Driving Tests

Washington Enhanced Driver License vs Standard License (REAL ID)

informational·how to guide·Published April 19, 2026

Is my Washington driver license REAL ID compliant?

No. A standard Washington license is not REAL ID compliant. It is marked "Federal limits Apply", and since May 7, 2025 you cannot use it to board a domestic flight. The Washington enhanced driver license (EDL) is the REAL ID-compliant card, for U.S. citizens only. A first EDL costs $153 for 6 years or $187 for 8 years. An upgrade costs $7 for each year left on your license.

Where these Washington REAL ID rules come from

The rules come from the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) REAL ID page, the DOL page on how to get an EDL and the DOL driver licensing fees page. The DOL EDL guide, the 2025 Washington Driver Guide and the DOL moving page back up the details. This guide is current as of 2026. The DOL fee list gives a general idea of what you pay. Confirm the rules with the Washington State Department of Licensing (dol.wa.gov) before you drive.

Standard license vs EDL in Washington

Standard license vs EDL in Washington
Question	Standard license	Enhanced driver license (EDL)
REAL ID compliant?	No	Yes
Card marking	"Federal limits Apply" (since July 2018)	U.S. flag marking instead of a star
Domestic flights	Not accepted	Accepted, the same as a star REAL ID card
Driving	Valid	Valid. It is also your driver license.
Land and sea re-entry to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean	Not valid	Accepted in place of a passport or passport card
International flights	Not valid	Not accepted
Who can get it	Washington residents who qualify	U.S. citizens who live in Washington

What a standard Washington license still does

A standard license still lets you drive, and a standard ID card is still valid ID inside Washington. Driving across state lines and taking a train do not need a REAL ID-compliant card. You also do not need REAL ID to vote or to get federal benefits such as Social Security. DOL still issues standard licenses, so you can keep one if you do not fly or if you have other ID for flights.

Who can get a Washington EDL?

Only U.S. citizens who can prove citizenship can get an EDL. A green card or work visa does not qualify. You must be a Washington resident and show proof of residency. You also give your Social Security number, but you do not need to show the card. Washington also issues an enhanced ID card (EID) under the same citizen rules.

How to get an EDL in Washington

1
Gather your documents
You need proof of citizenship, proof of identity and proof of Washington residency, plus your Social Security number. The DOL online enhanced document tool and printable checklists show what to bring. The standard proof-of-identity list is for standard licenses only.
2
Make an appointment
Book a visit to a driver licensing office. You apply in person. Offices accept applications up to 60 minutes before closing, so leave enough time.
3
Meet DOL staff
Staff review your documents, interview you and take your photo.
4
Pay the fee
Bring payment for the fee. The cost table below gives the amount for a first license, a renewal and an upgrade.
5
Wait for the card
You get a temporary EDL before you leave, but it does not work at border crossings. Plan for the card to come by mail 2 to 3 weeks after DOL approves the application.

Washington EDL cost vs standard license cost

Washington EDL cost vs standard license cost
Fee (U.S. dollars, 2026)	Standard license	EDL	EDL costs more by
First license, 6 years	$111	$153	$42
First license, 8 years	$131	$187	$56
Renewal, 6 years	$61	$103	$42
Renewal, 8 years	$81	$137	$56

What does a first EDL fee include?

The first EDL fee is a $50 application fee, a $17 issuance fee for each year and a $1 technology fee. The standard issuance fee is $10 a year. That $7 gap per year is why the EDL costs $42 more over 6 years ($7 x 6) and $56 more over 8 years ($7 x 8). If you lose your EDL, a replacement costs $20.

Worked example: upgrade a license you already have

An upgrade of your current Washington license costs $7 for each year left on it, which is $7 to $56 in total. Say your license has 3 years left: 3 x $7 = $21. If it has 6 years left: 6 x $7 = $42. Use the expiration date on your own license for your number.

Other ID that works for flights besides an EDL

U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
Foreign passport
Enhanced ID card (EID)
U.S. military ID
Permanent resident card (green card)
USCIS Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
Federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID
Border Crossing Card

Do you need an EDL?

You fly inside the U.S. and have no passport or other listed ID

Get an EDL (if you are a U.S. citizen) or another REAL ID-compliant document before you fly.

You already have a U.S. passport

You may not need an EDL. The passport works for domestic flights.

You only drive, vote or collect federal benefits

A standard license is enough.

You drive back from Canada or Mexico, or return by sea from Bermuda or the Caribbean

An EDL lets you re-enter the U.S. in place of a passport or passport card.

You are not a U.S. citizen

You cannot get an EDL. For flights, use a green card, a foreign passport or another document from the list above.

Moving to Washington: standard or EDL?

You have 30 days after you move to Washington to get your Washington driver license. At the office, you choose a standard license or an EDL, and the EDL has extra requirements. Read the full steps in the guide to moving to Washington and getting a license. Test yourself on the 30-day rule with the free practice question on the new-resident license deadline.

Key takeaways

A standard Washington license is not REAL ID compliant. You can still drive with it, and you do not need REAL ID to vote or to get federal benefits.
The EDL is Washington's REAL ID card. Only U.S. citizens who live in Washington can get one.
A first EDL costs $153 (6 years) or $187 (8 years). An upgrade costs $7 for each year left on your license.
With a U.S. passport or other listed ID, you may not need an EDL for domestic flights.
Next step: practice for your Washington knowledge test on the free Washington personal driver practice test.

Washington EDL: common questions

Can I get a Washington EDL if I am in the military with an out-of-state license?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen. If you live in Washington on active military service and have a license from another state, you can get an EDL. You surrender the out-of-state license, and you show proof of Washington residency and citizenship. If you have a Washington license with a "military" expiration, the $7-a-year upgrade is not available.

Can I enter a federal building with a standard Washington license?

Usually not. Adults 18 and older need REAL ID-compliant ID or other acceptable ID to enter most federal facilities. You do not need REAL ID to enter a federal facility that does not ask for ID for general access, to get health- or life-preserving services, or to enter a police station or ask the police for help.

Can I fly to Canada with my EDL?

No. An EDL is not valid for international flights, and it is not valid for air travel back from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean. You can use it only when you return to the U.S. by land or by sea, for example when you drive back across the border from Canada.

Does my child need REAL ID to fly inside the U.S.?

No. TSA does not require children under 18 to show ID when they travel within the United States. Your airline can have its own ID requirements for travelers under 18, so contact the airline before the trip.

Does the Washington EDL have a chip with my personal information?

The EDL has a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that speeds up checks at the border. The tag holds only a unique reference number, not your personal information. It is a Class C felony to read information from someone's EDL without their knowledge or consent. If you tamper with or switch off the tag, you cannot use the card at a border crossing.