Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) definition

The Enhanced Driver's License or EDL is a state-issued driver's license and ID card which complies with travel rules under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), effective June 1, 2009. It is a federally approved document that includes a machine-readable barcode an radio frequency identification (RFID) chip to speed border crossings.

An EDL meets driving, identification and border-crossing needs and allows you to re-enter the U.S. when traveling by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Please note it is not acceptable for international air travel.

Not all U.S. States and Canadian Provinces issue EDLs. Currently, only the states of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba, issue these enhanced drivers licenses.

Depending on the state, to obtain an Enhanced Driver's License you will need to visit a DMV or a Secretary of State office and provide a series of documents that usually include:

• Your Social Security card
• Proof of citizenship (i.e., your birth certificate)
• Proof of identity and residenc

Fees also apply in order to obtain an EDL.

Source: https://www.dhs.gov/enhanced-drivers-licenses-what-are-they