Governor David Paterson announced today New York has come to an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to allow the state to issue Enhanced Drivers Licenses.
The new license, which is being designed by the DMV, can be used in place of a passport at border crossings. It is expected they will be available by the end of the summer.
To get an EDL, New Yorkers will be required to visit a DMV office to provide various proofs of identity and citizenship, which will be verified by the DMV. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant license will cost $30 more than a current state driver license.
The EDL license will not look significantly different from the current document, but it will have additional features to clearly indicate that it is an Enhanced Driver License.
