Which States Offer Enhanced Driver's Licenses and What They're For

What an Enhanced Driver's License Is and Which States Issue Them

An enhanced driver's license (EDL) is a state-issued ID that meets federal security standards and lets you cross the U.S. border into Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean without a passport. Not all states offer them. Currently, about 17 states and Washington D.C. issue enhanced licenses: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

The federal government sets the security requirements through the REAL ID Act, but each state decides whether to create an enhanced version. Some states chose not to, meaning residents in those states must carry a passport or passport card to cross land borders, even though they have a regular driver's license. The enhanced license combines the border-crossing function with your everyday driving ID, so you carry one document instead of two.

The specific name varies by state — some call it an Enhanced Driver's License, others call it a Real ID Driver's License with border-crossing privileges, and a few use different terminology. Check your state's DMV website to see what your state calls it and whether it's available.

Key Takeaways

Seventeen states plus Washington D.C. currently issue enhanced driver's licenses that allow land border crossing without a passport.
An enhanced license meets federal REAL ID security standards and works for both everyday driving and border travel to Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean nations.
If your state does not offer an enhanced license, you will need a passport or passport card to cross a land border, even with a regular driver's license.
The cost, processing time, and required documents vary by state, so contact your state DMV directly for current fees and wait times.
You can use an enhanced license for domestic air travel, but a regular REAL ID-compliant driver's license works for that purpose too.

How an Enhanced License Differs From a Regular Driver's License

A regular driver's license proves you can legally drive in your state. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license — which most states now issue — meets federal security standards for identification but does not include border-crossing privileges. An enhanced driver's license does both: it proves you can drive and it satisfies the federal requirements to cross a land border without a passport.

The physical card looks similar to a regular license, though most states mark it clearly as "enhanced" or note the border-crossing feature. The main difference is in what you can use it for. With a regular license, you cannot cross a land border into Canada or Mexico. With an enhanced license, you can. Both work for domestic air travel as of 2025, so the enhanced version does not give you an advantage there.

The enhanced license also costs more than a regular license — typically $20 to $50 extra, depending on the state — and requires additional documents to prove citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization papers. A regular license usually only requires proof of identity and residency.

States That Offer Enhanced Licenses and Their Requirements

The 17 states and Washington D.C. that currently issue enhanced driver's licenses are: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Each state sets its own fees, processing times, and document requirements, so the experience of getting one differs depending on where you live.

Common documents needed across most states include a birth certificate or passport, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and your current driver's license. Some states require you to appear in person; others allow you to renew by mail if you already hold a regular license. Processing times range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the state and whether the DMV is processing a backlog.

Contact your state's DMV website directly to find the exact list of documents, current fees, and how long processing takes in your area. DMV wait times and processing speeds change throughout the year, so calling ahead or checking online can save you a trip.

What You Can and Cannot Do With an Enhanced License

An enhanced driver's license allows you to cross a land or sea border into Canada, Mexico, and certain Caribbean nations without carrying a passport. You can drive across the U.S.-Canada border at any official port of entry, and the same applies to the U.S.-Mexico border. Some Caribbean nations also recognize the enhanced license for cruise ship travel, though you should confirm with your cruise line or the destination country before booking.

You cannot use an enhanced license for air travel to another country — you still need a passport for that. Within the United States, an enhanced license works the same as any REAL ID-compliant license for domestic flights. You also cannot use it to enter countries that require a visa or that do not recognize the enhanced license as a travel document.

The enhanced license is not a passport and does not replace one. If you plan to fly internationally, stay outside North America, or need to prove citizenship for purposes other than border crossing, you will still need a passport or passport card.

States Without Enhanced Licenses and Your Border-Crossing Options

If you live in a state that does not offer an enhanced driver's license, you have two main options for crossing a land border: carry a passport book or a passport card. A passport card is smaller and cheaper than a passport book (around $130 versus $165 for a first-time adult passport), and it works for land and sea border crossings into Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It does not work for air travel to another country.

You can obtain a passport card through the U.S. State Department's passport process process. You explore at a post office, courthouse, or passport acceptance facility in your area. Processing times vary — routine service typically takes 6 to 8 weeks, and expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks, though times change seasonally. You can also renew a passport card by mail if you still have your previous passport.

Some people in non-enhanced-license states choose to get both a passport card (for land border crossings) and keep their regular driver's license (for everyday driving and domestic flights). Others get a passport book and use it for all travel. The choice depends on how often you cross borders and whether you travel internationally by air.

How to Get an Enhanced License in Your State

The process starts at your state's DMV website. Search for "enhanced driver's license" or "EDL" plus your state name to find the official page. The page will list required documents, fees, and whether you can explore in person, by mail, or online. Some states let you renew an existing license online but require a first-time enhanced license process in person.

Gather your documents before you go — typically a birth certificate, proof of citizenship (passport, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth), Social Security card or tax return, proof of residency, and your current driver's license. Bring originals or certified copies; photocopies usually do not work. Some states accept documents scanned and uploaded through their online portal.

Visit your local DMV office or submit your process by mail according to your state's instructions. Pay the fee, which ranges from $20 to $50 above the cost of a regular license renewal. Processing takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks. You can often check the status of your process online or by calling your DMV. Once approved, you will receive your enhanced license by mail or can pick it up at the DMV office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an enhanced driver's license to fly internationally?

No. An enhanced license works for land and sea border crossings to Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean destinations, but you need a passport book for air travel to any country outside the United States. A passport card works for land and sea crossings but not for air travel either.

What if I live in a state without enhanced licenses?

You can get a passport card from the U.S. State Department, which works for land and sea border crossings and costs less than a passport book. You explore at a post office or courthouse. Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks for routine service or 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service.

Do I need an enhanced license if I already have a passport?

No. A passport book works for all border crossings and international air travel. An enhanced license is useful if you want to avoid carrying a passport for routine land border trips, but it is not necessary if you already have one.

How long does an enhanced license last?

Most states issue enhanced licenses with the same expiration as a regular driver's license — typically 4 to 8 years depending on your age and state. Check your state DMV website for the exact renewal period in your state.

Can I renew my enhanced license by mail?

Some states allow mail renewal if you already hold an enhanced license and meet certain conditions, such as no address change. Other states require you to renew in person. Check your state DMV website or call to confirm whether mail renewal is available in your state.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.