

If you need a US passport, you should apply well before you plan to leave the country. So, unless you are only planning to drive a little way into Canada, it’s a good idea to carry a US passport with you anyway. Also, unlike a passport, an enhanced driver’s license is not valid for international air travel at all. However, it can not be used for travel anywhere else. For example, it can be used to travel across the Canadian or Mexican border by land or sea, or to travel to and from the Caribbean by sea.

However, there are some key differences between an enhanced driver’s license and a US passport, and it’s important to know what they are so that you can make an informed decision about which document to carry.Īn enhanced driver’s license is only a valid substitute for a US passport in a few specific circumstances. That’s choking off economic activity and travel vital to northland communities and businesses.” “Right now to cross the border, Minnesotans have to pay $100 for a passport or $45 for a passport card just to cross the border.

Roger Reinert, the co-author of the bill, explained why he feels that the EDL option is important and valuable: In an article on local ABC affiliate, Minnesota state Rep. That makes it a much cheaper option than getting a US passport. The new license will cost an extra $15 above and beyond the normal costs for getting a license in Minnesota. According to this article on, Minnesotans will soon be able to purchase an enhanced driver’s license, which can be used instead of a US passport to cross the border into Mexico or Canada.
