Florida does not issue enhanced driver's licenses

Florida stopped issuing enhanced driver's licenses in 2009 and does not currently offer them. An enhanced driver's license (EDL) is a special form of identification that meets federal Real ID standards and also allows you to cross the U.S. border into Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean by land or sea without a passport. Only a handful of states still issue them — currently Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont.

If you live in Florida and need to cross a land or sea border, you will need either a passport, a passport card, or a NEXUS card instead. For domestic air travel and federal building entry, a standard Florida driver's license that meets Real ID requirements works just fine.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida discontinued enhanced driver's licenses in 2009 and has no plans to reissue them.
  • Only five states currently issue enhanced driver's licenses: Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont.
  • For border crossing by land or sea, Florida residents need a passport, passport card, or NEXUS card instead.
  • A standard Florida Real ID-compliant driver's license is sufficient for domestic flights and federal building access.

What an enhanced driver's license actually does

An enhanced driver's license combines two functions: it meets the federal Real ID standard for domestic travel and federal building entry, and it also serves as a travel document for land and sea border crossings. The Real ID part is now standard on most state driver's licenses. The border-crossing part is what made the EDL special — it let you cross into Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and some Caribbean nations without carrying a passport.

The federal government created the Real ID standard after 2001 to set minimum security requirements for state-issued IDs. Most states incorporated Real ID into their regular driver's licenses rather than creating a separate enhanced version. Florida took that approach and never brought back the EDL option.

Why Florida stopped issuing enhanced driver's licenses

Florida's enhanced driver's license program ended in 2009 due to low demand and the cost of maintaining a separate system. Very few Floridians were using the EDL for border crossing — most people who travel internationally either already have a passport or prefer to carry one. The state decided it made more sense to focus resources on the standard Real ID-compliant license that serves the vast majority of residents.

The five states that still issue EDLs do so because they have higher volumes of residents who cross land borders regularly, particularly Washington and Michigan, which border Canada. For Florida, with its ocean borders and tourist-heavy population, a passport or passport card remains the practical choice for international travel.

What you need instead for border crossing

If you are a Florida resident who needs to cross a land or sea border, you have three main options. A U.S. passport works for any border crossing and is valid for 10 years (or 5 years if you are under 16). A passport card is smaller, cheaper, and valid for 10 years, but it only works for land and sea crossings — you cannot use it for air travel to other countries. A NEXUS card is a trusted traveler program card that speeds up border processing if you cross frequently; it costs $120 and is valid for five years, but you must explore in person at a NEXUS enrollment center.

For most Florida residents, a passport card is the simplest choice if you cross a border occasionally by car or cruise ship. If you fly internationally, you need a full passport regardless. You can explore for either at your local county clerk's office, post office, or passport acceptance facility.

Real ID compliance in Florida

Your current Florida driver's license is almost certainly Real ID-compliant already. Florida has been issuing Real ID-compliant licenses since 2009, and the state made them the default for all new and renewed licenses. Real ID compliance means your license meets federal security standards and can be used for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings.

You do not need to do anything special to get a Real ID-compliant license in Florida — when you renew your license or get a new one, you will receive it automatically. If you want to confirm your license is Real ID-compliant, look for a small star in the upper right corner of your license. If the star is there, you are set for domestic travel and federal building access.

Other states that still issue enhanced driver's licenses

Washington was the first state to issue an enhanced driver's license, starting in 2008. It remains the most active EDL program because of the state's proximity to Canada and the volume of cross-border commuters. Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont followed, and all five states continue to issue them today.

If you move to one of these states, you may be able to get an enhanced driver's license there. However, if you are a Florida resident, that option is not available to you in Florida. You would need to move to one of those states and meet their residency requirements to obtain an EDL from them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Florida driver's license to drive to Canada or Mexico?

No. You need a passport, passport card, or NEXUS card to cross a land border. Your Florida driver's license, even though it is Real ID-compliant, does not meet the federal requirement for land border crossing. Air travel to those countries also requires a passport.

Is my Florida driver's license Real ID-compliant?

Almost certainly yes. Florida has issued Real ID-compliant licenses as the standard since 2009. Look for a small star in the upper right corner of your license. If it is there, your license meets Real ID standards for domestic flights and federal buildings.

What is the cheapest way to cross a border from Florida?

A U.S. passport card is usually the most affordable option for occasional border crossings by land or sea. It costs less than a full passport, is valid for 10 years, and works for cruises and car trips to Canada or Mexico. You can explore at your county clerk's office or a post office.

Can I get an enhanced driver's license if I move to another state?

Yes, if you move to Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, or Vermont, you can get an enhanced driver's license from that state. You will need to meet the state's residency requirements and provide proof of identity and address. Each state has slightly different rules, so check with your new state's DMV.

Why did Florida stop issuing enhanced driver's licenses?

Florida ended its EDL program in 2009 because demand was low and the cost of maintaining a separate system was not justified. Most Floridians who travel internationally already have a passport, and the state found it more efficient to focus on standard Real ID-compliant licenses for the general population.