Washington RVers Can Enhance Their Driver License for Mexi-Travel

Ever since Uncle Sam decreed that a passport or passport card would be required to return from Mexico by "ground entry," there's been an off-again on-again flurry of activity to make the system work. Passports are expensive critters, particularly if you don't plan on going anywhere but Mexico or Canada by ground or sea. Now Washington State makes it possible to pass the border checkpoints with your Washington driver license.

Under the new program, Washington residents can get an "enhanced" driver license or identification card with the required electronic chip that Border Patrol officials can read with their sophisticated equipment. If you already have a standard driver license or ID card, for another $15 you can add the enhancement features.

There are a few "catches," involved. You'll need to apply in person at one of the state's participating driver license stations, and provide proof of birth, residency, etc. You'll also need to agree to having the chip in your new card, and agree to a biometric scan. The latter is a process where a photo of your face (without glass or head covering) is made, and computerized measurements are taken from the photo and entered into a database. This will prevent anybody that kind of "looks like you" from snagging your license and trying to pass themselves off as you.

The new enhanced driver license or ID card will be good for travel into both Canada and Mexico.