1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to drivers' licenses; extending expiration period for driver's license 
1.3 	while person is serving in active military service; amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.4 	2010, section 171.27.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 171.27, is amended to read:
1.7 	171.27 EXPIRATION OF LICENSE; MILITARY EXCEPTION.
1.8 	(a) The expiration date for each driver's license, other than under-21 licenses, is the 
1.9 	birthday of the driver in the fourth year following the date of issuance of the license. The 
1.10 	birthday of the driver shall be as indicated on the application for a driver's license. A 
1.11 	license may be renewed on or before expiration or within one year after expiration upon 
1.12 	application, payment of the required fee, and passing the examination required of all 
1.13 	drivers for renewal. Driving privileges shall be extended or renewed on or preceding the 
1.14 	expiration date of an existing driver's license unless the commissioner believes that the 
1.15 	licensee is no longer qualified as a driver.
1.16 	(b) The expiration date for each under-21 license shall be the 21st birthday of the 
1.17 	licensee. Upon the licensee attaining the age of 21 and upon the application, payment 
1.18 	of the required fee, and passing the examination required of all drivers for renewal, a 
1.19 	driver's license shall be issued unless the commissioner determines that the licensee is 
1.20 	no longer qualified as a driver.
1.21 	(c) The expiration date for each provisional license is two years after the date of 
1.22 	application for the provisional license.
1.23 	(d) Any valid Minnesota driver's license issued to a person then or subsequently 
1.24 	on active duty with the armed forces of the United States, or the person's spouse, shall 
2.1 	continue in full force and effect without requirement for renewal until 90 days after the 
2.2 	date of the person's discharge from such service, provided that a spouse's license must 
2.3 	be renewed if the spouse is residing within the state at the time the license expires or 
2.4 	within 90 days after the spouse returns to Minnesota and resides within the state. serving 
2.5 	outside Minnesota in active military service in any branch or unit of the United States 
2.6 	armed forces, or to the person's spouse, shall continue in full force and  effect without 
2.7 	requirement for renewal until the earlier of:
2.8 	(1) 90 days following the person's return to Minnesota to reside within the state; or
2.9 	(2) one year following the date of the service member's discharge from active 
2.10 	military service.
2.11 	Notwithstanding clauses (1) and (2), no qualifying service member's or spouse's license 
2.12 	may be allowed to expire sooner than the person's birthday in the fourth full year following 
2.13 	the person's most recent license renewal.

2.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011, and applies to 
2.15 	Minnesota drivers' licenses that are valid on or after that date.