On July 1, 2018 Washington will begin issuing a new Enhanced Driver License and Enhanced Identification Card. The EDL and EID are compliant with the REAL ID act, meeting TSA security requirements for travel documents. The enhanced security is a requirement for entering federal facilities and TSA for domestic air travel. In addition, the new cards contain an RFID chip allowing them to be used in place of a US Passport for reentry by land or sea to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Participation in the program is voluntary. Washington residents may still apply for a non compliant Driver License or Identification Card, but they will not be valid identification for entering federal facilities, domestic air travel or in place of a passport after October 1, 2020. The compliant Enhanced cards and non compliant cards will be distinguished by the words “Enhanced” or “Federal Limits Apply” in the upper right corner.
Washington Enhanced Driver License
For more information on Washington’s new EDL and EID please visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website.