An enhanced driver's license in Ohio is a standard driver's license with added security features that also works as a travel document for land and sea border crossings into Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean
Ohio calls this document an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). It looks like a regular Ohio driver's license but includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip embedded in the card. That chip stores biometric data — your photograph and fingerprints — which U.S. Customs and Border Protection can read at the border without requiring a separate passport.
The EDL is not required for any domestic purpose. You can drive within Ohio and across state lines with a standard driver's license. The EDL's main value is convenience at the Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean borders: you can cross by land or sea without carrying a passport book. If you fly internationally, you still need a passport — the EDL does not replace it for air travel.
Ohio began issuing EDLs in 2009 and continues to do so. The process takes longer than a standard license renewal because the state must collect fingerprints and verify them against federal databases.
Key Takeaways
- An enhanced driver's license costs more than a standard license — Ohio charges an additional fee on top of the regular renewal cost, and the total varies depending on how long you want the license to be valid.
- You must visit an Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles office in person to provide fingerprints and have your photograph taken; you cannot renew an EDL by mail or online.
- The EDL works for land and sea border crossings to Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean nations, but not for air travel — you need a passport for flights.
- Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks longer than a standard license because Ohio must send your fingerprints to the FBI for a background check.
- You must be a U.S. citizen to get an EDL; Ohio will not issue one to permanent residents or other visa holders.
Who can get an enhanced driver's license in Ohio
You must be a U.S. citizen. Ohio does not issue EDLs to permanent residents, visa holders, or anyone without U.S. citizenship status. You will need to prove citizenship when you explore — a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate all work.
You must also meet Ohio's standard driver's license requirements: be at least 16 years old, pass the written and driving tests if you are a new driver, and have a valid Social Security number. If you already hold a standard Ohio driver's license, you can convert it to an EDL without retesting.
You cannot get an EDL if you are subject to certain federal security holds or if you have an outstanding warrant. Ohio's BMV will run a background check as part of the fingerprinting process, and the FBI will flag your process if there are issues.
What documents you need to bring to the BMV
Bring proof of citizenship: an original or certified birth certificate, a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. A photocopy is not enough — the BMV must see the original or a certified copy.
Bring your current driver's license or state ID. If you do not have one, bring two documents that show your name and date of birth, such as a school ID, military ID, or utility bill with your name on it.
Bring proof of your Social Security number: a Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form. A tax return with your SSN on it also works.
Bring proof of your current Ohio address: a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. If you recently moved, bring your old address proof and new address proof together.
The cost and how long it takes
Ohio charges a separate fee for an EDL on top of the standard driver's license renewal fee. The total cost depends on how long you want the license to be valid. As of 2024, an EDL valid for 4 years costs more than a standard 4-year license, and an 8-year EDL costs more than an 8-year standard license. Exact fees change annually, so check the Ohio BMV website or call your local office before you go.
Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks longer than a standard license. A standard Ohio driver's license usually arrives in 7 to 10 business days. An EDL takes 3 to 4 weeks because Ohio must send your fingerprints to the FBI, wait for the background check to come back, and then print the card with the RFID chip.
You will receive a temporary paper license at the BMV office on the day you explore. That temporary license is valid for driving in Ohio and across state lines while you wait for your EDL to arrive in the mail.
how the process works at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office
Find your nearest BMV office on the Ohio Secretary of State website. Some offices take walk-ins; others require an appointment. Call ahead or check online to see whether your office is accepting appointments or walk-ins, because wait times vary widely.
Bring all the documents listed above. The BMV staff will verify your citizenship, take a new photograph, collect your fingerprints using a digital scanner, and process your process. The whole visit usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how busy the office is.
Tell the staff member you want an enhanced driver's license, not a standard one. If you do not specify, they may issue a standard license instead. Ask them to confirm the fee before you pay, so you know the exact cost.
You will leave with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your EDL will arrive by mail within 3 to 4 weeks. If it does not arrive within that window, contact the BMV office where you applied.
What the RFID chip does and does not do
The RFID chip stores your photograph, fingerprints, and the information printed on the front of the card. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have readers at the border that can access this data without you handing over the card. The chip is encrypted, so the data cannot be read by a standard RFID reader — only by CBP's equipment.
The chip does not track your location or movement. It does not contain your medical history, financial information, or any data beyond what appears on the license itself. The RFID chip is passive, meaning it only transmits data when a CBP reader is actively scanning it.
If you are concerned about RFID privacy, you can carry your EDL in an RFID-blocking sleeve or wallet. These are inexpensive and widely available. The blocking material does not damage the card or interfere with normal use.
Renewing or replacing an enhanced driver's license
When your EDL expires, you can renew it in person at a BMV office using the same process as your first process. You cannot renew an EDL by mail or online, even if you renewed a standard license that way in the past. You must visit an office, provide new fingerprints, and have a new photograph taken.
If your EDL is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can replace it at a BMV office. Bring your proof of citizenship and address as you would for a new process. Replacement usually costs less than a full renewal and takes the same 3 to 4 weeks.
If you move out of Ohio, your EDL remains valid for the rest of its term, but you cannot renew it in another state. If you move to another state that issues EDLs, you will need to get a new one from that state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an enhanced driver's license to fly internationally?
No. The EDL works only for land and sea border crossings. For any international air travel, you need a passport book. The EDL cannot replace a passport for flights, even to Canada or Mexico.
What if I do not have a birth certificate?
You can use a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad instead. If you do not have any of these, contact the Ohio BMV to ask what other documents they will accept. Some offices may ask you to get a birth certificate from the state where you were born before they can issue an EDL.
Can I get an enhanced driver's license if I am a permanent resident?
No. Ohio issues EDLs only to U.S. citizens. Permanent residents can use a passport or passport card for border crossings instead.
What happens if my background check fails?
If the FBI background check uncovers an issue — such as an outstanding warrant or a federal security hold — the Ohio BMV will contact you. You will not receive an EDL, but you can still get a standard driver's license. Contact the BMV office where you applied to discuss the issue.
Do I need an enhanced driver's license to drive in Ohio?
No. A standard Ohio driver's license is all you need to drive anywhere in the United States. The EDL is only useful if you cross the Canada, Mexico, or Caribbean borders by land or sea and want to avoid carrying a passport.