Minnesota driver license and state ID — guide for immigrants

Minnesota issues a standard driver license and ID card regardless of immigration status under the “Driver’s License for All” law, effective October 1, 2024. The law removed the proof-of-legal-presence requirement. Here is exactly who qualifies, the documents, the one mistake to avoid with an ITIN, what it costs, and the privacy protections.

Quick answer

  • Undocumented driver-license access: YES — Driver’s License for All (since October 2024)
  • Social Security number required: Only if you are eligible for one (no tax return required)
  • Driver license fee: $46 ($41 renewal) + $4 application fee · Standard ID: $35.50 (under 65)
  • Card validity: license renews every 4 years
  • Card marking: “Not for Federal Identification” — not a REAL ID
  • Agency: Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) · Phone: 651-201-7777

Who can apply

The law “specifically allows immigrants lacking permanent legal status to obtain a standard Minnesota driver’s license or ID card.” A non-driver standard ID card is available under the same rules (the ID is for identification only and has no minimum age).

Documents you need

You present two primary documents, or one primary plus one secondary:

  • Primary — an unexpired foreign (or international) passport, a certified foreign birth certificate, or an unexpired consular identification card (matrícula) with your photo.
  • Secondary — a document bearing an ITIN issued by the IRS, or a foreign/domestic driver license, ID, or permit.

Any non-English document must include a certified translation.

Important: do not put your ITIN in the SSN field

DVS only requires a Social Security number from people who are eligible for one. If you have no SSN, tell staff you do not have one — do NOT enter your ITIN when asked for your Social Security number. (An ITIN document is only an optional secondary identity document.)

What the card can and cannot do

The standard license/ID is printed “Not for Federal Identification.” That means:

  • You can legally drive and use the card as state identification.
  • You cannot, since May 7, 2025, use it at airport security or to enter military bases and federal facilities. Carry your passport for those.

Privacy: DVS cannot share your application, license, or ID data with agencies that primarily enforce immigration law unless ordered to by a court. (“Driver’s License for All” does not apply to REAL ID, enhanced licenses, or commercial licenses — those still require proof of lawful status.)

How to apply

  1. Schedule an appointment online at drive.mn.gov (the phone line, 651-201-7777, offers a callback to hold your place).
  2. Bring your two primary documents (or one primary + one secondary) and proof of your Minnesota address.
  3. If you have no SSN, say so — do not enter an ITIN in the SSN field.
  4. Pass the required tests and pay the fee — $46 + $4 for a Class D license, or $35.50 for a standard ID.

Last verified: 2026-06-28. Sources: Minnesota DVS — Driver’s License for All fact sheet, Standard required documents, and DL and ID card fees.

General procedural information. DVS policies, fees, and document requirements change frequently — verify with Minnesota DVS before visiting. Not legal or immigration advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney.