US Passport Vs Enhanced Driver’s License

Americans traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by land or sea need an ID that complies with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to return to the United States. While everyone traveling internationally by plane needs a US passport, land and sea travelers have more options. So, should you get a passport book, a passport card, or an enhanced driver’s license? The table below summarizes the differences:

Type of ID	Valid for International Air Travel?	Domestic Air Travel?	Land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean?	Available in all 50 states?	Price
US Passport Book	☑️	☑️	☑️	☑️	$130 for adults, $100 for children
US Passport Card	❌	☑️	☑️	☑️	$30 for adults, $15 for children
Enhanced Driver’s License	❌	☑️	☑️	❌ (Only in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Washington).	Varies

The federal government offers passport books for all types of travel. You can also get a passport card for land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean.

But if you don’t have either type of passport, you may still be able to travel to these destinations. Some states are offering Enhanced Drivers Licenses, or EDLs, which can also be used for land and sea travel to select international destinations within the Western Hemisphere.

What is the Enhanced Drivers License?

The Enhanced Drivers License contains a radio frequency identification chip that contains information about the person the EDL was issued to, so they are harder to fake than a regular driver’s license. Here is an example of the New York Enhanced Drivers License:

US Passports vs. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses

What are the advantages of having an EDL? First of all, an EDL is cheaper than a passport. Secondly, it fits more comfortably in your wallet than a passport book does, so it’s more convenient. And if you frequently drive across the border, it’s helpful to only need one form of ID for the entire trip.

However, if your state doesn’t offer EDLs, you can always get a passport card, which is the same size as a driver’s license. But remember: neither EDLs nor passport cards can be used for international air travel, even emergency flights home from Canada or Mexico.

About the REAL ID Act

Starting on October 1, 2021, you’ll need a Real ID to take a domestic flight. All US passports and Enhanced Driver’s Licenses qualify as REAL IDs. And even states that don’t offer Enhanced Driver’s license now have REAL ID-compliant licenses available. However, your current driver’s license might not be compliant, especially if it’s been a while since you renewed it. Read more about the Real ID Act here for details.

Which States Offer the Enhanced Drivers License?

Currently, only 5 states offer EDLs: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. If you live in one of those states, should you get an EDL or a passport?

An EDL will allow you to make quick trips across the border to Canada or Mexico by car or by boat. However, you should be aware that an EDL cannot be used for travel to countries other than Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean nations included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. To visit those countries, you’ll still need a US Passport.

Also, remember that all international air travel requires a passport book. Even if you’re on a road trip or taking a cruise, you might need to fly home if an emergency arises. For this reason, it’s best to also carry a passport book. Additionally, if you’re going on a cruise, be aware that even though the EDL is WHTI-compliant, not all cruise lines will accept it without a birth certificate.

Travelers to Mexico should also note that according to the Department of State: “The Mexican government may not let U.S. citizens who are driving or walking to Mexico enter the country at land border crossings if they do not have a U.S. passport book or U.S. passport card.”

So, if all you need is a WHTI-approved ID for quick excursions on the other side of the border, an EDL may be fine. However, if you’ll be visiting our neighbor to the north (or south) for any length of time, it’s safest to travel with your passport. With that in mind, choosing between a passport book or an enhanced driver’s license is easy for frequent travelers: get the passport so you have more travel options and you can fly home if needed in an emergency.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport?

Currently, it takes about 7-10 weeks to get a passport if you apply directly to the Department of State with routine processing. If you pay the additional $60 to have it expedited, you’ll still be waiting at least 5 weeks. However, a private passport expediting company can often have your passport processed in as little as one week.

