HF 2196

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/15/2021 03:08pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; governing drivers' licenses and Minnesota identification
cards; providing for certain remote issuance and expiration extensions; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 171.06, by adding a subdivision; 171.13,
subdivision 1; 171.27.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 171.06, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Remote application. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must establish a process for a
person to apply remotely for a driver's license or Minnesota identification card, whether
through a website or other means, as provided in this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may issue or reinstate a canceled driver's license or Minnesota
identification card and may renew a driver's license or Minnesota identification card for a
person who does not apply in-person if:
new text end

new text begin (1) the applicant submits documentation, as prescribed by the commissioner, that an
eligible family member is an employee of a federal department or agency who is assigned
to foreign service outside of the United States;
new text end

new text begin (2) there is not a material change to the applicant's name, date of birth, signature, and
driver's license or identification number since the most recent driver's license or Minnesota
identification card issuance;
new text end

new text begin (3) the application is not for a different type or class of driver's license or Minnesota
identification card, as identified in sections 171.019, subdivision 2, and 171.02, subdivision
2;
new text end

new text begin (4) one of the following requirements is met:
new text end

new text begin (i) the commissioner has a previous photograph of the applicant on file that was taken
within the last five years or in conjunction with the most recent issuance; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) for a noncompliant license or identification card, the applicant submits a photograph
that meets the requirements of sections 171.07 and 171.071, Minnesota Rules, part
7410.1810, subpart 1, and any other technical requirements established by the commissioner,
which may include but are not limited to background color, lighting and visibility standards,
and electronic file size;
new text end

new text begin (5) for a driver's license, the commissioner has a record that the applicant has undergone
an examination of the applicant's eyesight within the last two years, or the applicant submits
a vision examination certificate that:
new text end

new text begin (i) has been completed within the last two years;
new text end

new text begin (ii) is signed by a licensed physician or an optometrist, including one who holds a similar
license in a jurisdiction outside the United States; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) is in a form as prescribed by the commissioner;
new text end

new text begin (6) for a canceled driver's license or Minnesota identification card:
new text end

new text begin (i) cancellation was within the past five years;
new text end

new text begin (ii) cancellation was due to driver's license or identification card issuance by another
jurisdiction; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) the application includes surrender or invalidation of a valid driver's license or
identification card issued by another jurisdiction; and
new text end

new text begin (7) the most recent issuance, reinstatement, or renewal was not performed under this
subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (c) A person who applies for a driver's license or Minnesota identification card under
this subdivision is not required to:
new text end

new text begin (1) take a knowledge examination;
new text end

new text begin (2) take a road examination to demonstrate ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable
control in the operation of a motor vehicle; and
new text end

new text begin (3) appear in-person for an updated photograph upon return to Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (d) For purposes of this subdivision, "eligible family member" means the applicant for
a driver's license or Minnesota identification card under this subdivision, the applicant's
spouse or domestic partner, and the applicant's parent or guardian if the applicant is a
dependent under age 26.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 171.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Examination subjects and locations; provisions for color blindness,
disabled veterans.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commissioner shall
examine each applicant for a driver's license by such agency as the commissioner directs.
This examination must include:

(1) a test of the applicant's eyesight new text begin , provided that this requirement is met by submission
of a vision examination certificate under section 171.06, subdivision 7 new text end ;

(2) a test of the applicant's ability to read and understand highway signs regulating,
warning, and directing traffic;

(3) a test of the applicant's knowledge of (i) traffic laws; (ii) the effects of alcohol and
drugs on a driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and legally, and of the legal
penalties and financial consequences resulting from violations of laws prohibiting the
operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (iii) railroad
grade crossing safety; (iv) slow-moving vehicle safety; (v) laws relating to pupil
transportation safety, including the significance of school bus lights, signals, stop arm, and
passing a school bus; (vi) traffic laws related to bicycles; and (vii) the circumstances and
dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning;

(4) an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the
operation of a motor vehicle; and

(5) other physical and mental examinations as the commissioner finds necessary to
determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor vehicle safely upon the highways.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), no driver's license may be denied an applicant on
the exclusive grounds that the applicant's eyesight is deficient in color perception. War
veterans operating motor vehicles especially equipped for disabled persons, if otherwise
entitled to a license, must be granted such license.

(c) The commissioner shall make provision for giving the examinations under this
subdivision either in the county where the applicant resides or at a place adjacent thereto
reasonably convenient to the applicant.

(d) The commissioner shall ensure that an applicant is able to obtain an appointment for
an examination to demonstrate ability under paragraph (a), clause (4), within 14 days of the
applicant's request if, under the applicable statutes and rules of the commissioner, the
applicant is eligible to take the examination.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 171.27, is amended to read:

171.27 deleted text begin EXPIRATION OF deleted text end LICENSE new text begin EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL new text end ; deleted text begin MILITARY
EXCEPTION deleted text end new text begin EXCEPTIONS new text end .

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the expiration
date for each driver's license is the birthday of the driver in the fourth year following the
date of issuance of the license. The birthday of the driver shall be as indicated on the
application for a driver's license. A license may be renewed on or before expiration or within
one year after expiration upon application, payment of the required fee, and passing the
examination required of all drivers for renewal. Driving privileges shall be extended or
renewed on or preceding the expiration date of an existing driver's license unless the
commissioner believes that the licensee is no longer qualified as a driver.

(b) The expiration date for each under-21 license shall be the 21st birthday of the licensee.
Upon the licensee attaining the age of 21 and upon the application, payment of the required
fee, and passing the examination required of all drivers for renewal, a driver's license shall
be issued unless the commissioner determines that the licensee is no longer qualified as a
driver.

(c) The expiration date for each provisional license is two years after the date of
application for the provisional license.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) to (c), the expiration date for a license issued to a
person with temporary lawful status is the last day of the person's legal stay in the United
States, or one year after issuance if the last day of the person's legal stay is not identified.

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Extension of expiration. new text end

deleted text begin (e) Any deleted text end new text begin A new text end valid Minnesota driver's license issued to new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end a person then or subsequently serving outside Minnesota in active military service,
as defined in section 190.05, subdivision 5, in any branch or unit of the armed forces of the
United States deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) a person who is an employee of a federal department or agency and is assigned to
foreign service outside of the United States; new text end or

new text begin (3) new text end the deleted text begin person's deleted text end spouse, deleted text begin shall continue deleted text end new text begin domestic partner, or dependent under age 26 of
a person in clause (1) or (2);
new text end

new text begin continues new text end in full force and effect without requirement for renewal until the date one year
following the service member's separation or discharge from active military service new text begin or the
conclusion of assignment to foreign service outside the United States new text end , and until the license
holder's birthday in the fourth full year following the person's most recent license renewal
or, in the case of a provisional license, until the person's birthday in the third full year
following the renewal.