The cost of an advanced driver's license varies by state, typically ranging from $20 to $100 for the license itself, plus fees for the required knowledge and skills tests

An advanced driver's license (sometimes called an enhanced driver's license or EDL) is a real ID document that proves citizenship and identity at the same level as a passport. It costs more than a standard license because it requires additional background checks and verification steps. The exact price depends on which state issues it and whether you're renewing an existing license or getting one for the first time.

Most states charge between $20 and $100 for the license document itself. On top of that, you'll pay separately for the knowledge test (usually $5 to $15) and the driving skills test (usually $10 to $30), if your state requires you to retake them. Some states bundle these costs together; others list them separately. A few states don't offer advanced licenses at all, so what's available to you depends on where you live.

Key Takeaways

  • An advanced driver's license costs between $20 and $100 depending on your state, plus test fees if required.
  • You need proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers) to get one, which you must bring to the DMV.
  • An advanced license lets you cross the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders by land without a passport, which a standard license does not.
  • Processing time is usually two to four weeks, and you cannot use it for air travel or international trips outside North America.
  • Not all states offer advanced licenses, so check your state DMV website to see if one is available where you live.

Why the cost is higher than a standard license

An advanced license costs more because it requires the state to verify your citizenship and conduct a more thorough background check than a standard license does. The state must confirm your identity against federal records, which takes staff time and database access. You also have to provide original documents proving citizenship—a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate—which the DMV has to inspect and sometimes copy.

The extra cost also covers the state's liability. Because an advanced license can be used for border crossing, the state is taking on more responsibility to may support the person holding it is actually a U.S. citizen. Standard licenses don't carry that same federal requirement, so they're cheaper to issue.

What documents you need to bring

Before you go to the DMV, gather your proof of citizenship. This must be an original document, not a copy. Acceptable documents are a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, or a Certificate of Citizenship. You'll also need proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement) and your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

Bring your current driver's license or state ID as well. If you've changed your name since your citizenship document was issued, bring the legal document that shows the change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will not issue an advanced license if the name on your citizenship document doesn't match the name you're using now, even if you have a legal reason for the change.

How long it takes to get one

Processing time for an advanced driver's license is usually two to four weeks from the day you submit your process at the DMV. Some states are faster; others take longer depending on how busy the office is and whether they need to verify your documents with a federal agency. A few states offer expedited processing for an extra fee, usually $10 to $25.

You'll receive a temporary paper license at the DMV that day, which you can use for border crossing while you wait for the card to arrive by mail. The temporary is valid for the same length of time as the permanent license—typically four to eight years depending on your state and age.

What an advanced license lets you do

An advanced driver's license allows you to cross the land borders between the United States and Canada or Mexico without carrying a passport. You can use it at border checkpoints when driving, taking a bus, or walking across. It is not valid for air travel—you still need a passport to fly internationally or to Canada and Mexico by plane.

An advanced license is also accepted as proof of identity and citizenship for federal purposes within the United States, such as entering a federal building or military base. A standard driver's license is not. If you travel to Canada or Mexico by land more than once or twice a year, an advanced license can save you the cost and hassle of carrying a passport every time.

States that offer advanced licenses

Not every state offers an advanced driver's license. As of now, roughly 20 states issue them, including Washington, Oregon, California, New York, Michigan, Minnesota, and others. The list changes occasionally as states add or drop the program. Your state DMV website will tell you whether your state offers one and what the exact cost and requirements are in your state.

If your state doesn't offer an advanced license, a standard driver's license and a passport are your two separate documents for proving identity and citizenship. Some people choose to get a passport card instead, which is smaller than a passport book and can be used for land border crossing, though it costs about the same as an advanced license.

Renewal and replacement costs

Renewing an advanced license costs the same as getting a new one—typically $20 to $100 depending on your state. You'll need to bring your citizenship document again, even though you already proved it when you got your first advanced license. Some states allow you to renew by mail if you haven't changed your address or name, which can save you a trip to the DMV.

If your advanced license is lost, stolen, or damaged, the replacement fee is usually the same as the renewal fee. You'll need to report a lost or stolen license to the DMV before you can get a replacement, and you may need to bring your citizenship document again depending on your state's rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an advanced driver's license to fly to Canada or Mexico?

No. An advanced license is only valid for land border crossing. For air travel to Canada, Mexico, or anywhere else outside the U.S., you need a passport or passport card. Some people confuse the two because both prove citizenship, but they serve different purposes.

Do I have to retake the driving test to get an advanced license?

Most states do not require you to retake the driving skills test if you already have a valid driver's license. You may have to retake the knowledge test depending on your state. Check your state DMV website or call ahead to ask whether tests are required for your situation.

What if I don't have a birth certificate?

You can use a passport, naturalization certificate, or Certificate of Citizenship instead. If you don't have any of these, you'll need to contact the vital records office in the state or country where you were born to request a certified copy of your birth certificate before you can get an advanced license.

How long is an advanced driver's license valid?

An advanced license is valid for the same length of time as a standard driver's license in your state—usually four to eight years depending on your age and state. The expiration date is printed on the card. You can renew it before it expires by going back to the DMV.

Is an advanced license the same as a REAL ID?

No, they are different. A REAL ID is a standard driver's license that meets federal security standards and can be used for domestic air travel. An advanced license is a separate document that proves citizenship and allows land border crossing. Some states offer both; some offer only one or the other.