Minnesotans can now apply for a driver’s license no matter their immigration status, thanks to a new law that went into effect on October 1, 2023. 

The Driver’s Licenses for All law means that more than 80,000 Minnesotans can now apply for a license. It reverses a 2003 order by then Gov. Tim Pawlenty that required proof of legal residence to obtain a driver’s license, stripping thousands of undocumented immigrants of their right to drive overnight. 

 For the past 20 years, Pawlenty’s order forced our undocumented neighbors to drive without a license.  

"We don't drive because we want to, we drive because we must," said Nelvin, a resident of Watonwan County. "As a father there are many reasons why I am compelled to drive. I have to take my three kids to and from school, take them to the hospital, appointments, and now for work I have to drive there and back."  

Thankfully, on March 7, Gov. Tim Walz signed the "Driver's Licenses for All" bill into law. 

Driver's Licenses for All will positively impact tens of thousands of Minnesotans. Undocumented immigrants can now safely get to work, take their kids to school, go to the doctor, and grocery shop without fear of being stopped by police, ticketed and even facing immigration consequences for simply driving. 

Driver’s Licenses for All also will keep our roads safer by ensuring everyone who drives has insurance and has passed a driver’s test. New Mexico saw its rate of uninsured drivers drop by 24% when it passed a similar law; Utah’s rate of uninsured drivers decreased 20%.  

States that grant these licenses also see decreases in auto insurance rates.  

While passage of this law is a victory for Minnesota, we are mindful that historically, police have mistreated Black and Brown people on the roads at a much higher rate than white drivers. We don't expect this to change with the rollout of Driver's Licenses for All.  

Police violence remains all too common across the nation, and it leads to disproportionate trauma, injury, and killings by police in Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities.  

It should not require a DOJ investigation to spur state and local authorities to act to address police violence.  

Quote that says, "We don't drive because we want to, we drive because we must. As a father there are many reasons why I am compelled to drive. I have to take my three kids to and from school, take them to the hospital, appointments, and now for work."

Resources and more information 

Driver and Vehicle Services' Driver's Licenses For All 

Know Your Rights Driving in Minnesota 

Conozca Sus Derechos 

The ACLU-MN has a long history of fighting for Minnesotans whose rights are violated by law enforcement agencies. Three cases we won are: 

Jesus Manuela Mendoza Sierra v. City of Gaylord

Rodriquez v. Riley et al

Promvongsa v. Joe Joswiak et al

Stay informed

1. What are the requirements for people under 21 looking to get a driver’s license?

A.What are the requirements for people under 21 looking to get a driver’s license?

A.

For information about driving between the ages of 15-20, visit the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Driving Manual.  

2. What are the requirements for people 21 and older looking to get a driver's license?

A.What are the requirements for people 21 and older looking to get a driver's license?

A.

To get a driver’s license, an applicant who is 21 or older must prove their identity, pass the vision test, and pass the written and driving tests.  

(From the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota) 

3. Should immigrants be worried about deportation, hassles or law enforcement involvement if they get licensed or visit DVS?

A.Should immigrants be worried about deportation, hassles or law enforcement involvement if they get licensed or visit DVS?

A.

No. 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.   

(From Driver and Vehicle Services)

4. What kind of documents can be used to prove identity?

A.What kind of documents can be used to prove identity?

A.

Starting October 1, applicants will be able to use several foreign and immigration documents to prove their identity. Example documents are:  

  • Foreign passport   
  • Foreign birth certificate   
  • Foreign adoption certificate    

For a full list of accepted documents, visit the DVS’ website.  

5. In what language is the written test available?

A.In what language is the written test available?

A.

At DVS locations and third-party proctors, the following are available: English, Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese, Somali, American Sign Language, Russian and Karen. 

(From Driver and Vehicle Services)

6. May I bring an interpreter to the driver’s license skills (road) test?

A.May I bring an interpreter to the driver’s license skills (road) test?

A.

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 vehicle.  

(From Driver and Vehicle Services)

7. I previously used information other than my own for a driver’s license, now what?

A.I previously used information other than my own for a driver’s license, now what?

A.

Let the DVS staff know when you apply so the records can get merged. Please give any invalid Minnesota driver’s license or ID cards to DVS staff. DVS recommends that people in this situation visit a DVS location so staff can complete the transaction of a merge appropriately and have proper administrative resources available. 

(From Driver and Vehicle Services)

8. What if I got a driver’s license in another state?

A.What if I got a driver’s license in another state?

A.

If you got a driver’s license in another state, check the Minnesota DVS website. The answer depends on where you got the license, and whether it is still valid at the time you apply for the Minnesota license. Please ask DVS directly if you have questions after reviewing their website and/or ask an immigration attorney if you have questions about the documents you used to get the license in the other state.  

(From the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota) 

9. What do I do if I have a Minnesota (or any other state) driver's license that is over five years expired?

A.What do I do if I have a Minnesota (or any other state) driver's license that is over five years expired?

A.
  • Provide primary and secondary documents to ensure record is correct. (Name change documents are necessary when the name listed on your primary document is different than your current legal name – what will be listed on your Driver’s License or ID.) 
  • The knowledge exam is required  
  • The skill exam is required  
    • If your card is over 5 years expired, you can take ONE skill exam using that as your proof of driving privileges. A pass means you don’t have to wait the permit time. A fail means you will have to obtain a permit and practice.  
(From the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota) 

10. I used an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or an incorrect, fake, or someone else’s Social Security number on an application, ID or license. How do I remove that?

A.I used an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or an incorrect, fake, or someone else’s Social Security number on an application, ID or license. How do I remove that?

A.

The simple answer is to wait until Oct. 1, and then visit a DVS office with your primary and secondary documents. At the time you are applying for your license or ID, when the DVS staff asks what your Social Security number is, tell them you do not have one. The staff person will then ask to see your primary and secondary documents to enter them into the system. Do not enter in your ITIN when the staff asks for your Social Security number. This will cause an error in our system and will not allow you to apply. 

(From Driver and Vehicle Services)

11. What do I do if I have a Minnesota (or any other state) driver's license that is unexpired to less than one year expired?

A.What do I do if I have a Minnesota (or any other state) driver's license that is unexpired to less than one year expired?

A.
  • Provide primary and secondary documents to ensure record is correct. (Name change documents are necessary when the name listed on your primary document is different than your current legal name – what will be listed on your Driver’s License or ID.)  
  • The knowledge exam is not required  
  • The skill exam is not required 
(From the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota) 

12. What do I do if I have a Minnesota (or any other state) driver's license that is less than one year expired to five years expired?

A.What do I do if I have a Minnesota (or any other state) driver's license that is less than one year expired to five years expired?

A.
  • Provide primary and secondary documents to ensure record is correct. (Name change documents are necessary when the name listed on your primary document is different than your current legal name – what will be listed on your Driver’s License or ID.) 
  • The knowledge exam is required 
  • The skill exam is not required 
(From the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota)