SF4779

Purpose

• This bill would change Minnesota laws about issuing driver licenses and state identification cards. It affects what information goes on applications, how residency and mailing addresses are handled, how identity and lawful status are verified, and how REAL ID indicators appear on licenses and IDs. It also adds new optional fields for applicants and clarifies rules about what staff can ask applicants.

Main Provisions

• Application contents (171.06, subdivision 3)

  • Applicants must provide: full name, date of birth, sex, and either a Minnesota residence address or a designated address (under section 5B.05).
  • A physical description must be provided (height, weight, eye color, sex), along with the applicant’s driving privileges and ability to operate a vehicle.
  • Applicants must disclose either their Social Security number or (if they don’t have one) an election not to specify it, for certain license or ID purposes.
  • The form must include options to request: a veteran designation; a designation to make an anatomical gift; document retention designation; emergency contacts; race and ethnicity; caretaker information; and a temporary mailing address separate from the residence address.
  • For REAL ID purposes, applicants must show identity, date of birth, and lawful status as defined by federal rules; for REAL ID needs, there are specific requirements for Minnesota residency proof and Social Security documentation.
  • Forms must not reveal the applicant’s citizenship, immigration status, or lawful presence beyond what is required for the documents being issued.

• Alternate and temporary addresses

  • If a person moves or cannot receive mail at their residence, they may designate an alternate mailing address, and the license/ID will be sent to that address. All other notices go to the residence address.

• Real ID and enhanced IDs

  • For a REAL ID or enhanced license/ID, the applicant must prove residency in Minnesota and provide required identity documentation and, for some types, citizenship or lawful status.
  • An enhanced license/ID has its own eligibility rules and documentation requirements.

• License contents and design (171.07, subdivision 1)

  • Licenses must include: a distinctive number, the licensee’s full name and date of birth, a residence or designated address, a description of the licensee, and the licensee’s signature.
  • A photo (colored or electronic) must appear on the license.
  • If the USPS cannot deliver mail to the residence address, an alternate mailing address may be used for all notices; other correspondence still goes to the residence.
  • Special markings:
  • Licenses issued to someone under 21 must be a distinct color and labeled Under21.
  • Licenses issued to someone 65 or older can be marked Senior if the applicant requests it.
  • Except for noncompliant licenses, licenses must have a REAL ID indicator.
  • Noncompliant licenses must be marked not for federal identification and have a unique design/color indicator for REAL ID purposes, and must not include indicators about the holder’s lawful presence or citizenship.
  • If the applicant presented proof of citizenship, the license may be marked U.S. Citizen. If they presented proof of permanent lawful presence, it can be marked Legal Resident. If they have temporary status or admission period, it can be marked Temporary Status.
  • A REAL ID-compliant license for someone with temporary status must be marked Temporary; a REAL ID-compliant license for a U.S. citizen must be marked U.S. Citizen.
  • The license must display the holder’s full name (or at least 39 characters), with a specific truncation rule if the name is too long.

• Identification card contents and design (171.07, subdivision 3)

  • Minnesota identification cards have similar requirements to licenses: distinctive numbers, full name, date of birth, address (residence or designated), description, signature, and image.
  • Alternate mailing addresses and similar mailing rules apply.
  • Identification cards issued to people under 21 are a different color; all cards are marked appropriately (Under21 or Minnesota identification card) and must include REAL ID indicators if applicable.
  • NONcitizen/real status markings follow the same approach as with licenses: not for federal identification for noncompliant cards; U.S. Citizen, Legal Resident, or Temporary Status markings may appear based on proof provided.
  • For REAL ID, cards issued to U.S. citizens are marked U.S. Citizen; those with temporary status are marked Temporary; those with permanent lawful presence are marked Legal Resident.
  • The 39-character name display rule also applies to identification cards, with the same truncation method described for licenses.
  • The fee and other practical details parallel the license provisions (e.g., special treatment for certain medical or developmental disability considerations).

Significant Changes and Impacts

• Expanded data on applications

  • Adds fields such as race and ethnicity, emergency contacts, caretaker information, and a potential veteran designation. Adds the option to designate a temporary mailing address separate from the residence.

• Residency and mailing address rules

  • Introduces and clarifies use of a designated address and an alternate mailing address for notices and license/ID delivery, while preserving proof of residency requirements for initial applications.

• REAL ID and status markings

  • Requires explicit markings on licenses and IDs to indicate citizenship, legal residency, or temporary status, and clarifies when and how REAL ID indicators appear.
  • Creates distinct markings for noncompliant licenses/IDs (not for federal identification) with unique designs/colors, and prohibits indicators that reveal citizenship or immigration status beyond allowed REAL ID classifications.

• Privacy and staff inquiries

  • States that DMV staff must not inquire about citizenship, immigration status, or unlawful presence unless specifically required by the defined categories (identity, birth date, etc. for verification).

• Name display and age-based distinctions

  • Sets minimum display requirements for names (39 characters) and differentiates licenses and IDs by age (Under21 color coding) and by senior status (65+ color coding) if requested.

• Access and eligibility considerations

  • Maintains distinctions between REAL ID-compliant licenses/IDs and noncompliant ones, including how they can be used for federal identification purposes.

How this may affect you

• If you apply for a Minnesota license or ID, you may be asked for more information on your identity, race/ethnicity, emergency contacts, and caretaker information.
• You could choose a designated or alternate mailing address for receiving your license/ID and notices.
• Your license or ID could carry markings indicating citizenship, permanent resident status, or temporary status, or it could be marked not for federal identification if noncompliant.
• If you are under 21 or 65 or older, your license/ID could have a special color or label.
• Staff must follow strict rules about not asking for immigration status beyond what is needed to verify identity and lawful presence.

Practical considerations

• The bill emphasizes documentation requirements for REAL ID, and adds or clarifies how residency is proven.
• It introduces the possibility of collecting sensitive data (race/ethnicity) through the application process, which may raise privacy considerations for some applicants.
• The overall effect is to introduce more labeled categories on licenses/IDs, potentially affecting how people use these documents for travel, work, or identification with federal agencies.

Relevant Terms

• REAL ID Act
• noncompliant license
• not for federal identification
• U.S. Citizen
• Legal Resident
• Temporary Status
• Temporary Status or admission period
• citizenship
• lawful presence
• designated address
• alternate mailing address
• residence address
• living will/health care directive (for notices)
• emergency contacts
• caretaker information
• race and ethnicity
• enhanced driver’s license (EDL) / enhanced identification card
• proof of residency
• Social Security number (SSN) or election not to specify
• identity proof
• designated address under section 5B.05
• under21 / senior (age-based markings)
• 39-character name display
• identity vs. federal identification use
• State of Minnesota driver license and identification card rules
• fiduciary and privacy considerations (related to personal data collected)