31 Responses

January, 8th 2024Clynn
Can I board a Disney cruise in Vancouver with an edl, if I fly to Seattle and cross by land?
- January, 24th 2024Passport Editorial
  If you are a U.S. citizen and plan to travel to Vancouver by land, you should be able to use your EDL for identification. However, it is recommended to have a passport when going on a cruise in case of an emergency situation. Itineraries on cruises can sometimes change unexpectedly due to various reasons. If your cruise is rerouted or if you need to disembark at a foreign port for any reason, a passport will be required for entry.
October, 4th 2023Julia Ban
Can I use my Washington EDL to travel over the border to Canada and back to the US or do I need a passport? It is for a short trip for a concert in Victoria, staying overnight and then coming back the next day. Please reply ASAP thank you.
- November, 21st 2023Passport Editorial
  Yes, an EDL will allow you to make quick trips across the border to Canadaby car.
February, 8th 2023Kenneth
You need an passport to apply for EDL. So the EDL is just a little bit of convenience that if you go to Canada real quick maybe, otherwise you still need a passport.
January, 29th 2023Susan Mawson
I have an enhanced NY drivers license and it does not have a star on it. It has a flag and the Statue of Liberty.
October, 26th 2022Teresa
I have a Washington state enhansed DL, it states it is a Washington enhanced lic across the top however there is no gold star anywhere on it, there is a US flage about middle sort of left hand side.
August, 4th 2022Lynn Wiggers
I just got my Enhanced Drivers License for a quick trip to St Andrews New Brunswick since my passport was expired and it was short notice. Border officials on both sides told me this information was incorrect and I had to give verbal declarations of citizenship while receiving their best stink eye look of disdain. This is all well and good but nobody thought about telling the border officials?
- August, 9th 2022Passport Editorial
  Sorry to hear of that experience but thank you for sharing. We recommend travelers always carry a valid passport for this reason. It's the only sure way to get through the border.
November, 22nd 2021Calvin Drennon
Answered all of my questions. Planning a trip to Tijuana to investigate getting dental work. What are your thought or advice?
- January, 19th 2022Russ V
  Always travel with a passport and if you decide to move forward with the dental surgery, make sure that you get documented paperwork from the doctor, so you can move around more freely as well as for your possible respite in the country.
November, 3rd 2021Sheryl Watts Smith
Very informative I think ppl are confused about the US virgin islands and the British Virgin Island for travel with the enhanced ID
- January, 19th 2022Russ V
  Yes. You must be very clear on your entry, as you will be denied entry into the British VI without a US passport.
January, 20th 2020Eed Collins
Can you use an Enhanced License to fly from St Thomas back to the US? Rather than carry a passport, the EDL should suffice as proof of ID and Citizenship, right?
- January, 23rd 2020David
  No, you will always need a passport book for international flights.
  - August, 15th 2020Xavier Quinton
    St Thomas, Virgin Islands is a domestic flight, not international. As you mentioned by air you need a passport, by sea you only need an enhanced license.
- February, 11th 2020Trish
  Yes, since USVI are part of USA territory, then you can with License, but you may need Birth Certificate, also. (no passport, unless you go to BVI or other international) See FAQ for more info.
  - August, 15th 2020Xavier Quinton
    NO! FLYING you need a passport! If you travel by land and/or sea, THEN you only need an enhanced license.
January, 16th 2020BC
You should first obtain a passport. If you are a resident of Canada, how would you qualify for an Enhanced Driver License of a US state? However, get it if you can.
January, 6th 2020jessica
so if i am an american citizen living in Canada. Should i get a enhanced drivers licenses or a passport?
- January, 6th 2020David
  You absolutely should have a passport if you are living in another country.
December, 10th 2019Terry Kostiuk
Well written
October, 21st 2019Gary H
Arkansas also offers enhanced Drivers Licenses..Got mine in 2017 and my wife got hers last week!
- March, 13th 2020June
  Is there a star on your Drivers license? That is the real id. Arkansas does not offer Enhance, you did not get one of those.
  - August, 15th 2020Xavier Quinton
    enhanced licenses have a star AND United States flag on them
September, 24th 2019Susan Crimi
What about Bermuda? Can I travel without a passport??
- September, 26th 2019David P
  You need a passport for travel to Bermuda.
  - August, 15th 2020Xavier Quinton
    by sea you don't need a passport, an enhanced license or ID is all you need. If by air, then you need a passport. Please have your facts straight when you try to answer people.
August, 12th 2019Robin Carroll
Florida has enhanced Divers Licenses, I have had one since 2010
- March, 13th 2020June
  Florida does not offer Enhanced, you received the Real ID
- August, 15th 2020Xavier Quinton
  Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington are the only states that have enhanced licenses. All other states only have real ID. An enhanced license has a gold star at the top right corner and a United States flag at the bottom. A real ID only has the gold star, no flag.

US Passport Vs Enhanced Driver's License