April 21, 2008 — For Immediate Release

Department of Licensing Expands Enhanced Driver License/ID Services

One more licensing office to issue EDL/IDs

OLYMPIA — Washington State’s Department of Licensing today announced the first expansion of Enhanced Driver License and Identification Card (EDL/ID) services to the Mount Vernon Licensing Office.

Starting today, the Department of Licensing will add Mount Vernon to the list of participating EDL/ID Licensing Service Offices and will begin scheduling appointments to begin on May 1. “I’m always in favor of putting government services closest to the people they’re intended to serve, so I think DOL expanding their Enhanced Drivers License program to the Mount Vernon Licensing Service Office is a great idea,” said Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, who serves as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “People in the north Puget Sound region are among those most likely to benefit from having an Enhanced Drivers License for crossing the border, so DOL should do whatever it can to make obtaining an EDL as easy and efficient for them as possible.”

It’s been two months since the EDL/ID program was introduced to the public, and business is booming. To date, over 9,500 EDL/ID cards have been issued, and there are close to 22,000 appointments scheduled. “We’ve been working hard to increase capacity in our existing offices and also expand services to Licensing Offices in regions where we’re seeing the highest demand,” said Liz Luce, Director of the Department of Licensing.

By June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens will need a passport, an EDL/ID, or other federally accepted alternate travel document to return to the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Washington is the first state in the nation to embrace the requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative head-on, implement cutting-edge technology, and provide an acceptable alternate travel document to preserve trade and tourism across our borders.

Participation in the EDL/ID program is voluntary. Applicants can call toll-free (866) 520-4365 to make an appointment to apply in-person at 13 participating Licensing Service Offices throughout the state. They need to bring specific documents to prove their U.S. citizenship, identity and Washington state residency. It costs $15 dollars more than a regular driver license or ID card and is valid for land or sea border crossing between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

More information about this new program and the participating Licensing Service Office Locations is available at the DOL’s website at www.dol.wa.gov.