Driver's License Info

APPLYING FOR A MINNESOTA DRIVER’S LICENSE OR STATE IDENTIFICATION

Read about the New Minnesota Driver’s License here.

A pre-application feature in the new driver's license system will allow Minnesotans to enter a significant portion of their driver’s license or ID card application online – including REAL ID applications - reducing the time spent in driver’s license offices.

The new feature, also available on mobile devices, includes the list of required documents for each license type so applicants can have all necessary documents ready when they visit a driver’s license office.

Driver's License Manual

Driver's License Manuals (English language only) and Motorcycle License Manuals are available for purchase at our office or may be accessed online at:

• Minnesota Drivers Manual
• Minnesota Motorcycle Drivers Manual
• Minnesota CDL Manual
• Minnesota Motorcycle, Motorized Bicycle and Electric-Assisted Bicycle Manual

Applying for an Instruction Permit

• Be at least 15 years old.
• Provide proof of completing an approved driver’s education course with behind-the-wheel training.
• Present the required documentation.
• Pass the written DMV exam.
• Pass a vision screening.
• Have a parent or guardian sign the drivers permit application.
• Pay Minnesota driver's license fees.

Under 18

Under 18 If you are under 18 years of age, the supervising driver must be 21 years of age or older, every occupant must wear a seat belt or use a child passenger restraint system, and you may not use, or talk on, a cell phone while driving, with or without a hands-free cell phone device.

18 and older

If you are 18 years of age or older, the supervising driver must be at least 18 years of age and all passengers must wear a seat belt or use a child passenger restraint system. After the required six months of practice driving (three months, if you are 19 years of age or older), you may take the road test. For road test scheduling information, see Chapter 9 of this manual. Before you will be allowed to take the road test, you must present to the driver examiner your valid instruction permit and current proof of insurance on the vehicle. If your instruction permit is lost or expired, you may apply for a new permit. The new permit will be valid for two years from the date of application.

Your Provisional License

The provisional license is the second phase of the GDL system. This license is valid for two years from the application date and has restrictions that do not apply to a full driver’s license. Every occupant must wear a seat belt or use a child passenger restraint system and you may not use, or talk on, a cell phone while driving. This includes using a hands-free cell phone device.

To qualify for your provisional license you must

• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Have completed the classroom and behind-the-wheel phases of driver education.
• Have held an instruction permit for six months with no convictions for moving or alcohol/controlled-subst
• Submit a Supervised Driving Log. Parents/guardians have two options regarding the supervised driving log

— Complete a supplemental parent class provided by a driver education program approved in Minnesota, and then submit a supervised driving log showing their teen has completed at least 40 hours of supervised driving, 15 of which are nighttime hours; OR

— If the parent/guardian chooses to not complete the supplemental parent class, the driving log must show that their teen has completed at least 50 hours of supervised driving, 15 of which are nighttime hours.

• Have passed a road test.

A parent, court appointed guardian, county appointed foster parent or director of the transitional living program in which you reside must sign and 11 Your License to Drive Minnesota Driver’s Manual approve your license application. When you have completed these requirements, you may apply for your provisional license and pay the appropriate fee.

Provisional drivers are subject to nighttime and passenger limitations.

During the first six months of licensure, driving is prohibited from midnight until 5 a.m. unless the provisional driver is

• Accompanied by a licensed driver at least 25 years of age.
• Driving between home and work.
• Driving between home and a school event for which the school does not provide transportation.
• Driving for employment purposes. Additionally, for the first six months of licensure, only one passenger under the age of 20 is permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

During the second six months of licensure, no more than three passengers under the age of 20 are permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Note: Passengers under 20 who are members of the provisional driver’s immediate family are permitted during both time periods.

Getting Your Class D Driver’s License

To qualify for your Class D driver’s license, you must be at least 18 years of age, or have held a provisional license for at least 12 consecutive months 12 Your License to Drive Minnesota Driver’s Manual with no convictions for alcohol violations, controlled-substance violations, or crash-related moving violations, and have had not more than one conviction for a moving violation that is not crash related.

If you are under 18 years of age, you must certify that you have driven for not less than ten hours under the supervision of a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age.

You must complete an application for a driver’s license and pay the license fee. If you upgrade from a provisional license and have no violations on your record, you will receive a $3.50 credit toward the fee.

