In just two short months, our Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division will officially implement the Driver's License for All law passed by the Minnesota Legislature earlier this year. The new law will allow up to 81,000 people to get their driver's license, according to an estimate from the Migration Policy Institute.

Having a licensed driver can make or break a family's budget. The ability to drive legally can let you take a higher-paying job further away, open a bank account to avoid high check-cashing fees or buy car insurance. Our staff knows how big of an impact a driver's license can have. That's why we will be at a series of events this month to answer questions about the law and how it will affect Minnesotans.

"We know this is a huge deal for thousands of Minnesotans. People have questions and we want to be there to make sure this process goes as smoothly as possible," DVS Director Pong Xiong said.

Events to learn more include:

• Thursday, Aug. 3, 5-6:30 p.m. study sessions. Virtual.
• Sunday, Aug. 6, 1:30-6:30 p.m. El Ultimo Atardecer (The Ultimate Sunset) Event with Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, 745 Florida Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55426. 
• Tuesday, Aug. 15, 6-7:30 p.m. Hennepin County Library (Oxboro), 8801 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55420. In-person and virtual. 
• Thursday, Aug. 24 through Monday, Sept. 4, Minnesota State Fair, Education Building, DPS and DVS booth.
• Saturday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m.-noon, Partnership Academy Gym, 6500 Nicollet Ave. S., Richfield, MN (Unidos sponsored). 
• Saturday, Aug. 26, 10 a.m.-noon, Morovian Church, 115 E. Fourth St., Chaska, MN (Unidos sponsored).

After Oct. 1, Minnesotans will no longer need to show proof of legal presence in the U.S. to get an instruction permit, driver's license or identification card. Instead, you'll need:

• Two documents that include your full name and birth date, such as a passport, military ID or marriage certificate. . 
• To pass the class D written knowledge test and road skills test to receive a driver's license.

If you are an undocumented immigrant who lives in Minnesota, you can begin the process of getting a license by requesting an appointment to take the two tests. You can make an appointment up to 30 days in advance at .

What you need to know:

• An interpreter can meet before and after a road skills test with the candidate driver and the DVS examiner prior to getting in the car; however, Minnesota rules do not allow the interpreter to be in the car during the test.
• The information you provide on your application is private data, and DVS cannot share it with civil immigration enforcement or disclose the information to state or federal agencies that primarily enforce immigration law.
• A driver's license allows you to drive legally in Minnesota and is accepted as proof of identification in most cases, unless a REAL ID is required. Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID compliant identification to board an airplane and enter certain federal facilities. 
• Be on the lookout for scams. Use only official Minnesota DVS exam stations and certified deputy registrar offices, .

For more information on Driver's License for All and to get a copy of the driver's license manual to study, check out the DVS website.