I wasnt sure because the real enhanced licenses have a radio frequency chip built inside them. These cards are made for crossing cross the border faster. Comparisons for nexus, edls enhanced drivers licence, and eids enhanced identification card. 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. New alberta drivers licences, id cards with enhanced. 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.
Im 19 years old and they gave me a temporary enhanced license. British columbia drivers licence in order to receive either your bc learners licence or drivers licence, youll need to pass a written exam consisting of 50 multiplechoice questions based on the 2020 bc learn to drive smart manual. 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. The department has worked with canadian provincial and federal officials to pursue enhanced drivers licenses as an alternative to the canadian passport. Jun 04, 2010 sample cards showing key features and hologram motion, etc. Which one is easiest to use and the quickest to obtain. If you plan to use a foreign drivers licence in canada, you should get an international driving permit idp in your home country.
Ontario plans to eliminate enhanced drivers licences used. Enhanced drivers licensesedit an enhanced drivers license or edl currently issued by michigan, minnesota, new york, south dakota, vermont and washington is specifically designed to meet the requirements of the western hemisphere travel initiative to. Jun 06, 2018 the alberta government has rolled out a new design for drivers licences and identification cards. It accepts that license regardless of your citizenship. Cross the border faster these cards are made for crossing. If you would like a bc services card, simply visit any driver licensing office. Enhanced drivers license this is a drivers license that can also be used as a crossborder travel document to enter the u. Ontario government plans to eliminate enhanced drivers. 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. Ontario plans to eliminate enhanced drivers licences used at. Bc drivers licence and services card province of british. If you would like a bc services card, simply visit any driver licensing. Are already enrolled in the medical services plan msp.
There is some bad information about canadian citizens with foreign licenses and foreign vehicles. Please read this guide carefully to ensure you qualify, have the right documentation and understand the application process. Travel to canada with enhanced drivers license and dui. English, enhanced drivers licence in canadian 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 states in the united states and some provinces in canada to people who are both citizens of the country and residents in the.
Can i get into canada from the usa with a drivers license. I havent received my enhanced license in the mail yet. An enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport. How to renew british columbia drivers license online. These provinces earlier agreed to make available enhanced documents such as a driver s licence or an identification card that meets the requirements of the western hemisphere travel initiative, allowing canadian citizens to use the identification to facilitate land or water travel between canada and the united states us. An enhanced drivers licence in canadian english, enhanced drivers license edl in u. Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport.
Bc drivers licence and services card province of british columbia. Do i need an enhanced drivers license to cross the. Aug 02, 2009 nexus pass or enhanced driver s license. If you have a valid licence from your home country, youll probably be able to use this to drive in canada for a short time after you arrive. Check with the government of your province or territory for details.
British columbians can now extend expiring drivers licence. Bc enhanced drivers licence participant guide icbc. Yes, you must surrender your out of state license, be a resident of washington state, and be able to show us proof of residency and citizenship when you apply. I want to take a trip to canada in a few months and i dont have a passport, so im deciding between a nexus pass and an edl. Vancouver canadas first enhanced drivers licences edls will be available in british columbia for use by eligible b. What im a bit more worried about is the bc services card which has your care card number written on the back. The biggest difference is an enhanced id allows you to travel to canada, mexico and some caribbean countries without a passport. 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.
Make or book an appointment for applying edleic via phone or online. Customers looking to renew their drivers licence can. For example, an edl resembles a passport card in that it. Us citizens who are washington state residents are eligible to purchase an enhanced driver license or enhanced id card. Sep 19, 2018 how to renew british columbia drivers license online. Enhanced drivers licences are available to canadian citizens residing in british columbia, 11 manitoba, 12 ontario, and formerly quebec. British columbia renew your enhanced driver license. These provinces earlier agreed to make available enhanced documents such as a drivers licence or an identification card that meets the requirements of the western hemisphere travel initiative, allowing canadian citizens to use the identification to facilitate land or water travel between canada and the united states us. Us passports were previously only required for air travel to these countriespeople traveling by land or sea could simply use their drivers licenses and birth certificates or other proof of citizenship.
