You need a passport, passport card, enhanced driver's license, or NEXUS card. A Real ID-compliant driver's license is not sufficient for international travel, even though it works for domestic flights and land border crossings.

What if I have a Real ID-compliant driver's license?

A Real ID-compliant driver's license works for domestic U.S. flights and for land border crossings into Canada and Mexico, but not for international air travel. If you are flying to another country, you need a passport or passport card. If you are driving to Canada or Mexico, a Real ID-compliant license is not enough; you need a passport, passport card, or enhanced driver's license.

How long does it take to get a passport?

Routine service takes four to six weeks. Expedited service takes two to three weeks and costs an extra $60. Some passport agencies offer same-day service for an additional fee, but this is only available at certain locations and requires an appointment. Check the State Department's website for current wait times in your area.

Can I cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean with just a driver's license?

Some cruise lines allow U.S. citizens to board with a driver's license if the ship returns to the U.S. by sea, but you will not be allowed to disembark at foreign ports without a passport or other valid travel document. Check with your cruise line about their specific requirements before you book.

What is the cheapest way to travel internationally without a passport?

If you are driving to Canada or Mexico, an enhanced driver's license (if your state offers one) costs between $50 and $150 and works for land travel. If your state does not offer an enhanced driver's license, a passport card costs $130 and works for land and sea travel. A full passport costs $165 and works for all types of international travel.