Changeable laser image feature that enables two or more images to occupy the same area polycarbonate card body more durable, secure and. Enhanced driver s licence edl and enhanced identification card eic programs this section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by immigration, refugees and citizenship canada staff. To get a quebec class 4b drivers license, the resident must hold a valid class 5 quebec drivers license. The quebec version bore the quebec flag and only had can, for canadian citizen, to distinguish it. Enhanced drivers license first time cruisers cruise. And here is the equivalent page on the canada border services agency website. After running it for five years, quebec discontinued the enhanced drivers license program, citing low demand as the reason. The alberta government has rolled out a new design for drivers licences and identification cards. Enhanced drivers licenses are only valid for land and marine crossings, however, so you will not be able to fly to canada with one. Enhanced drivers license issued by british columbia, manitoba, ontario and quebec only, or enhanced learners permit, or enhanced state id card, or indian and northern affairs canada inac card. Traffic makes its way to ambassador bridge that connects canada to the. A stateissued enhanced drivers license edl provides travelers not only a license to drive but also a proof of identity and citizenship when exiting and reentering the united states borders. If you plan to use a foreign drivers licence in canada, you should get an international driving permit idp in your home country.
Ontario is proposing to eliminate an enhanced driver s licence that. Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses edls provide proof of identity and u. Quebec edls currently in circulation will remain active until they expire, and as such, are out of scope for this addendum. Do i need to pass the knowledge or driving tests to get an enhanced driver license. What you need as an american to visit canada usa today. Enhanced security features government of nova scotia, canada. This enhanced drivers license contains a radio frequency identification.
It is posted on the departments website as a courtesy to stakeholders. New canadian enhanced drivers licenses for us border. Oct 03, 2011 the enhanced driver s licenses edls are accepted as proof of citizenship for reentering the united states from canada, mexico and the carribean via land or sea borders. Canada s driving age is determined on a provincebyprovince basis. But enhanced drivers licenses are not valid for international air travel. Now, while canadian immigration does not explicitly clarify whether enhanc. If you have a valid edl, you can use it until it is expired or needs to be replaced. Drivers license at border montreal forum tripadvisor. May 30, 2014 three other canadian provinces offered enhanced drivers licences, bearing the canadian flag. Washington state michigan minnesota new york vermont british columbia manitoba ontario quebec. As the drivers licence contains such other information as a photograph, height and other physical descriptions, and signature, this is more information than is needed for most business purposes. This card lets you travel between by land or sea between the us, canada, mexico, or the caribbean, but it is not valid for travel by air or to any other international location.
Quebec class 4b drivers license authorizes its holder to drive a minibus or small bus with a passenger capacity of 24 or less. S citizen, my enhanced license was suppose to arrive a week ago, and dmv says to keep waiting. Learn how to apply for an enhanced licence edl, enhanced id card eic or bcid. Enhanced drivers licenses are available in several states that border canada, including new york, michigan, vermont and washington state. Uscanada border crossing guidelines for amtrak train. Drivers licence plus documents have not been issued since 30 september 2014. Ontario plans to eliminate enhanced drivers licences used at border. A michigan enhanced drivers license meets driving, identification and border crossing needs, according to the state of michigan website. An enhanced drivers license or edl serves as both a drivers license and an identification card that proves citizenship for certain purposes. Enhanced drivers licence edl and enhanced identification card eic programs this section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by immigration, refugees and citizenship canada staff. Enhanced driver s license provides us border officials with more information. Any drivers license can be used for travel between the us an canada you do need a passport and to assure your insurance covers you in canada. Ontario plans to eliminate enhanced drivers licences used.
They provide travelers with a lowcost, convenient alternative for entering the united states from canada, mexico or the caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in. Be aware that if you are going to use just your driver s license to enter canada and also to reenter the united states by land, you need to ensure that your u. Crossing canadian border with temporary enhanced license. Hi all, my soon to be sisterin law is getting married in toronto and i am a u. Its convenient, inexpensive and gives you access to a. An enhanced drivers licence in canadian english, enhanced drivers license edl in u. The provinces use a gdl graduated driver licensing system for a standard car and lighttruck licence to ensure the proficiency of drivers. The passport card looks similar to a drivers license. The enhanced drivers licenses edls are accepted as proof of citizenship for reentering the united states from canada, mexico and the carribean via land or sea borders. Quebec premier jean charest displays the provinces enhanced. A fourth province, quebec, also initially participated but discontinued the availability of a quebec enhanced drivers licence edl to new. Four canadian provinces british columbia, manitoba, ontario, and quebec are issuing edls to canadian citizens.
The days of being able to cross the border with just a regular drivers licence or a birth certificate ended in june 2009. If youve ever had a felonyincluding a dui persons with a felony may be denied entrance into canada. The department has worked with canadian provincial and federal officials to pursue enhanced drivers licenses as an alternative to the canadian passport. Quebec city and montmorency falls day trip from montreal. Can i use my michigan enhanced drivers license to get into. The wedding is on tuesday and i am freaking out, because my official. How to get the right id for canada trip the seattle times. In the usa, there are real id drivers licenses and enhanced drivers licenses. Enhanced drivers licence edl and enhanced identification. A stateissued enhanced driver s license edl provides travelers not only a license to drive but also a proof of identity and citizenship when exiting and reentering the united states borders.