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 driver s licence edl andor the enhanced identification card eic. Do i have to get a real id or enhanced drivers license. If your country is not listed above, then you will not be able to exchange your foreign licence for an ontario license. Can i travel to canada by land with a temporary enhanced. Previously, this was a separate card that you never showed to anyone except professionals in the health sector, but now anyone you give your id to can see and possibly note down this number. Explanation of passport, passport card, global entry, enhanced driver license, enhanced identification card, nexus, fast, sentri, visas, canpass. Enhanced road assessment era province of british columbia. This edlid will meet the requirements for proof of citizenship to reenter the us from canada and mexico by land or sea.
Province unveils new alberta drivers licence and id cards. Do i need to pass the knowledge or driving tests to get an enhanced driver license. Regardless of whether you are using a us passport or enhanced drivers license to cross the canadian border, a dui or dwi can make you inadmissible to the country and cause you to be denied entry at the border. Current enhanced driver s license driver s licence plus. British columbians can now extend expiring drivers. The enhanced drivers license is a costeffective and convenient document that meets driving, identification and bordercrossing needs. English, enhanced driver s licence in canadian 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 states in the united states and some provinces in canada to people who are both citizens of the country and residents in the. Enhanced drivers license ask a cruise question cruise. Apply for british columbia enhanced driverslicense or enhanced id card or bcid online. There are many different types of documents you can use to cross the us canada border.
Enhanced driver s licenses edl as the name suggests, an enhanced driver s license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks. Border crossing with temporary enhanced drivers license vancouver forum. Approved alternative to a passport for travel between the u. The province of british columbia and the insurance corporation of british columbia icbc, in cooperation with the canada border services agency cbsa and citizenship and immigration canada cic, are developing an optional enhanced drivers licence edl that will authorize holders to drive and could serve as an alternative to a passport for entry by land or water into the united states. British columbia requires all new resident drivers to take a driving knowledge test and a road test in order to get a bc drivers licence, except for people holding a valid drivers licence from other canadian jurisdictions, austria, australia, france, germany, guernsey, japan, the netherlands, new zealand, south korea, switzerland, taiwan, the. Will that be valid to cross the border by land travel. The alberta government has rolled out a new design for drivers licences and identification cards. The government of canada through the british columbia local government offers driving license renewal to all the eligible residents of british columbia.
The insurance corporation of british columbia icbc is allowing british columbians to extend their expiring drivers licence remotely. Yes canada accepts us drivers licenses as valid, as long as the license itself is valid. Aug 10, 2012 an enhanced driver license edl works doubleduty as a drivers license and a passport. Apply for an enhanced licence, enhanced id card or bcid. It denotes both identity and citizenship, per the western hemisphere travel initiative. Four canadian provinces british columbia, manitoba, ontario, and quebec are issuing edls to canadian citizens.
The edl is available only from designated icbc driver licensing offices. 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. Serviceontario centres in seven border communities, as well as two in toronto, offer the enhanced licence. Like the newer passports, the enhanced drivers license has a radio frequency identification chip to provide stronger identification, so it is whticompliant for land and sea trips to mexico, canada and the caribbean. With it you can enter the united states by land or sea from canada, mexico, or the caribbean without needing any other proof of identification. When renewing an edl, a passport is not accepted as proof of canadian citizenship. The ontario enhanced drivers licence edl is a passport alternative only for ontario drivers who are canadian citizens crossing into the united states at land or water border entry points. How to apply for an ontario enhanced drivers licence. 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.
Can i use my california drivers license in alberta, canada. Enhanced driver s license for international travel. How to get the right id for canada trip the seattle times. Gather all the required supporting documents, prescribed fees for applying edleic. By using this facility canadian driving license holders can renew their existing bc driving license. 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. Mar 24, 2020 the insurance corporation of british columbia icbc is allowing british columbians to extend their expiring drivers licence remotely. Find out if you need a passport book, passport card, or enhanced drivers license. Visit the british columbia driver license official site. If you have a valid edl, you can use it until it is expired or needs to be replaced. By using this facility canadian driving license holders can renew their existing bc.
