This page provides information about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and Enhanced New York State photo driver licenses and non-driver photo ID cards that comply with the WHTI.

As of June 1, 2009, only WHTI approved documents can be used for return to the United States.

NYS now issues a WHTI-Compliant Enhanced driver licenses (EDL) (includes Enhanced learner permits) and Enhanced non-driver photo ID cards (ENDID) to applicants who can prove U.S. citizenship and NYS residency. An EDL or ENDID can be used instead of a passport to return to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean. Contact your travel agent, your cruise line or the specific countries of destination to verify travel document requirements.

An EDL or ENDID is not acceptable for air travel between these countries.

WHTI is a federal rule that regulates which documents U.S. citizens can use when they travel in the Western Hemisphere. You can read more about this initiative at the web site of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

There is an additional fee for an EDL or ENDID, but the fee is less than the fee for a U.S. passport. Because the applicant is required to show proofs of identity, NYS residency and U.S. Citizenship, all applications for EDLs and ENDIDs must be made at a DMV office. You cannot apply by mail, by telephone, or over the Internet.

Learn More

To learn more about the NYS EDL and ENDID, read the EDL FAQs or use the links below. You must have a version number of 7.0 or later of Adobe Acrobat Reader® installed on your computer to use the DMV forms and other PDF documents. The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader® is free at the Adobe web site.