Enhanced Driver's Licenses

The Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) is a new identification document proposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship in order to satisfy the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) passed in 2004. While the Enhanced Driver's License is essentially a state-issued identity document similar to the conventional driver’s license, it also carries a long-range Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) computer chip, a technology that has significant privacy and security problems.

EDL’s contain a unique identifying number encoded in the RFID chip, which can be easily read and tracked up to 30 feet away without an individual’s knowledge or consent. A report released by RSA confirmed the many vulnerabilities of the RFID technology behind Enhanced Driver's Licenses and strongly recommended that DHS “switch to another technology” that would have “stronger security and privacy properties.”

DHS has been urging border states to begin distributing the Enhanced Driver's License. Washington has started to distribute EDLs. Vermont, and Arizona have committed to producing EDLs and New York has signed a Memoranda of Agreement to move forward. DHS is currently in talks with Michigan, Texas, and California. 

The ACLU of Northern California is committed to protecting the privacy of individuals from this troubling technology and opposes DHS’ proposal for California to also adopt the Enhanced Driver's License.

Read more about RFID technology’s privacy implications here.