It is a federally approved document that allows you to reenter the u. Just wondering because i am thinking about going to a convention in vancouver in a few months, but i read somewhere that i need an enhanced drivers license to cross into canada from washington state. Enhanced drivers licence edl and enhanced identification. Enhanced drivers licence enhanced identification card. Current enhanced drivers license drivers licence plus. They also cut the corner of my drivers license off. Are already enrolled in the medical services plan msp qualify for a driver s licence except if you have the enhanced driver s licence edl it cant be combined with a bc services card. Apply for an enhanced licence, enhanced id card or bcid icbc. Ontario is proposing to eliminate an enhanced driver s licence that allows people to enter the united states at land and water border crossings without a passport. What is an enhanced driver license or enhanced id card. Us travel document requirements have changed for americans traveling to canada, mexico or the caribbean by land or sea. Except if you have the enhanced drivers licence edl it cant be. Jan 03, 2018 apply for british columbia enhanced driverslicense or enhanced id card or bcid online. If you are crossing at a land border on foot or in a private vehicle and you are a us citizen, strictly speaking you can enter canada with just a drivers licence and a verbal citizenship declaration so long as the cbsa officer believes you.
Regardless of whether you are using a us passport or enhanced driver s license to cross the canadian border, a dui or dwi can make you inadmissible to the country and cause you to be denied entry at the border. This new licence will encourage closer social ties with our u. Sample cards showing key features and hologram motion, etc. Can i get an enhanced driver license if i have a license from another state but am living in washington while on active military service. Enhanced security features government of nova scotia, canada. An enhanced driver s licence in canadian english, enhanced driver s license edl in u. Mar 29, 2011 enhanced drivers license this is a drivers license that can also be used as a crossborder travel document to enter the u.
May 14, 2019 ontario is proposing to eliminate an enhanced driver s licence that allows people to enter the united states at land and water border crossings without a passport. Do i need an enhanced drivers license to cross the canadian. Enhanced driver license or an enhanced id card edlid applicable to select statesprovinces only, this is different than a real id. Feb 26, 2017 yes canada accepts us drivers licenses as valid, as long as the license itself is valid. Just wondering because i am thinking about going to a convention in vancouver in a few months, but i read somewhere that i need an enhanced driver s license to cross into canada from washington state. Border crossing with temporary enhanced drivers license. Edls are available to canadian citizens residing in british columbia and manitoba, and formerly in ontario and quebec. Since 2006, british columbia has worked with the government of canada and washington state to develop an enhanced drivers licence that will meet the new u. Do i have to get a real id or enhanced driver s license. Canada british columbia vancouver vancouver travel forum. Enhanced driver s licences are available to canadian citizens residing in british columbia, 11 manitoba, 12 ontario, and formerly quebec. Enhanced drivers licenses edl as the name suggests, an enhanced drivers license edl is a driver license with a few extra perks. The manual will cover all the topics you will face on the exam, from safety belt laws to rightofway regulations.
Michigan to offer enhanced drivers license for trips to. Enhanced drivers licenses are only valid for land and marine crossings, however, so you will not be able to fly to canada with one. Once you have accumulated two years of experience, you can sit your g2 road test to get a full ontario driver license in canada. Michigan to offer enhanced drivers license for trips to canada. Types of border crossing documention ezbordercrossing. It is a piece of paper stapled to my drivers license. Do you need a passport to travel to canada or mexico. 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. Enhanced drivers license first time cruisers cruise. Learn how to apply for an enhanced licence edl, enhanced id card eic or bcid. Jun 04, 2012 do i need an enhanced driver s license to cross the canadian border. If you are a resident of canada, how would you qualify for an enhanced driver license of a. The final phase of the whti goes into effect june 1, 2009.