Minnesota Licenses and ID Cards
Minnesota has a few identification options for residents to choose from.
Determining which type of license or ID card works best depends on what a person needs to use the card for.
Standard Driver's License or ID Card
- A standard license or ID card can be used for federal purposes, including boarding domestic flights, until Oct. 1, 2021.
- Starting October 1, 2021, these won't be acceptable forms of identification for domestic air travel or federal use.
- Valid for identification purposes.
- Valid for lawful driving privileges.
Enhanced Driver's License or ID Card
- Can be used for domestic air travel and to access federal facilities now and will continue to be acceptable forms of identification for federal purposes even after October 1, 2021.
- Can be used as U.S. border crossing documents by land or by sea.
- Only issued to U.S. citizens.
- Valid for identification purposes.
- Valid for lawful driving privileges.
REAL ID Compliant Driver's Licenses or ID Card
- REAL ID driver's licenses or ID cards can be used for domestic air travel and to access federal facilities such as military bases and nuclear power plants.
- Issued to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens.
- Cannot be used as border crossing documents.
- Valid for identification purposes.
- Valid for lawful driving privileges.
Find out which license or ID card best fits your needs by reviewing a full comparison chart.
View Minnesota's REAL ID extension status.
Find information about REAL ID federal enforcement.
Review U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security REAL ID frequently asked questions.
Review additional federal REAL ID documents.dl-id-comparison-chart.pdf