Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) are a relatively new ID type that have gained traction in the United States in recent years, but what are they, and how do they differ from standard drivers licenses and state issued IDs?
What are Enhanced Drivers Licenses?
Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) prove US citizenship in addition to identity. This enhanced ID format is designed to provide proof of identity for U.S. citizens entering the United States border via vehicle from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, as a cheaper alternative to a passport for North American international travel. EDLs are valid forms of identification at both land and port entries.
The enhanced drivers licenses are issued using a combined RFID technology and MRZ technology that allows for an easier travel experience. MRZ or machine readable zone is a series of internationally standardized characters that, when undamaged or free of tears, can quickly be read by an ID and passport scanner. RFID stores all of the information found on a passport book on chips which are embedded inside the EDLs. It is intended to be read only by a device within 4 inches of the physical chip, thus creating an effectual but speedy identity verification process.
Which states currently issue EDLs?
As of November 2024, only 5 states issue enhanced drivers licenses as an ID format. While there is no standard application process for an enhanced drivers license, if you live in an applicable state, please follow your state specific application requirements.
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New York
- Vermont
- Washington
Can ID scanners read EDLs?
Yes. The enhanced drivers licenses are similar to regular IDs in that they also possess a barcode in addition to the RFID and MRZ. This allows them to be read by traditional ID scanners and identity verification software like VeriScan, which allows for non border businesses to ensure business continuity with this new ID format. VeriScan also works for borders and ports needing to scan the enhanced drivers license as though it were a passport, however, it is important that an RFID or MRZ capable ID scanner is used to ensure border crossing compliance.
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Are Enhanced Drivers Licenses considered REAL IDs?
Yes. REAL IDs are designed with a “set standard” of security features in response to the REAL ID Act, post 9/11. REAL IDs are meant to ensure security at federal facilities, when boarding aircrafts, and when entering power plants. Enhanced Drivers Licenses are designed and designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by DHS under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and are acceptable for official federal purposes (i.e., boarding a commercial aircraft, accessing a federal facility, or entering a nuclear power plant). So, in states where EDLs are an approved form of identification, they can be used in place of a REAL ID.
Conclusion
Regardless of your use case, we have solutions to ensure you remain compliant with both states and federal laws without suffering a lapse in daily business processes. Contact our team to learn more.
