Real IDs also show your full legal name and address, but they have a star in the top right corner instead of an American flag. They also say "enhanced" at the top of the licenses. How do you know what ID you have?Įnhanced IDs have your full legal name, your address and an American flag on the bottom right corner of the license. Those licenses also have a Machine Readable Zone or barcode that authorities can read electronically if the RFID chip system is not available. That is a joint plan between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State that went into effect in 2009 and requires all travelers to present a passport or other acceptable document that proves identity and citizenship when entering the United States.Įnhanced licenses include a Radio Frequency Identification chip that allows authorities to see someone's biographic and biometric data at a border inspection booth.
New York is one of five states that currently issues enhanced licenses, which comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. These requirements are the result of the Real ID Act, which was passed by Congress in 2005 at the 9/11 Commission's suggestion that the federal government "set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses," according to the Department of Homeland Security. NEW YORK: Clerks warn of trouble with driver's licenses Why do we need these IDs? HOMELAND SECURITY: Real ID travel deadline set for 2018 Real or enhanced IDs are not mandatory, and they are not necessary to be licensed to drive or vote. You still need a passport to travel to those countries on a plane, though. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries. USA TODAY: Is your state's driver's license TSA compliant?Įnhanced and Real IDs - both compliant with the federal Real ID Act - can be used to board domestic flights in the United States, enter a federal building or military base, and for photo identification.Īn enhanced ID can also be used to enter the U.S. After that, an enhanced or Real ID will be necessary to get on a plane, unless you have a passport with you.ĪT THE DMV: What to know about Real ID, avoiding long lines at the DMV They can also be used to board domestic flights, but only until May 3, 2023. Standard IDs can be used for identification purposes. There are currently three types of driver's licenses, permits or non-driver IDs that New Yorkers can choose from. RushMyPassport will guide you through the application process and personally deliver your application to the Department of State for processing times as low as 24 hours.What are enhanced, Real and standard IDs? Of the two options for getting a last-minute passport, an expediting company is the most convenient choice. If you need it sooner, you have the option of requesting an appointment at the nearest regional Passport Agency office (if you’re in Minnesota, the closest one is in Minneapolis) or using a private passport expediter like RushMyPassport. Regular passport processing takes about 6 weeks, while the government’s expedited service takes about 3 weeks. If you need a US passport, you should apply well before you plan to leave the country. So, unless you are only planning to drive a little way into Canada, it’s a good idea to carry a US passport with you anyway. Also, unlike a passport, an enhanced driver’s license is not valid for international air travel at all. However, it can not be used for travel anywhere else. For example, it can be used to travel across the Canadian or Mexican border by land or sea, or to travel to and from the Caribbean by sea. However, there are some key differences between an enhanced driver’s license and a US passport, and it’s important to know what they are so that you can make an informed decision about which document to carry.Īn enhanced driver’s license is only a valid substitute for a US passport in a few specific circumstances. That’s choking off economic activity and travel vital to northland communities and businesses.” “Right now to cross the border, Minnesotans have to pay $100 for a passport or $45 for a passport card just to cross the border. Roger Reinert, the co-author of the bill, explained why he feels that the EDL option is important and valuable: In an article on local ABC affiliate, Minnesota state Rep. That makes it a much cheaper option than getting a US passport. The new license will cost an extra $15 above and beyond the normal costs for getting a license in Minnesota. According to this article on, Minnesotans will soon be able to purchase an enhanced driver’s license, which can be used instead of a US passport to cross the border into Mexico or Canada.