Enhanced Driver Licenses Now Available BUFFALO (wned) - Starting today, the Department of Motor Vehicles is issuing "Enhanced Drivers Licenses" to New York State residents.

The new license can be used instead of a passport when travelling by land or sea between the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Carbbean and Bermuda.

The document contains a radio tag that can be read by specialized equipment at border crossings. DMV Commissioner David Swarts says the licenses are secure and contain no personal information.

"It contains no birthdate, no social security number, no client ID. There's a unique identifying number that doesn't relate to anything that is included in that chip," Swarts said.

Applying for an EDL requires a number of documents including proof of identity, citizenship and residency.

They cost $80...more than a regular license but less than a passport...and are valid for 8-years.

The federal government's stricter rules for proof of citizenship take effect in June of 2009.

For more information on the Enhanced Driver License: Click Here © Copyright 2009, wned