Introduced by the saaq on december 8, 2008, to facilitate crossing the border, the enhanced drivers licence has never really been popular with quebecers. Everything you need to know about driver s licences. An enhanced license permit, or nondriver id is a new york state dmv issued document that you can use instead of a passport to return to the us by land or sea from canada, mexico and some countries in the caribbean. Enhanced drivers license what is an enhanced drivers. As with passports, only canadian citizens will be able to obtain the new licences. A fourth province, quebec, also initially participated but discontinued the availability of a quebec enhanced driver s licence edl to new applicants in october 2014. A us passport, passport card, enhanced driver license or an enhanced id card edlid is required to cross the uscanadian border by land and sea. Enhanced drivers licenses what they are and where to get them. An enhanced drivers license edl, currently issued by the states of michigan, minnesota, new york, vermont, and washington, is specifically designed to meet the requirements of the western hemisphere travel initiative whti to reenter the united states via a land or water border. Ontario plans to eliminate enhanced drivers licences. Enhanced drivers licence enhanced identification card this privacy impact assessment pia is an addendum to the pia submitted in december 2008 entitled enhanced drivers licence and enhanced identification card program use of edl data by the cbsa, which is a collaborative program between canada border services agency cbsa and three participating provinces. Current enhanced driver s license driver s licence plus identification cards will remain valid until their expiration dates.
Jan 30, 2020 an enhanced license permit, or non driver id is a new york state dmv issued document that you can use instead of a passport to return to the us by land or sea from canada, mexico and some countries in the caribbean. Jul 02, 2018 what you need to know before driving to canada. The notable exception is alberta, where a learners permit may be obtained at 14 years of age. Ontario is proposing to eliminate an enhanced drivers licence that allows people to enter the united states at land and water border crossings without a passport. English, or enhanced id in other common usage, is a card which functions both as driving licence and id card with limited passport features issued in some provinces in canada, in some states in the united states, and for the people who are both citizens of the country and residents in the relevant region. Enhanced drivers license edl department of motor vehicles. As of august 24, 2017, statesprovinces offering an enhanced driver licenseenhanced id card include. Enhanced drivers license edl trusted traveler document such as a nexus card. Using rfid technology, drivers licenses are getting a technological boost that will also save time at american borders. After running it for five years, quebec discontinued the edl program, citing low demand as the reason. A michigan enhanced driver s license meets driving, identification and border crossing needs, according to the state of michigan website. Enhanced driver s licenses are available in several states that border canada, including new york, michigan, vermont and washington state.
The new design includes updated security features such as clear windows, laser engraving and 3d. Travel to canada with enhanced drivers license and dui. Enhanced drivers license washington is one of four border states approved to issue an enhanced drivers license, which denotes both a persons identity and u. Jun 06, 2018 the alberta government has rolled out a new design for drivers licences and identification cards. To legally drive a car in canada, youll need a driver s licence issued by the government of your province or territory. Enhanced drivers licence edl and enhanced identification card eic. Quebec has also just revealed they are also interested in developing this technology, joined by manitoba and ontario, where new legislation has been passed to create these high tech licenses. An idp will give you a translation of your licence into french and english. The expiry date is on the front of your edl other travel documents. Ontario is proposing to eliminate an enhanced drivers licence that allows. Jun 25, 2019 the enhanced drivers licence edl was a travel document that acted as proof of identity and citizenship when traveling to the united states by road or water. Three other canadian provinces offered enhanced drivers licences, bearing the canadian flag. Obtaining a drivers licence just choose the vehicle you want to drive, and well take care of explaining everything else.
In canada, the provinces of british columbia, quebec, manitoba, and ontario offer edls. Be aware that if you are going to use just your drivers license to enter canada and also to reenter the united states by land, you need to ensure that your u. Drivers licence renewal and fee payment every year, we send you a drivers licence renewal notice that provides various information, including the payment due date. The enhanced drivers licence edl was a travel document that acted as proof of identity and citizenship when traveling to the united states by road or water. With the possible issuance of enhanced drivers licences in some. Canadas driving age is determined on a provincebyprovince basis. Learn about driving licenses, car insurance, driving laws and rules, buying or leasing a car and safety. Its convenient, inexpensive and gives you access to a faster ready lane at certain border crossing points. Security, privacy issues abound with enhanced driver. She has just recently moved to new hampshire so her drivers license is from ct and. A fourth province, quebec, also initially participated but discontinued the availability of a quebec enhanced drivers licence edl to new applicants in october 2014. The days of being able to cross the border with just a regular driver s licence or a birth certificate ended in june 2009.
