Gerie wrote: dntw8up, do you think these enhanced driver's licenses will be acceptable when traveling by boat between the USVIs and the BVIs? I'd like to check that out since my John still hasn't gotten his passport. *-)

The Passport Card is not sufficient for air travel between the USVI and the states, so it is no surprise that enhanced DLs are not sufficient for air travel between the USVI and the states. The Passport Card is acceptable for sea travel between the USVI and the BVI, but I doubt enhanced DLs are presently acceptable to BVI and/or USVI Customs.

All you need is a drivers license unless you go yo the BVI's I've been down ther 20 times. You don't need a birth cert. Have a wonderful time!!

Why not take a chance like Princess? You might not be asked. If so, well, stay a while. Seriously, I haven't yet talked my daughter into getting a passport. She and whoever goes with her has to have a raised seal birth certificate and driver's license. If not, they're not staying at my place because it's rented out right after they leave and they can't stay.

When the Princess misses her plane home, can't find a 1 night hotel room and then cannot get a comparable flight for 3 days and must buy a new ticket, one way and expensive, _Only _Because the INS had a problem with her trying to prove citizenship, she may well be carrying a better document than a drivers license.

I think the difference in replies here is that those of that do not recommend trying it with just a drivers license have been there done that so to speak.
I saw a family trying to fly home and getting one heck of a hassle when they did not have anything but a drivers license. We breezed through with our passports and were enjoying an ice cold beer when they came racing through the gate area, dragging kids and bags and barely making their flight.
A good friend on island told me that she dropped of a couple at the airport. Almost 2 hours late they called her, they had such a hassle getting through immigration with their DL's that they missed their flight and needed to stay on STT until the next flight out the next day.
Two very real situations.
Is this the norm? Probably not but why would anyone want to take that chance?

I also do not understand the no passport thing. It is so easy to get one and it makes it so easy to travel. I use it any time I fly, even if it is in the US.

When I first moved here, you were not allowed on the plane in the States without proper ID. Get a passport. What if you get a wild idea to go to Paris to see the Nike of Samothrace? With your passport, all you have to do is buy a ticket!;)

Xislandgirl wrote: I also do not understand the no passport thing. It is so easy to get one and it makes it so easy to travel. I use it any time I fly, even if it is in the US.

Europeans and citizens of just about every other country in the world have carried passports as a "norm" for time immemorial and in fact a study conducted soon after 9/11 showed that US citizens ranked lowest in the world of passport-holders. Such a big fuss about nothing as they're SO easy to obtain!

I think Americans in general are suspicious of anything that hints of, "Do you have your papers?" That may be why we are having such a problem with immigration.

A drivers license only does not prove Citizenship - I have witnessed many a person being pulled aside and questioned for quite a long time as all they had was a drivers license - the last time the gentleman missed his flight - it all depends on the mood of the agent on any given day as to what they require - sometimes it is OK just to have a license others, well not so much.

Pia