Get your EDL/EID

The enhanced driver license (EDL) or enhanced ID card (EID) confirms your identity and U.S. citizenship. It's acceptable for re-entry into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean through a land or sea border crossing. The EDL/EID is also an acceptable REAL ID document to use for air travel within the United States.

Requirements

Proof of citizenship, identity, and residence

When you apply, you establish your identity, U.S. citizenship, social security number, and WA residence. See Proof of citizenship, identity, and residence. Use our helpful tool to find out which documents you'll need or get a checklist in Español: 

• Solicitando una licencia o identificación mejorada en Washington

Once enhanced requirements are met, we can issue an EDL to a qualified driver at least 16 years old. We can issue an EID to a qualified customer of any age.

Be prepared

Plan ahead for your office visit

• Make an appointment to apply at a driver licensing office.
• Applications are accepted up to 60 minutes before closing. Allow enough time to complete the process (document and in-person interview) for you and each family member.
• Allow 2 weeks to receive your permanent EDL/EID in the mail. You'll get a temporary EDL before you leave, but you can't use it at border crossings.

Bring everything you'll need

Bring all of the following to the driver licensing office:

• All of the documents required for proof of citizenship, identity, and residence. If your name has changed, bring documentation of the name change(s).
  • Use our helpful tool to find out which documents you'll need.
  • Get a checklist in Español: Solicitando una licencia o identificación mejorada en Washington.
• Payment for the fee.

Getting your enhanced driver license

You may pre-apply online.

If you're getting your first driver license:

1. Decide which driver licensing office you'll visit:
   • Applications are accepted up to 60 minutes before closing. Allow enough time to complete the process (document and in-person interview) for you and each family member.
2. Bring the following:
   • Proof of citizenship, identity, and residence.
   • Payment for the fee.
3. We'll need:
   • Your Washington resident address and phone number.
   • Your height, weight and eye color.
   • Your place of birth.
   • A physical and mental fitness statement.
   • Previous driver license or ID information, if any.
   • Suspensions, revocations, or cancellations of prior driver licenses, if any.
4. Have your photo taken.
5. Pass a vision screening.
6. Pass the knowledge and drive test at any driver training and testing location.
7. Complete a questionnaire and sign a declaration saying we gave you materials describing:
   • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in enhanced driver license/ID cards.
     • FAQ: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
     • What is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
8. Complete your interview and pay the fee.

If you have a valid Washington State driver license:

1. Decide which driver licensing office you'll visit:
   • Applications are accepted up to 60 minutes before closing. Allow enough time to complete the process (document and in-person interview) for you and each family member.
2. Bring the following:
   • Proof of citizenship, identity, and residence.
   • Payment for the fee.
3. We'll need:
   • Your Washington resident address and phone number.
   • A physical description, (height, weight and eye color).
   • Your place of birth.
   • A physical and mental fitness statement.
   • Previous driver license or ID information, if any.
   • Suspensions, revocations, or cancellations of prior driver licenses, if any.
4. Have your photo taken.
5. Pass a vision screening and demonstration of color recognition.
6. You won't need to take a knowledge or drive test unless you have a medical or physical condition that requires testing.
7. Complete a questionnaire and sign a declaration saying we gave you materials describing:
   • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the enhanced driver license/ID cards:
     • FAQ: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
     • What is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
8. Complete your interview and pay the fee.
9. Turn in your standard WA driver license.

If you have a valid license from another state:

1. Decide which driver licensing office you'll visit:
   • Applications are accepted up to 60 minutes before closing. Allow enough time to complete the process (document and in-person interview) for you and each family member.
2. Bring the following:
   • Your out-of-state license.
   • Proof of citizenship, identity, and residence.
   • Payment for the fee.
3. We'll need:
   • Your Washington resident address and phone number.
   • A physical description, (height, weight and eye color).
   • Your place of birth.
   • A physical and mental fitness statement.
   • Previous driver license or ID information, if any.
   • Suspensions, revocations, or cancellations of prior driver licenses, if any.
4. Have your photo taken.
5. Pass a vision screening.
6. You won’t need to take a knowledge or drive test unless you have a medical or physical condition that requires testing.
7. Complete a questionnaire and sign a declaration saying we gave you materials describing:
   • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in enhanced driver license/ID cards.
     • FAQ: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
     • What is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
8. Complete your interview and pay the fee.
9. Turn in your out-of-state driver license.

If you have an expired license from another state:

1. Decide which driver licensing office you'll visit:
   • Applications are accepted up to 60 minutes before closing. Allow enough time to complete the process (document and in-person interview) for you and each family member.
2. Bring the following:
   • Your out-of-state license.
   • Proof of citizenship, identity, and residence.
   • Payment for the fees.
3. Complete a driver license application, which includes:
   • Your Washington resident address and phone number.
   • A physical description, (height, weight and eye color).
   • Your place of birth.
   • A physical and mental fitness statement.
   • Previous driver license or ID information, if any.
   • Suspensions, revocations, or cancellations of prior driver licenses, if any.
4. Have your photo taken.
5. Pass a vision screening.
6. Pass the knowledge and drive test at any driver training and testing location.
7. Complete a questionnaire and sign a declaration saying we gave you materials describing:
   • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the enhanced driver license/ID cards:
     • FAQ: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
     • What is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
8. Complete your interview and pay the fee.

Related information

• Facial recognition
• Tips for visiting a driver licensing office
• REAL ID

Questions? Need help?

Call us: 360.902.3900 (TTY: Call 711)