Driver’s Licenses for All
Licenses For All signed into Law!
Governor Tim Walz signed the "Licenses for All" bill into law!
COPAL together with multiple organizations, leaders and members of the community, as well as legislators, worked hard to unite and mobilize the necessary support to pass this bill.
This is a collective achievement—we have been able to transform the system to better honor our human dignity.
Together, we have made history.
Lastest news
Victory!
The Minnesota House voted YES.
The bill will now be heard this Friday, February 3 in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
We won!
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, February 22nd, the Minnesota Senate voted to pass Driver's Licenses for All. The bill will be signed into law, and the policy is expected to begin by October 1.
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Required documents for your first driver's license starting in October 2023
The list of primary and secondary identification documents comprises an unexpired international passport, certified birth or adoption records, tribal ID, various U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service documents, and more. Secondary options include a Social Security card, employment authorization papers, driver’s license or ID, school records, pilot’s license, and others. These documents serve for identity verification in different scenarios, like obtaining official documents or services. If your document is not in English, it must be accompanied by a translation and translation certification. You can use either of the following two options:
OPTION 1: 2 PRIMARY DOCUMENTS
OPTION 2: 1 PRIMARY DOCUMENT + 1 SECONDARY DOCUMENT
Frecuently Asked Questions
- All Minnesota residents can apply for a license under the new DL for All law beginning Oct. 1. The law allows immigrants lacking permanent legal status to obtain a standard Minnesota driver’s license or identification
- Beginning Sept. 2, residents can make an appointment for Oct. 1 or later. Online scheduling is available for Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) locations at mn.gov under the “Appointments” section.
- Two documents that include your full name and birth date. Any document in a language other than English must be accompanied by an approved translation. The documents required for DL for All on Oct. 1 are listed on the DL for All webpage at mn.gov. Click on “DL FOR ALL” in the upper left corner.
- The state of Minnesota has legally set fees. Only DVS is authorized to charge driver’s license or ID fees. Be careful of fraud or criminals — especially online. Find legitimate fees and locations at mn.gov.
- An interpreter can meet with the person taking the test and the DVS examiner before and after a skills (road) test. Due to safety issues while driving, Minnesota rules do not allow anyone other than the driver being tested and examiner in the
- The intent of DL for All was to create safer roads and communities.
- Drivers are tested to know the rules of the road and to know how to drive a vehicle safely.
- Drivers are more likely to stay at a crash scene to help police/EMT or exchange insurance information if they have
- Law enforcement can more accurately check an identity and traffic/license records of people who remain on the
- This law will allow undocumented residents, many of whom drive to work and school, to get a driver’s license to prove they’re safe drivers and qualify for car
- Insurance rates will possibly decrease due to fewer uninsured motorist
- An ID is for identification purposes only. There is no minimum age limit for an ID. A permit signifies that an individual has taken the knowledge exam and is still learning how to drive. There are restrictions on permit drivers including having a licensed driver with you when driving a vehicle. A driver’s license is obtained after a written knowledge exam and skills (road) test have been passed.
- At DVS locations and third-party proctors, the following are available: English, Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese, Somali, American Sign Language, Russian and Karen.
- The card identification is for all immigrants, including refugees, students and workers on visas. A standard driver’s license or ID will be the same for someone without legal presence as someone with legal presence. There will be no method for law enforcement to identify immigration status from the standard license. The DL for All law specifically states that DVS will not share citizenship/immigration status with agencies that enforce immigration law unless ordered by a court.
- Driver’s license for all does not change the requirements to register to vote. You must meet all requirements to register to vote, including being a U.S. citizen. You can find more information on voter registration requirements here. Under existing law, it is a felony offense if you vote when you are not eligible to
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Karla and Esperanza
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