Ontario Enhanced Driver’s Licence Applicant’s Guide

1 05009E (2013/10) Ontario Enhanced Driver s Licence Applicant s Guide 05009E (2013/10) Introduction Effective June 1, 2009, the United States ( ) government implemented the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which requires all travellers entering the United States to present a passport or other accepted secure document that establishes the bearer s identity and citizenship to enter the at land or water border crossings. The Ontario government worked with the Canadian and United States governments to develop the Ontario Enhanced driver s Licence (EDL) as an accepted secure document under the WHTI.

2 A valid passport or NEXUS card is still required to enter the United States by air. Switching to an Enhanced driver s Licence is a matter of choice. It is ideal for licensed drivers who frequently travel to the by motor vehicle. It is less expensive than a passport and can be conveniently stored inside a wallet just like a regular driver s Licence . This Guide provides more information about the EDL and outlines the requirements and application process to get an Enhanced driver s Licence . If you do not find the information you are looking for, please contact: Monday to Friday 8:30 to 5:00 ServiceOntario contact centre GTA: 416-326-1234 Toll-free (Canada): 1-800-267-8097 TTY GTA: 416-325-3408 TTY Toll-free (Canada): 1-800-268-7095 visit 05009E (2013/10) Enhanced Driver s Licence Table of Contents Section 1: About the Enhanced driver s Licence Section 2: Applying for an Enhanced driver s Licence Section 3: Travelling with an Enhanced driver s Licence Section 4: Replacing a lost or stolen Enhanced driver s Licence Section 5.

3 Changing personal information on an Enhanced driver s Licence Section 6: Renewing an Enhanced driver s Licence Section 7: Frequently asked questions Appendix A: List of acceptable identity documents Appendix B: List of ServiceOntario Enhanced driver s Licence service centres offering the full suite of Enhanced driver s Licence services 05009E (2013/10) Section 1: About the Enhanced driver s Licence What s different about an Enhanced driver s Licence (EDL)? Like your existing driver s Licence , an Enhanced driver s Licence (EDL) allows you to drive under the provision of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. The difference is that the EDL also denotes Canadian citizenship and contains some information and security features that allow you to cross into the United States at land and water border crossings.

4 The EDL card is similar in appearance to the regular Ontario driver s Licence with the addition of the symbol CAN which denotes Canadian citizenship, the title on the card as well as a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) on the back of the card. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip is embedded into the card. The chip, which is not visible, contains a unique identification number only and does not contain any personal information. At the port of entry, an RFID reader will retrieve this reference number and transmit it to the Customs and Border Protection network, when the traveller attempts to enter into the United States.

5 Data encryption, secure networks and firewalls protect the information while it is being transmitted. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses the reference number to query the Ontario EDL records securely stored in Canada by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA retrieves the record and securely sends the information to CBP to help determine the holder s identity and potential admissibility into the United States. A protective sleeve is provided with your EDL card to help shield your personal Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) number. It is recommended that you always keep your EDL card inside the sleeve and only remove it when you are using it at or Canadian ports of entry or if asked by any police officer to show your driver s Licence .

6 05009E (2013/10) How will my personal information be protected? The Ontario Government and the Government of Canada are committed to respecting and protecting your privacy rights. The EDL contains the same state-of-the art fraud prevention measures already in place on the Ontario driver s Licence such as laser engraved photo and signature, a fine line background, 2D barcode, secondary photo and ultraviolet features. The personal information collected and used during the EDL application process will consist of the information you supply on your application forms and questionnaires plus any information used as evidence of identity and citizenship.

7 Personal information related to your EDL application is collected under the authority of the Photo Card Act, 2008. If you have any questions about the collection or use of your personal information collected, please call the Operations Manager, ServiceOntario, at 416-326-1234 (GTA) or toll-free at 1-800-267-8097 (Canada). TTY users please call 416-325-3408 (TTY GTA) or 1-800-268-7095 (TTY toll-free Canada). You may also write to the Supervisor, Ministry of Transportation, Licensing Administration and Support Office, Main Floor, Building A, 1201 Wilson Ave., Downsview ON M3M 1J8. Personal information and access to that information is protected under the statutes of the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act.

8 For federal information and privacy protection enquiries, you may contact the Canada Border Services Agency at 1-800-461-9999 or at or Citizenship and Immigration Canada at Citizenship and Immigration Canada 1-888-242-2100 or online at For United States privacy protection enquiries, you may contact the Customs and Border Protection at What s the difference between an Enhanced driver s Licence and a passport? A passport is an acceptable travel document for entry into the United States as well as other countries by land, water and air modes. The Ontario EDL is acceptable for entry into the by land and water only, , by car, train, bus or boat.

9 An EDL is not acceptable if you enter the by air mode. Countries other than the may not necessarily accept the EDL as sufficient identification and you should always check entry requirements of other countries you may be visiting before leaving Canada. 05009E (2013/10) Section 2: Applying for an Enhanced driver s Licence Eligibility requirements There are certain basic criteria that you must meet to qualify for an EDL, you must: be a Canadian citizen by birth or naturalization hold a valid Ontario driver s Licence (standalone M1 Licence holders are not eligible), and be an Ontario resident. In addition, there must be no restrictions to your ability to travel outside of Canada due to any government-ordered travel restrictions.

10 For more information, please refer to the Entitlement to Travel Questionnaire. Step by step application process To apply for an EDL, you must make an appointment and attend an in-person interview at a ServiceOntario centre that offers the full suite of EDL services. 1. Booking an appointment Appointments must be booked prior to attending an EDL service centre. You can book an appointment online at or by phoning ServiceOntario at 416-326-1234 (GTA) or 1-800-267-8097 (toll-free). TTY users please call 416-325-3408 (TTY GTA) or 1-800-268-7095 (TTY toll-free Canada). You will be required to input your driver s Licence number when you are booking an appointment.