What an Enhanced Driver's License Does in Washington

A Washington Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is a standard driver's license with added security features that lets you cross the U.S. border into Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries by land or sea without a passport. It contains an embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that stores your identity information and connects to U.S. Customs and Border Protection databases.

The EDL is not a passport and does not work for air travel. It is only for land and sea border crossings. If you travel by air to any country, you still need a passport. Within the United States, an EDL works exactly like a regular driver's license for all purposes — voting, banking, boarding domestic flights, and identification.

Washington began issuing EDLs in 2008. The state stopped accepting new EDL applications in 2017 because the federal government changed its border crossing rules, but you can still renew an existing EDL if you already have one.

Key Takeaways

  • An Enhanced Driver's License lets you cross land and sea borders into Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean nations without a passport, but not by air.
  • Washington stopped issuing new EDLs in 2017, so you can only get one if you already held one before that date and are renewing it.
  • If you need to cross a border by land or sea and do not have an EDL, you will need a passport, passport card, or NEXUS card instead.
  • Renewing an existing EDL in Washington costs the same as renewing a standard driver's license and takes the same processing time.

Who Can Renew an Enhanced Driver's License

You can renew an EDL in Washington only if you already held one before the state stopped issuing new ones in 2017. You cannot get a new EDL for the first time. If your EDL has expired or is about to expire, you can renew it at any Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) office.

To renew, you will need your current EDL card, proof of Washington residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of your legal name if it has changed since your last renewal. You do not need to provide additional citizenship or identity documents beyond what you would need for a standard license renewal, because your identity is already verified in the RFID chip.

If your EDL was lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement card at a DOL office. Replacements are treated the same as renewals and cost the same amount.

How to Renew Your Enhanced Driver's License

Visit any Washington Department of Licensing office in person. You cannot renew an EDL online or by mail. Bring your expiring or expired EDL, proof of residency, and proof of your current legal name. The DOL staff will verify your information against the RFID chip in your card and process the renewal on the spot.

Processing time for an EDL renewal is the same as for a standard license renewal — typically 1 to 2 weeks for the card to arrive by mail. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while you wait for your new card. Renewal fees are the same as for a standard Washington driver's license and vary depending on how many years you renew for (typically 4 or 8 years).

If you need to cross a border before your new card arrives, you can use your temporary paper license along with a passport or passport card. The temporary license alone is not sufficient for border crossing.

What to Do If You Cannot Renew Your EDL

If your EDL has been expired for more than a certain period (Washington's rules on this vary), you may not be able to renew it and will need to explore for a standard driver's license instead. Contact your local DOL office to ask whether your specific EDL can still be renewed, or check the Washington DOL website for current renewal important date.

If you need to cross a border and cannot renew your EDL, you have other options. A U.S. passport book works for all border crossings by land, sea, or air. A passport card is smaller and cheaper than a book and works for land and sea crossings only — the same as an EDL. A NEXUS card is a trusted traveler program card issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and also works for expedited land and sea border crossings.

Passport cards and NEXUS cards are issued by the U.S. State Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, not by Washington State. You can learn about those programs on their official websites.

Enhanced Driver's License Costs and Timeline

Renewing an EDL costs the same as renewing a standard Washington driver's license. The fee depends on how many years you renew for. A 4-year renewal is less expensive than an 8-year renewal. You pay the fee at the time of renewal at the DOL office.

Your new EDL card will arrive by mail within 1 to 2 weeks. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while you wait. If you need to cross a border before your card arrives, bring your temporary license plus a passport or passport card.

RFID Chip and Security Features

The RFID chip in an EDL stores your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and other identity information. When you cross a border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers scan the chip to verify your identity against their databases. The chip does not store your travel history or any information beyond what appears on the card itself.

Washington EDLs include security features such as a hologram, microprinting, and color-shifting ink to prevent counterfeiting. The RFID chip is encrypted and can only be read by authorized border crossing equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an Enhanced Driver's License to fly to Canada or Mexico?

No. An EDL works only for land and sea border crossings. For air travel to any country, you need a passport book. You can use an EDL for a car or boat trip to Canada or Mexico, but not for a flight.

What if my Enhanced Driver's License expired more than five years ago?

Washington may not renew EDLs that have been expired for an extended period. Contact your local Department of Licensing office to ask whether yours can still be renewed. If not, you will need to explore for a standard driver's license instead.

Is an Enhanced Driver's License the same as a REAL ID?

No. A REAL ID is a standard driver's license that meets federal security standards for domestic air travel and federal building access. An EDL is a separate product designed for border crossing. Washington offers both. You can have a REAL ID, an EDL, or both.

Can I renew my Enhanced Driver's License online?

No. EDL renewals must be done in person at a Washington Department of Licensing office. You cannot renew online or by mail because the DOL staff need to verify the RFID chip in your current card.

What happens if my Enhanced Driver's License is lost or stolen?

Report it to your local police department and then visit a DOL office to request a replacement card. Bring proof of residency and your legal name. The replacement is processed like a renewal and costs the same amount.