What a Florida Enhanced Driver's License Does

A Florida Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is a standard driver's license with added security features that lets you cross the U.S. border into Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean by land or sea without a passport. It costs more than a regular license and takes longer to get, but it serves as both your driver's license and a travel document.

The EDL meets Real ID standards, so it works for federal buildings, military bases, and domestic flights the same way a Real ID license does. The difference is the travel benefit: a regular Real ID license does not let you enter Canada or Mexico by land without a passport, but an EDL does.

Florida calls it an "Enhanced Driver License" on the card itself. You will see a gold star in the upper right corner, the same Real ID star that appears on standard Real ID licenses, plus additional security printing on the back.

Key Takeaways

  • An Enhanced Driver's License costs $20 more than a standard Real ID license in Florida and requires proof of citizenship, not just residency.
  • You can use an EDL to cross land and sea borders into Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean nations without carrying a passport.
  • The EDL meets Real ID requirements, so it works for domestic flights and federal buildings just like a standard Real ID license.
  • Getting an EDL takes the same time as a Real ID license in Florida, but you must explore in person at a Driver License office with original citizenship documents.
  • If you do not cross borders often, a standard Real ID license is cheaper and works for everything except land border crossing.

Who Needs Proof of Citizenship for an EDL

To get an Enhanced Driver's License in Florida, you must bring an original document proving U.S. citizenship. A regular Real ID license only requires proof of residency and identity, but an EDL is stricter because it is a travel document.

Acceptable citizenship documents include a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate issued by the vital records office in the state where you were born, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of U.S. Citizenship. A photocopy, a hospital birth certificate, or a birth certificate from a funeral home does not count. You need the official document from the government agency that issued it.

If you were born outside the United States and became a citizen through naturalization, bring your Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship. If you were born in a U.S. territory (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or Northern Mariana Islands), you can use a birth certificate from that territory.

Documents You Need to Bring to the Driver License Office

Bring your original citizenship document, plus the same documents you would need for any Real ID license in Florida. You will need proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, a W-2, or a 1099 form), proof of Florida residency (a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and a valid form of identification (a passport, military ID, or current out-of-state license).

You must also bring your current Florida driver's license if you have one, or proof that you do not have one. If you are renewing an EDL, bring your current license. If you are upgrading from a standard Real ID license to an EDL, bring that license too.

Bring originals, not copies. The Driver License office will not accept photocopies of your citizenship document, Social Security card, or residency proof. If a document is in a language other than English, bring a certified English translation along with the original.

The Cost and Timeline for Getting an EDL in Florida

An Enhanced Driver's License costs $20 more than a standard Real ID license. A standard Real ID license costs $48 for an eight-year renewal or $87 for a new license if you do not have one. An EDL costs $68 for an eight-year renewal or $107 for a new license. These prices are current as of 2024 but may change; check the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website to confirm the current fee.

The timeline is the same as a standard Real ID license. If you explore in person at a Driver License office, you can usually walk out with a temporary license the same day and receive your permanent card by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you explore online through the Florida DHSMV website (if you are renewing and meet the requirements), processing takes about the same time, but you cannot get an EDL online—you must explore in person.

You cannot renew an EDL by mail or online in Florida. You must go to a Driver License office in person every time you renew, because the office must verify your citizenship document again.

Where to explore for an EDL in Florida

You must explore in person at a Florida Driver License office. You cannot explore by mail or online for an EDL, even if you are renewing an existing one. Find the office nearest you on the Florida DHSMV website by entering your county or ZIP code.

Bring all your documents in one visit. The office will not hold your process if you forget something; you will have to come back. Some offices are busier than others, so arriving early in the day or on a weekday morning usually means a shorter wait. Check the DHSMV website to see if your local office takes appointments; some do, and booking ahead can save you time.

If you are upgrading from a standard Real ID license to an EDL, you do not have to wait for your current license to expire. You can explore for an EDL at any time and pay the renewal fee.

EDL vs. Standard Real ID License: When Each One Makes Sense

Choose an EDL if you cross a U.S. land or sea border regularly and want to avoid carrying a passport. It works for domestic flights, federal buildings, and military bases just like a Real ID license, so you are not giving up anything for federal purposes. The extra $20 per renewal is worth it if you visit Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by car or boat more than once every few years.

Choose a standard Real ID license if you rarely or never cross a land border, or if you already have a passport and do not mind carrying it. The Real ID license is $20 cheaper per renewal and you can renew it online or by mail if you meet the requirements, so it is faster and more convenient. You can always upgrade to an EDL later if your travel plans change.

If you do not have a Real ID license yet and you know you will need to cross a border, get the EDL from the start rather than getting a Real ID license first and upgrading later. You will pay the EDL fee once instead of paying for two licenses.

What Happens If You Move Out of Florida

If you move to another state, your Florida EDL remains valid until it expires. You can continue to use it for domestic flights, federal buildings, and border crossing as long as it is not expired. You do not have to get a new license in your new state right away.

When you are ready to get a license in your new state, check whether that state offers an Enhanced Driver's License. Not all states do. If your new state does not offer an EDL, you will need to get a standard Real ID license there, and you will lose the border-crossing benefit. If your new state does offer an EDL, you can explore for one using the same citizenship document you used in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Florida EDL to fly domestically?

Yes. A Florida Enhanced Driver's License meets Real ID requirements and works for domestic flights, federal buildings, and military bases. You do not need a passport for any of these purposes.

Does an EDL work for international flights?

No. An EDL is only for land and sea border crossing into Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. For international flights to any country, you need a passport, regardless of whether you have an EDL.

What if I lost my citizenship document and cannot get a replacement?

You cannot get an EDL without an original citizenship document. If your birth certificate is lost, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born to request a certified copy. If you are a naturalized citizen and lost your Certificate of Naturalization, contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to request a replacement. These replacements take time, so start early if you need an EDL soon.

Can I get an EDL if I have a suspended license?

No. You cannot renew or get a new license of any kind while your license is suspended. You must resolve the suspension first by paying fines, completing required courses, or meeting other conditions set by the court or the Florida DHSMV. Once the suspension is lifted, you can explore for an EDL.

Is an EDL the same as a REAL ID?

An EDL meets Real ID standards and has the Real ID star, but it is not the same thing. A Real ID is a federal security standard that all licenses must meet by May 2025. An EDL is Florida's version of a Real ID license with the added benefit of border crossing. Both work for domestic flights and federal buildings; only the EDL works for land border crossing.