I don't get it - why does Washington State have two different ID cards? - waste my time and money (Tacoma: vehicle registration, insurance)

[mishigas73]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

With the enhanced driver's license, I get shuttled to the pre-cleared line when flying.

I thought that was with Nexus or the TSA pre-check, not with the enhanced license.

[509]

I get shuttled to the pre-cleared line when flying with my passport inside the US.

I ALWAYS get pulled over to the little room when crossing borders or security check points, UNTIL they scan my passport and then I am quickly released.

I wonder what's on the digital data on the passport? I know they don't like my country of birth which is why I get pulled over all the time and held until my passport is scanned. For those upset about profiling......I am a Latino of European origin

[mishigas73]

Originally Posted by 509

I get shuttled to the pre-cleared line when flying with my passport inside the US.

I have yet to be shuttled to that line flying with my passport card. Just coincidence, I think- same with the enhanced license.

[notnamed]

Yeah I've gotten it even with my regular old non-enhanced WA license.

[poopskooper]

What I found interesting is that today, July 1st, the fee for the EDL has jumped from $18 to $54 !!!!

That's a huge increase in price. It's part of the increase in taxes and fees that go into effect today that included the 5-cent a gallon gasoline tax.

So at least the OP saved $36 by getting his EDL before today.

[509]

Originally Posted by mishigas73

I have yet to be shuttled to that line flying with my passport card. Just coincidence, I think- same with the enhanced license.

There is something on that digital chip that has the border folks do a 180 from "go to the little room while we check" you out to "welcome back home" in less than a minute.

[mishigas73]

Originally Posted by 509

There is something on that digital chip that has the border folks do a 180 from "go to the little room while we check" you out to "welcome back home" in less than a minute.

Nothing more than what a passport does.

[SunAndRain808]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

It's for our protection. The state of WA, like many others, gives a drivers license to illegal aliens, so has been determine to not be a valid ID for border crossing or military base entry by the federal government.

Dang, I didn't know what Washington State was that liberal? Giving out driver's license to illegal aliens should be a big no-no. But oh well, we have governments bending over, not doing what the constituents want them to do.

No wonder I was surprised about the process of getting a regular Washington State driver's license. No written exam (unlike other states I've lived in), and the process was super duper simple! Just trade in your former state's driver's license, and you get your Washington State driver's license, the temporary one, within the same day.

[SunAndRain808]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

OP, this is not a big deal. This came about to comply with new federal requirements for security, including security at airports. Consider yourself fortunate; the state where I currently live (NM) doesn't even have the enhanced license option. NM licenses are out of compliance w/fed requirements, and are no good for going through airport security, let alone crossing an international border (Mexico, say). Count your blessings.

Then why can't Washington State's government comply with the new federal regulation regarding driver's license and government-issued ID cards?

I find it absurd that we have to first get the "regular" WA State driver's license, and then after living here for three months, I find out that Ft. Lewis access gates will only accept EDL with the base access pass.

But hey, like you said, it could be worse like you have with your situation with the out-of-cereal-box New Mexico driver's licenses that are not recognized by the US government security check points.

[SunAndRain808]

Originally Posted by mishigas73

It is only a matter of time before there will be a LOT of unhappy people not being able to get through security at Washington airports.

^^ This is really weird situation. Because I thought all state governments issued ID cards, whether state-issued ID cards or driver's licenses, all were acceptable at airports here in the US.

Yes, thank goodness I found out about base access privilege rules that required me to have an EDL. I also found out through the military base office that "regular" WA state driver's license will not be accepted by TSA at all US airports in the near future. Very inconvenient.