OLYMPIA, Wash. - Governor Gregoire has signed the law creating an "enhanced" driver's license that Washington drivers will be able to use to cross the border with British Columbia, instead of a passport.

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The enhanced driver's license will only work on the Washington-B.C. border.

She also has an agreement with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff that makes Washington the first state to test the border program.

Gregoire says Washington drivers can start getting the $40 enhanced license next year. She says it will have a bar code and a computer chip with information about the driver that can be scanned at the Canadian border. She says it will be cheaper than a passport.

It will only work on the Washington-Canada border.

After June 1, 2009, drivers will be required to show passports or the license when returning from short visits to Canada. Passports are already required for American air travelers arriving from Canada.

Gregoire says she worked on the driver's license with British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell to speed up border traffic, especially in light of the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Now the push is on to have the enhanced license program in place by next January.

If this pilot project is successful here in Washington State, other states may follow suit.