If you are under 21 years of age, you will receive a license that is marked “under-21”. This license will expire on your 21st birthday. You may apply for an over-21 license three weeks before your 21st birthday. From then on, it will expire every four years on your birthday

Driver's License Renewal

You must submit your current Minnesota driver’s license. A vision test and photo will be taken. Applicants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, unless they have an application with a notarized signature from a parent or legal guardian. As of July 2015 renewal of a commercial driver's license requires proof of citizenship (birth certificate, current passport) and current medical certificate.

Driver's License Duplicate

Please bring a certified document (marriage license, divorce decree) if making a name change on your current Minnesota Driver's License. Applicants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, unless they have an application with a notarized signature from a parent or legal guardian.

Driver's Instruction Permit Renewal

You must submit a current permit. If you are replacing a lost or stolen permit, you must present Proof of Identity. A vision test will be taken. Applicants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, unless they have an application with a notarized signature from their parent or legal guardian.

Minnesota State Identification Card Renewal

Two forms of identification must be submitted (such as birth certificate, social security card) when applying for a state identification. Applicants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, unless they have an application with a notarized signature from their parent or legal guardian.

What is an Enhanced Driver's License?           EDL Required Documentation

• An EDL/EID can be used as a cross-border travel document (in lieu of a passport) to re-enter the U.S. by land and sea, from Canada, Mexico, and some countries in the Caribbean.
• An EDL/EID denotes both identity and citizenship, in accordance with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
• These can be used for domestic air travel and to access federal facilities. Please check with TSA for a list of acceptable identification.
• An EDL/EID is not valid for international air travel.
• An EDL/EID has a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip embedded in the card.
• The RFID chip contains a unique number assigned to each EDL/EID card. It does not include any biometric data (e.g. fingerprints, facial recognition, etc.)
• Several states already offer EDL/EID’s.
• Minnesotans may opt for, but are not required, to obtain an EDL/EID.
• An EDL/EID must be mailed to the Minnesota residential address that appears on the EDL/EID card.

You can apply for an EDL or EID at any time

• At the time your current driver license or ID is due for renewal
• First time application for your driver’s license (and learner’s permit) or non-driver photo ID card
• Replace your current driver’s license prior to the date you are due for renewal, with no change in the expiration date of your license
• At time of application You will be asked to complete an Interview Questionnaire; please allow extra time when applying. An application takes between 3-4 weeks to process.
• Identification Documentation for EDL/EID-Must provide proof of Date of Birth, Full Legal Name, Social Security Number, (non-altered social security card ie., laminated), Photographic Identity, United States Citizenship and Minnesota Residency. View EDL/EID Identification Requirements (PDF).

Renewing an EDL or EID

• Additional documentation is only required if you are changing your name or Minnesota residence address. You will be required to provide Proof of Full Legal Name & Proof of Minnesota Residency. View EDL/EID Identification Requirements (PDF).

What is REAL ID?

REAL ID refers to an act passed by Congress in 2005 to set standards for the issuance of driver’s licenses and identification cards.

It sets the requirements for state driver's licenses and identification cards to be accepted for federal purposes such as boarding an airplane for domestic travel or entering certain secure federal facilities. REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses and identification cards will be available in our office October 2018. Learn more about REAL ID.

Limited License

Some drivers are eligible for limited driving privileges.

Your MN DVS commissioner will let you know whether you’re eligible; generally, drivers who meet the following criteria are eligible for a limited license

• You’ve officially requested a limited driver license.
• You need the license to meet the requirements of your license reinstatement, such as

Ignition Interlock Device (IID) requirements.

Substance abuse counseling or treatment.

• You’ve paid your reinstatement fee.
• Your license isn’t suspended or revoked for criminal vehicular homicide, manslaughter, or fleeing a peace officer.
• You are not applying for a limited Class A, B, C commercial driver license (CDL).
• If you’ve already had a limited driver license in the last 24 months, ½ of your current suspension or revocation period must be complete.
• You need the limited driver license for reasons such as homemaker educational, medical, and nutritional needs.

These include needs for those younger than 18 years old and other dependents in the house.

The MN DVS will inform you of your time limits.

You’re an out-of-state driver with a valid out-of-state license and can present certified copies of driver records from all previous states in which you’ve held licenses.

If your license is revoked, you must also

• Apply for a new MN driver’s license.
• Pay the license fee.
• Pass all required tests.

For more information on limited driver license eligibility and application, contact the DVS

Telephone: (651) 297-3298 

TTYL: (651) 297-3298