The United States Department of Homeland Security claims that “Enhanced Driver’s License” or “Enhanced Identification Card” are acceptable for REAL ID purposes. Therefore, you will be able to use it to travel by plane within the United States.
If you were worried about your State-issued Enhanced Identification Card or Enhanced Driver’s License, you can now be relieved. As a matter of fact they have been designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by the Department of Homeland Security.
REAL ID purposes of enhanced IDs or licenses
Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, Enhanced Driver’s Licenses and Enhanced Identification Cards will be a useful alternative to a REAL ID for these purposes:
- entering a nuclear plant
- accessing federal facilities in the United States
- boarding a commercial aircraft to travel domestically
Bear in mind that not all States issue Enhanced Driver’s Licenses or Enhanced Identification Cards. Nowadays, there are only five States that issue EDLs and EIDs. They are Washington, Vermont, New York, Minnesota, and Michigan.
How can you identify an EDL/EID to know if it is valid for REAL ID purposes?
Bear in mind that it will be really simple to find out if you have an Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced Identification Card. Check if it has an image of the United States flag and the word Enhanced at the top of the DL or ID card.
For your information, starting May 7, 2025, every State and territory resident will have to show a REAL ID compliant license or ID, or another valid form of identification.
Using a passport will be an alternative way to travel without having a REAL ID card. Passport cards are also a great alternative so if you have one, do not forget to take it when you are accessing a Federal facility or boarding a commercial aircraft to travel within the United States.