There are many different types of documents you can use to cross the us canada border. An enhanced driver s licence in canadian english, enhanced driver s license edl in u. Quebecers can now get a drivers licence that will allow them to cross the. Enhanced driver s licenses are only valid for land and marine crossings, however, so you will not be able to fly to canada with one. May 07, 2020 the enhanced drivers licence edl was a travel document that acted as proof of identity and citizenship when traveling to the united states by road or water. British columbia and manitoba have enhanced drivers licences, and quebec used to, but phased out the program other provinces rejected the idea because it. Crossing the uscanadian border new england travel planner. Ontario to eliminate enhanced drivers licences used at.
This is a card under the western hemisphere travel initiative whti that has security features and technology that make travel a lot easier and safer. New alberta drivers licences, id cards with enhanced. If you want an edl for your first wa driver license, you must pass both the knowledge and driving test if you already have a valid driver license from wa or another state, you dont need to pass the knowledge or driving test unless you have a medical or physical condition that indicates testing is required. Types of border crossing documention ezbordercrossing. Quebec phased out its enhanced licence program in 2014. The latter are only issued in vermont, new york, michigan and washington, and they also count as real id licenses. Uscanada border crossing guidelines for train travelers amtrak. May 14, 2019 british columbia and manitoba have enhanced drivers licences, and quebec used to, but phased out the program other provinces rejected the idea because it was too costly or there wasnt. Ontarios enhanced drivers licence new quebec drivers licence new to register for eidme in ontario and quebec, all you need is a valid canadian passport and drivers license or photo card to get started, while your home address also needs to be the one listed on your provincial id. Quebec s new smart license also known as the rfid driver s license will allow quebecois to enter the u.
What you need to know if you have a valid edl, you can use it until it is expired or needs to be replaced. Ontario plans to eliminate enhanced drivers licences used at. Enhanced drivers licenses what they are and where to. The provinces use a gdl graduated driver licensing system for a standard car and lighttruck licence to ensure the proficiency of. Enhanced drivers licence enhanced identification card. Collection of drivers licence numbers under private.
Please check your local department of licensing for more information. Americans with an enhanced identification card eic or enhanced drivers license edl from washington state, minnesota, south dakota, michigan, new york, or vermont are allowed to travel to canada without a passport. Enhanced driver s license issued by british columbia, manitoba, ontario and quebec only, or enhanced learners permit, or enhanced state id card, or indian and northern affairs canada inac card. The process to get a drivers licence in canada depends on the province or territory where you live and on your driving background. However, quebec discontinued the program in 2014, due to inadequate demand. To legally drive a car in canada, youll need a drivers licence issued by the government of your province or territory. British columbia and manitoba have enhanced drivers licences, and quebec used to, but phased out the program other provinces rejected the idea because it was too costly or there wasnt enough. You may apply for other travel documents, such as a. Enhanced driver license edl what is an enhanced driver license edl. The enhanced drivers license was specifically introduced for people who want to be able to cross the uscanada border by land and do not want the added expense of buying a passport. To reenter the united states through air travel, however. Edls will also allow people whose main travel is to canada or mexico save money and time on obtaining a passport, since the edl will serve as both their license and id that allows for border crossing. The edl is available from the washington state department of licensing and in many other states.
Technology used in new enhanced drivers licences being adopted by b. It is a valid whti travel document available in i believe 4 states and 3 provinces. In ontario, more than 84,000 drivers have enhanced drivers licences. Electronic communication devices makes it a class c felony to intentionally read, capture, or possess information from a persons enhanced driver license id card without that persons knowledge or consent. The provinces of quebec, manitoba, ontario and british columbia. Current enhanced drivers license drivers licence plus identification cards will remain valid until their expiration dates. Citizenship and immigration canada cic has worked closely with the canada border services agency cbsa to support interested provinces and territories in the development and implementation of the enhanced drivers licence edl andor the enhanced identification card eic.
British columbia and manitoba have enhanced drivers licences, and quebec used to, but phased out the program other provinces rejected the idea because it was too costly or there wasnt. Enhanced drivers licenses are available to canadian citizens residing in british columbia and manitoba, and formerly in ontario and quebec. The new drivers licence and photo id cards have design and security features to help prevent identity theft and fraud. New york dmv get an enhanced driver license edl or real id. Everything you need to know about drivers licences. If you drive for hire, as in a truck driver, you need a different license entirely. The new quebec drivers license is available as of september 2015. The province is changing the way you receive your new drivers licence and photo id cards enhanced security features government of nova scotia, canada skip to main content. May 14, 2019 traffic makes its way to ambassador bridge that connects canada to the united states windsor ont. Border protection in the event that a canadian presents their card as identification at. Driver s licence plus documents have not been issued since 30 september 2014. Edls will also allow people whose main travel is to canada or mexico save money and time on obtaining a passport, since the edl will serve as. Explanation of passport, passport card, global entry, enhanced driver license, enhanced identification card, nexus, fast, sentri, visas, canpass. Quebec digital id app for drivers licenses now available.
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