Permanent Residents: Enhanced Driving Licenses Explained

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, sets new standards for the issuance of driver's licenses and ID cards. It is currently only available to residents of certain states, including New York, Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, and Vermont. An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is an acceptable alternative to a REAL ID-compliant card and will be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. To obtain an EDL, you must be a U.S. citizen, provide proof of citizenship, and establish your identity and residence. This leads to the question: can a lawful permanent resident obtain an EDL?

Enhanced Driver's Licenses are available to US citizens in certain states

Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) are available to US citizens in certain states, including Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont. The availability of EDLs depends on the state, and they are typically issued to residents of states that border Canada or Mexico, such as Washington, which shares a border with Canada.

EDLs are designed to make it easier for US citizens to cross the border into the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean through land or sea ports of entry. They include security features such as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and a Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) or barcode that stores biographic and biometric data, which can be scanned by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to facilitate speedy travel.

To apply for an EDL, individuals must provide documentation proving their citizenship, identity, and residence in the issuing state. They must also have a valid current driver's license, a clean driving record, and, in some states, undergo an interview. The EDL is typically valid for up to four years and costs more than a standard driver's license. For example, in Washington State, the fee for an EDL is $113, while in Vermont, it is $30 in addition to the standard license fees.

It is important to note that EDLs are not valid for international flights and are only accepted for land and sea border crossings. For international flights, a passport book is always required. Additionally, EDLs are not available to lawful permanent residents or those on work visas; only US citizens who can provide proof of citizenship are eligible.

Lawful permanent residents must prove their status with a Green Card

An EDL is not the same as a REAL ID, and the requirements for each differ. For instance, a Green Card or work visa cannot be used to obtain an EDL in Washington State. However, a Green Card is a valid form of identification for a REAL ID driver's license or ID card. Lawful permanent residents with a Green Card can apply for a REAL ID, which is a nationwide effort to improve the integrity and security of state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards.

To apply for a REAL ID, individuals must provide proof of identity, legal residence, and date of birth. All documents must show the same name, date of birth, or an association between the information on the documents. Lawful permanent residents must also pay a one-time fee of $30, plus applicable renewal fees, for their first REAL ID. This fee structure is in place in Pennsylvania, and other states may have different requirements and fees.

It is important to note that REAL IDs are optional and are not required for accessing health or life-preserving services, law enforcement, or constitutionally protected activities. However, federal agencies like the TSA will only accept state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards for official purposes if they are REAL ID-compliant or have the REAL ID-compliant star marking.

EDLs are an alternative to REAL ID-compliant cards

Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs) are an alternative to REAL ID-compliant cards. EDLs are issued by the states of Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont and are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards. They are also accepted for official REAL ID purposes. While REAL ID-compliant cards are necessary for boarding commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants, EDLs are designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). This means that EDLs can be used for similar purposes as REAL IDs, such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal facility.

EDLs are similar to US passport cards in that they allow for international land and sea travel to countries that recognize them. However, they cannot be used for air travel. EDLs include machine-readable radio-frequency identification (RFID) and a barcode for automated identification of the cardholder. The RFID chip in EDLs signals a secure system to pull up the biographic and biometric data of the cardholder as they approach a border inspection booth, speeding up identification checks. The barcode on the EDL can be read electronically if RFID isn't available.

It is important to note that the requirements for obtaining an EDL vary by state. For example, in Washington State, only US citizens who can provide proof of citizenship are eligible for an EDL. A Green Card or work visa is not sufficient to obtain an EDL in Washington. Similarly, in Michigan, applicants must be US citizens or lawful permanent residents and provide proof of Michigan residency. Each state has its own driver's licensing agency website with specific documentation requirements for obtaining an EDL.

While EDLs are currently issued by only five states in the US, they are also available to Canadian citizens in four provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. However, as of August 2022, the EDL program in Canada is being phased out, and no new applications are being accepted. Existing EDLs in Canada will remain valid until their expiration dates.

An EDL makes it easier to cross the US border

An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is a state-issued license that provides proof of identity and U.S. citizenship when crossing the U.S. border in a vehicle. It is currently only available to residents of Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont. To apply for an EDL, one must be a resident of the issuing state and provide documents to prove their citizenship, identity, and residence.

EDLs make it easier for U.S. citizens to cross the border into the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry. This is due to the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip embedded in the card, which signals a secure system to pull up the holder's biographic and biometric data for the CBP officer as they approach the border inspection booth. The RFID chip contains a unique reference number that is linked to the holder's information in a secure DHS database. At the border crossing station, an RFID reader uses electromagnetic waves to collect the number and retrieve the associated information. This speeds up identification checks at the border.

In addition to the RFID chip, EDLs also feature a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) or barcode that can be scanned by a CBP officer electronically if RFID isn't available. This further facilitates the border crossing process, making EDLs a low-cost and convenient option for U.S. citizens travelling to and from the countries mentioned above.

It is important to note that while EDLs enhance border crossings, they are not accepted for international air travel. They are, however, considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and can be used for air travel within the United States.

An EDL contains an RFID tag, like a US passport

An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is a state-issued license that is currently only available to residents of Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont. It is an acceptable alternative to a REAL ID-compliant card and will be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. To apply for an EDL, you must be a resident of one of the aforementioned states and provide documents to prove your citizenship, identity, and residence.

An EDL can be used as identification in several ways. It can be used to re-enter the United States by land or sea, to board domestic flights, and as acceptable identification at TSA airport security checkpoints. It is also used to register to vote or update your voter registration.

An EDL contains a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip or tag, similar to a US passport. This chip will signal a secure system to pull up your biographic and biometric data for the CBP officer as you approach the border inspection booth. The RFID tag contains a unique reference number that is read by an RFID reader using electromagnetic waves. The reader then converts the radio waves sent back from the RFID tag into digital information, which is transmitted to the Customs and Border Protection network. This information is protected by data encryption, secure networks, and firewalls while in transit. The network compares the reference number to the records to verify that the identity matches the information printed on the front of the EDL card.

The RFID tag in an EDL cannot be tampered with or deactivated, as this will invalidate the card and prevent its use for border crossing. It is also a Class C felony to intentionally read, capture, or possess information from a person's EDL without their knowledge or consent.

Frequently asked questions