Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R,C,I-Greece) is seeking to keep constituents informed about the new Enhanced Driver License (EDL) offered by the state Department of Motor Vehicles. To date, over 90,000 New Yorkers currently hold an EDL that meets the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requirements that went into effect on June 1, 2009.
“As of June 1, 2009, the WHTI requires all individuals to have federally-approved identification in order to travel into the United States, by land or sea, from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean; United States citizens are not exempt from this law. These new EDLs issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles qualify as a form of this federally-approved identification,” stated Reilich. “In the past, weekend trips to Canada and vacations to Mexico and the Caribbean did not require this documentation, however, it is now imperative that citizens are informed of these new laws before traveling outside of the country.”
If individuals do not have any immediate plans for travel this summer, waiting until after the Labor Day weekend to request an EDL will allow for a much swifter process, due to the heavy request during this summer season. The Department of Motor Vehicles recommends that all individuals seeking more information on EDLs, as well as seeking to obtain an EDL, contact the Monroe County Department of Motor Vehicles by calling (585) 753-1600.