Apply for an enhanced driver's licence

• How do I apply?
• Who can apply?
• What's required to get an EDL?
• What do I bring to my EDL appointment?
• How much does an EDL cost?

How do I apply?

To apply (or reapply) for an enhanced driver's licence (EDL), follow these four steps:

Who can apply?

To be eligible for an EDL you must:

• be a B.C. resident
• be a Canadian citizen
• provide the required documents to prove your identity and citizenship
• be legally entitled to travel outside of Canada (refer to the entitlement-to-travel questionnaire), and
• be 16 or older. 

What's required to get an EDL?

You must meet all of the requirements explained on pages 3–9 of Your Guide to B.C.'s Enhanced Driver's Licence Program (PDF).

Before applying for an EDL, please be sure to read this guide. 

Identification

Here is a summary of the main identification requirements.

To prove your identity and citizenship, you need to provide three pieces of acceptable ID:

• a Canadian birth certificate or Canadian citizenship document 
• a Canadian or U.S. driver's licence, and
• one piece of additional ID.

Your identification documents must

• be originals (not copies)
  
• be legible, and
• not be torn or altered in any way.

Note: We do accept certified true copies of one type of ID only: a marriage certificate issued by a government agency.

B.C. birth certificates

Most—but not all—B.C. birth certificates may be used as ID to apply for an EDL.  

If you intend to use your BC. birth certificate as ID, check the registration number on the certificate first. The registration number must match one of the three formats shown below:

Valid registration numbers for B.C. birth certificates 

Example 1.
Example 2.
Example 3.

If the registration number on your B.C. birth certificate does not match any of these examples, contact B.C.'s Vital Statistics Agency. 

Has your name changed?

If the name on your birth certificate or Canadian citizenship document isn't the same as the name youI use now, you must bring all legal "name-linking" documents showing your name changes to your EDL appointment.

Questions about your ID?

If you’re not sure whether you have acceptable ID, contact any driver licensing office before your EDL appointment.

What do I need to bring to my EDL appointment?

When you go to your appointment to apply for your EDL

• bring all required identification documents, and
• be prepared to answer the questions on this citizenship questionnaire.

Note: if you're under 19, a parent or legal guardian must come with you.

How much does an EDL cost?

See EDL fees »