Press Release

9/14/09

Enhanced Driver's Licenses One Year Later:
Erie County Residents Lead New York State

Over 60,000 Applications Processed, 35% of State total

September 16, 2009 marks the one- year anniversary of the issuance of the first Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) in Erie County. The Enhanced Licenses and Enhanced non-driver ID Cards are popular options for Erie County residents. Over 60,000 EDL's, representing 10% of the license holders in Erie County, have been issued to date. This constitutes 35% of the entire New York State total.

"While bridge crossings are down, I was very proud to learn that representatives from the Peace Bridge Authority credit our aggressive community outreach efforts as one of the reasons why Peace Bridge traffic declined only 7% for the year, while the comparable Ambassador Bridge in Detroit fell 10%," said Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul.

"My objective has been to get as many EDLs into customers' hands with as much ease and timeliness as possible, while simultaneously responding to complex new regulations," Hochul said. "Our initial efforts were aimed at encouraging early applications to beat the lines and fee increases that we knew were coming. A sure sign that our customers heeded this message was that almost half of the EDL's issued in Erie County were purchased by drivers who still had time remaining on their existing licenses—we dubbed it the early bird special."

In May, June and July, the Erie County Auto Bureaus averaged 10,000 EDL applications per month. As Fall approaches and the lines are again becoming shorter, "Express EDL" service is once again being offered to groups and organizations of 5 people or more. Information on the program is available at www.erie.gov/clerk or by calling 858-7754.

County Clerk Hochul reminds those who remain undecided about whether to obtain the border documents that with our close proximity to Canada, preparation is key. "You never know if you will score some tickets to a Bills' game in Toronto, get invited to a friend's cottage in Crystal Beach, have business travel or want join a senior trip to Niagara-on-the Lake. The best bet is to be ready," concluded Hochul.