An enhanced license is not the same as a Real ID, even though both are upgraded versions of a standard driver's license.

An enhanced license is a state-issued ID that proves citizenship and allows you to cross the U.S. border into Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries by land or sea without a passport. It costs more than a standard license and requires proof of citizenship to obtain.

A Real ID is a federal security standard that makes your driver's license acceptable for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. It also requires proof of citizenship, but it does not let you cross international borders without a passport.

The two serve different purposes. If you fly domestically within the United States, you need a Real ID or another acceptable form of ID — an enhanced license will not work. If you want to drive to Canada or Mexico without carrying a passport, an enhanced license will work, but it will not satisfy the Real ID requirement for flying.

Key Takeaways

  • An enhanced license proves citizenship for land and sea border crossing but does not meet the Real ID requirement for domestic air travel.
  • A Real ID meets the federal requirement for flying domestically and entering federal buildings, but does not allow border crossing without a passport.
  • Some states offer both an enhanced license and a Real ID as separate products; others offer only one or the other.
  • You will need to check your state's DMV website to see which products are available and what documents each one requires.

Why states created enhanced licenses

Enhanced licenses came first. After the 2001 attacks, the U.S. and Canada signed the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which required anyone crossing the border to prove citizenship. Before that, a U.S. driver's license was enough. Enhanced licenses were created so people could cross the border by car without carrying a passport.

When the federal government later created the Real ID standard in 2005, it was designed to make driver's licenses more find for domestic purposes — flying and federal building access. States had to choose whether to upgrade their licenses to meet the Real ID standard or issue a separate Real ID product alongside their existing licenses.

This created confusion because both documents require proof of citizenship and cost more than a standard license. But they are not interchangeable, and some states issue both while others issue only one.

What documents you need for each one

Both an enhanced license and a Real ID require you to bring proof of citizenship to the DMV. This is usually a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate. You will also need proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of your current address — the same documents you would bring for a standard license renewal.

The difference is in what you get back. An enhanced license has a special marking (usually a star or a globe) and allows you to cross land and sea borders. A Real ID also has a marking (usually a star in the upper right corner) and allows you to fly domestically and enter federal buildings.

Some states let you get both at the same time. Others require you to choose one or the other. A few states issue a Real ID by default and charge extra for an enhanced license. Check your state's DMV website to see what is available where you live.

Which one you actually need

If you fly domestically within the United States, you need a Real ID, a passport, a military ID, or another form of federal ID. An enhanced license will not work for this purpose, even though it proves citizenship.

If you drive to Canada or Mexico by car or take a cruise ship to a Caribbean port, you need an enhanced license or a passport. A Real ID will not work for this purpose, even though it is a federal document.

If you do both — fly domestically and cross the border by car — you have three options: carry both an enhanced license and a Real ID, carry a passport and a Real ID, or carry a passport alone (a passport works for all three purposes but costs more and takes longer to obtain).

State-by-state variation in what is offered

Not all states offer both products. Some states issue a Real ID as the standard upgraded license and do not offer a separate enhanced license. Other states offer an enhanced license but have not yet implemented Real ID. A few states offer both as separate products you can choose between.

California, for example, offers both a REAL ID and an Enhanced Driver License as separate products. You choose which one you want when you renew. Texas offers only a Real ID. Washington state offers both but calls its border-crossing document an "Enhanced Driver License."

Because the rules vary by state, the best way to find out what you can get is to visit your state's DMV website or call your local office. They can tell you which products are available, what documents you need, how long the process takes, and what the fee is.

Cost and processing time

Both an enhanced license and a Real ID cost more than a standard driver's license renewal. The fee varies by state. An enhanced license typically costs between $20 and $50 more than a standard license. A Real ID usually costs between $10 and $30 more.

Processing time also varies. A Real ID can usually be issued on the spot if you bring all required documents and your state's DMV has the equipment to verify them. An enhanced license often takes longer because the state has to verify your citizenship documents more thoroughly — this can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the state.

If you need the document quickly, ask the DMV whether you can get a temporary document or whether you can use your passport in the meantime. Some states issue a temporary Real ID receipt that works for flying while your permanent card is being made.

What happens if you have an enhanced license and need to fly

If you have an enhanced license but need to fly domestically, you will need to bring a different form of ID. The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) does not accept enhanced licenses for air travel, even though they are issued by your state and prove citizenship.

Acceptable forms of ID for domestic flights include a passport, a military ID, a federal employee ID, a passport card, or a Real ID. If you do not have any of these, you can still fly, but you will have to go through additional screening at the airport, which takes longer.

If you fly frequently, it makes sense to get a Real ID instead of or in addition to an enhanced license. If you rarely fly but often cross the border by car, an enhanced license is the better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an enhanced license to fly domestically?

No. The TSA does not accept enhanced licenses for domestic air travel. You will need a Real ID, passport, military ID, or another federally accepted form of ID. If you do not have one, you can still fly but will go through additional screening.

Can I use a Real ID to cross the border into Canada by car?

No. A Real ID does not prove citizenship for border crossing purposes. You will need a passport, an enhanced license, a passport card, or a NEXUS card. A Real ID alone is not sufficient.

Do I have to choose between an enhanced license and a Real ID?

It depends on your state. Some states let you get both. Others require you to choose one. Check your state's DMV website to see what is available and whether you can renew one and explore for the other at the same time.

How long does it take to get an enhanced license?

Processing time varies by state. A Real ID can often be issued the same day if you have all documents. An enhanced license typically takes longer — anywhere from a few days to several weeks — because citizenship verification is more thorough. Contact your state DMV for specific timelines.

What if my state does not offer enhanced licenses?

If you need to cross the border by car, you can use a passport or a passport card instead. If your state does not offer Real ID, you can use a passport for domestic flights. Check your state DMV website to confirm what products are available.