Florida to Offer Enhanced Driver’s Licenses for International Travel
In a move to make international travel easier for Florida residents, the state will soon begin offering enhanced driver’s licenses that comply with new federal guidelines for passport-free travel to certain countries. These enhanced licenses will be equipped with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip that can be scanned at border crossings and are designed to streamline the process of crossing into Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries.
The new enhanced driver’s licenses are part of a larger effort to improve security and efficiency at border crossings while also reducing the need for travelers to carry multiple forms of identification. Currently, Florida residents who wish to travel to Canada or Mexico by land or sea must present either a passport or a passport card, in addition to their driver’s license.
“With the new enhanced driver’s licenses, Florida residents will be able to travel to Canada, Mexico, and select Caribbean countries without having to carry a passport,” said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. “This will not only benefit travelers by making the process easier and faster, but it will also enhance security at our borders.”
To obtain an enhanced driver’s license, Florida residents will need to apply in person at a designated Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office and provide proof of identity, citizenship, and residency. The cost of the enhanced driver’s license will be higher than a standard driver’s license to cover the additional security features and processing fees.
The introduction of enhanced driver’s licenses in Florida comes as the federal government is implementing new standards for secure identification documents under the REAL ID Act, which was passed in 2005 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The REAL ID Act sets minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards, and it requires states to verify the identity and citizenship of license holders.
In addition to the enhanced driver’s license option, Florida will also continue to offer standard driver’s licenses that are compliant with the REAL ID Act. These standard licenses will still be accepted for domestic air travel and entry into federal facilities, but they will not be valid for passport-free travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Some privacy advocates have raised concerns about the use of RFID technology in the enhanced driver’s licenses, citing potential risks of data breaches and unauthorized tracking of individuals. However, state officials have assured residents that the RFID chips will only contain basic information such as name, date of birth, and citizenship status, and that safeguards will be in place to protect the data from misuse.
“We understand the concerns about privacy and security, which is why we have taken steps to ensure that the RFID technology in the enhanced driver’s licenses is secure and limited in its capabilities,” said a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. “We are committed to protecting the personal information of our residents while also providing them with a convenient and efficient travel option.”
The enhanced driver’s licenses are expected to be available to Florida residents starting in the fall of 2022, and residents who wish to obtain one are encouraged to begin the application process early to avoid any delays. With the introduction of these new travel documents, Florida joins a growing number of states that are offering enhanced driver’s licenses as an alternative to traditional passports for certain types of international travel.
