Unveiling New Minnesota Driver's Licenses

Minnesota drivers will soon be able to purchase newly-designed driver's licenses and ID cards featuring the State of Minnesota branding and applied to all types of licenses, including REAL ID-compliant cards and Enhanced Driver's Licenses. Furthermore, a vertical-formatted license will be assigned to drivers under that age of 21, thus making it easier for liquor store and bar owners to identify persons too young to purchase liquor. The new designs were revealed Monday, July 16, at a Department of Public Safety news conference.

According to Dawn Olson, Director of Driver and Vehicle Services, Minnesotans will be able to apply for the REAL-ID compliant cards beginning in October, 2018; however, drivers will have two years to obtain one if they so choose. Standard driver's licenses will be allowed to board domestic flights until October 1, 2020.

To improve security features, the design includes a "ghost image" as a duplicate image of the cardholder's photograph. Also, the multicolor background of the card features the Mississippi River, a canoeist and a pine forest. Plus, an image of a walleye is embedded in the card and can be seen by holding the card to a light source.

According to the Department of Public Safety, Minnesotans do not need to obtain a newly designed driver's license or ID card until their card is expired. The current licenses are valid for another four years.