What an Enhanced Driver License Is

An Enhanced Driver License (EDL) in Washington State is a standard driver license with extra security features and a special marking that proves you meet federal Real ID standards. It looks like a regular license but includes an enhanced security chip and a distinctive marking — usually a star or other symbol — that identifies it as Real ID-compliant.

The main reason to get an EDL is that it works for federal purposes without needing a separate Real ID document. You can use it to board domestic flights, enter federal buildings, and access military bases. If you don't have an EDL or a passport, you'll need a separate Real ID-compliant document to do these things after the federal important date passes.

Washington State offers the EDL as one way to meet Real ID requirements, but it's not the only way. You can also get a standard Real ID-compliant driver license, which works for everything except crossing the land border into Canada or Mexico by car — the EDL works for that too, which is why some people prefer it.

Key Takeaways

  • An Enhanced Driver License is a Real ID-compliant license that also works for land border crossings into Canada and Mexico, making it more versatile than a standard Real ID license.
  • You must bring original or certified documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and Washington State residency to the Department of Licensing office.
  • The EDL costs more than a standard license — the exact fee depends on how long you want the license to last, but expect to pay roughly $20 to $30 more.
  • Processing takes about two to four weeks, and you'll receive your EDL by mail; you cannot pick it up in person on the same day.
  • If you already have a standard driver license, you can renew it as an EDL at your next renewal, or you can switch to an EDL before your current license expires.

Documents You Need to Bring

Washington State requires you to bring original documents or certified copies — not photocopies. You'll need proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof that you live in Washington. The state accepts different documents for each category, so you have some flexibility depending on what you have on hand.

For identity, bring a U.S. passport, passport card, certified birth certificate, or foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa. For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. For Washington residency, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill dated within the last 60 days — it must show your name and current address.

You'll also need to bring your current driver license or state ID card. If you're renewing an expired license, bring that expired license along with the other documents. Bring the originals; the Department of Licensing will examine them but return them to you.

how the process works at a Department of Licensing Office

Visit any Department of Licensing office in Washington State during business hours. You do not need an appointment, though some offices accept them and some do not — check the office's website first to see if walk-ins are welcome or if you should book a time slot.

Bring all your documents and your current license. Tell the staff member you want to explore for an Enhanced Driver License. They will verify your documents, take a new photo, and collect your fee. You'll sign the process in front of the staff member. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

After you explore, you cannot pick up your EDL the same day. Washington State mails all EDLs to your address on file, which takes about two to four weeks. You'll receive a temporary paper license at the office that you can use while you wait for your EDL to arrive.

Cost and Validity Period

The fee for an Enhanced Driver License depends on how long you want it to be valid. Washington offers EDLs that last 5 years or 8 years. The 5-year EDL costs less than the 8-year version. Exact fees change year to year, so call your local Department of Licensing office or check the state website for the current price before you go.

When you renew your EDL, you can choose to renew it as an EDL again, or you can downgrade to a standard Real ID license if you no longer need the border-crossing feature. You can also upgrade a standard Real ID license to an EDL at renewal time.

Renewing Your Enhanced Driver License

You can renew your EDL by mail, online, or in person at a Department of Licensing office. The method you use depends on whether your license has expired and whether you need a new photo.

If your license is not yet expired and you don't need a new photo, you can renew online or by mail without visiting an office. If your license has expired or you need a new photo, you must renew in person. When you renew in person, bring the same documents you brought when you first applied — original identity, Social Security, and residency proof.

Renewal by mail or online is faster than explore for a new EDL. Mail renewal takes about two weeks; online renewal is similar. In-person renewal takes two to four weeks because the license is mailed to you.

Enhanced Driver License vs. Standard Real ID License

Both the Enhanced Driver License and the standard Real ID-compliant driver license meet federal Real ID requirements for domestic flights and federal buildings. The key difference is land border travel: an EDL works for driving into Canada or Mexico by car, while a standard Real ID license does not.

If you never cross the land border into Canada or Mexico, a standard Real ID license is less expensive and serves the same federal purpose. If you cross the border by car even occasionally, the EDL is worth the extra cost because you won't need a passport or passport card.

Both licenses have the same security features and the same Real ID marking. Both are issued by the Department of Licensing and mailed to you — you cannot pick either one up the same day.

What Happens If You Don't Get an Enhanced Driver License

You are not required to get an Enhanced Driver License. You can get a standard Real ID-compliant driver license instead, which costs less and works for federal purposes like flying domestically and entering federal buildings.

If you don't get either an EDL or a Real ID license, you can still drive in Washington — a standard non-compliant license is valid for driving. However, you won't be able to use your license alone to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. You would need to bring a passport, passport card, or other Real ID-compliant document instead.

The choice between an EDL, a standard Real ID license, and a non-compliant license depends on your travel plans and how often you cross federal borders or fly domestically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an Enhanced Driver License if I have a suspended or revoked license?

No. You must have a valid, unsuspended driver license to get an EDL. If your license is suspended or revoked, you must resolve that issue with the Department of Licensing first. Once your license is valid again, you can then explore for an EDL.

Do I need to take a driving test to get an Enhanced Driver License?

No. An EDL is a renewal or upgrade of your existing license, not a new license. You do not take a written test or a road test. You only need to bring your documents and pay the fee.

What if I move out of Washington after I get an Enhanced Driver License?

Your EDL remains valid until it expires, even if you move to another state. However, you cannot renew it by mail or online once you no longer live in Washington. You would need to visit a Department of Licensing office in person to renew it, or you can switch to a license in your new state.

Can I upgrade my standard Real ID license to an Enhanced Driver License before my renewal date?

Yes. You can visit a Department of Licensing office and explore for an EDL even if your current license has not expired yet. You'll pay the EDL fee, and your new EDL will be mailed to you. Your old license will no longer be valid once your EDL arrives.

How do I know if my current license is Real ID-compliant?

Look at your license for a star or other distinctive marking in the upper right corner or another prominent location. If you see that marking, your license is Real ID-compliant. If you're unsure, call the Department of Licensing or check your license details online through your account on the state website.