HF 2615

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 03/20/2025 03:03pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; extending driver's license expiration dates to every eight
years; increasing fees; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 171.02,
subdivision 3; 171.06, subdivisions 2, 2a; 171.061, subdivision 4; 171.07,
subdivision 4; 171.071, subdivision 4; 171.27.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Motorized bicycle.

(a) A motorized bicycle may not be operated on any public
roadway by any person who does not possess a valid driver's license, unless the person has
obtained a motorized bicycle operator's permit or motorized bicycle instruction permit from
the commissioner of public safety. The operator's permit may be issued to any person who
has attained the age of 15 years and who has passed the examination prescribed by the
commissioner. The instruction permit may be issued to any person who has attained the age
of 15 years and who has successfully completed an approved safety course and passed the
written portion of the examination prescribed by the commissioner.

(b) This course must consist of, but is not limited to, a basic understanding of:

(1) motorized bicycles and their limitations;

(2) motorized bicycle laws and rules;

(3) safe operating practices and basic operating techniques;

(4) helmets and protective clothing;

(5) motorized bicycle traffic strategies; and

(6) effects of alcohol and drugs on motorized bicycle operators.

(c) The commissioner may adopt rules prescribing the content of the safety course,
examination, and the information to be contained on the permits. A person operating a
motorized bicycle under a motorized bicycle permit is subject to the restrictions imposed
by section 169.974, subdivision 2, on operation of a motorcycle under a two-wheel instruction
permit.

(d) The fees for motorized bicycle operator's permits are as follows:

(1)	Motorized bicycle operator's permit before age 21 and valid until age 21	$	9.75
(2)	Renewal permit age 21 or older and valid for deleted text begin four deleted text end new text begin eight new text end years	$	deleted text begin 15.75 deleted text end new text begin 31.50 new text end
(3)	Duplicate of any renewal permit	$	5.25
(4)	Written examination and instruction permit, valid for 30 days	$	6.75

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to new or
renewal applications for drivers' licenses or identification cards submitted on or after that
date.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.06, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Fees.

(a) The fees for a license and Minnesota identification card are as follows:

REAL ID Compliant or Noncompliant Classified Driver's License		deleted text begin D-$27.75 deleted text end new text begin D-$55.50 new text end	C-$31.75	B-$38.75	A-$46.75
REAL ID Compliant or Noncompliant Classified Under-21 D.L.		D-$27.75	C-$31.75	B-$38.75	A-$26.75
Enhanced Driver's License		deleted text begin D-$42.75 deleted text end new text begin D-$85.50 new text end	C-$46.75	B-$53.75	A-$61.75
REAL ID Compliant or Noncompliant Instruction Permit					$11.25
Enhanced Instruction Permit					$26.25
Commercial Learner's Permit					$8.50
REAL ID Compliant or Noncompliant Provisional License					$14.25
Enhanced Provisional License					$29.25
Duplicate REAL ID Compliant or Noncompliant License or duplicate REAL ID Compliant or Noncompliant identification card					$12.75
deleted text begin Enhanced deleted text end Duplicate new text begin Enhanced new text end License or deleted text begin enhanced deleted text end duplicate new text begin enhanced new text end identification card					$27.75
new text begin REAL ID Compliant or Noncompliant identification card, except as otherwise provided in section 171.07, subdivisions 3 and 3a new text end					new text begin $34.50 new text end
deleted text begin REAL ID Compliant or Noncompliant Minnesota identification card or deleted text end REAL ID Compliant or Noncompliant Under-21 deleted text begin Minnesota deleted text end identification card, deleted text begin other than duplicate, deleted text end except as otherwise provided in section 171.07, deleted text begin subdivisions deleted text end new text begin subdivision new text end 3 deleted text begin and 3a deleted text end					$17.25
Enhanced deleted text begin Minnesota deleted text end identification card					deleted text begin $32.25 deleted text end new text begin $64.50 new text end

(b) In addition to each fee required in paragraph (a), the commissioner must collect a
surcharge of deleted text begin $2.25 deleted text end new text begin $4.50 new text end . Surcharges collected under this paragraph must be credited to the
driver and vehicle services technology account under section 299A.705.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), an individual who holds a provisional license and
has a driving record free of (1) convictions for a violation of section 169A.20, 169A.33,
169A.35, sections 169A.50 to 169A.53, or section 171.177, (2) convictions for crash-related
moving violations, and (3) convictions for moving violations that are not crash related, has
a $3.50 credit toward the fee for any classified under-21 driver's license. "Moving violation"
has the meaning given it in section 171.04, subdivision 1.

(d) In addition to the driver's license fee required under paragraph (a), the commissioner
must collect an additional deleted text begin $4 deleted text end new text begin $8 new text end processing fee from each new applicant or individual
renewing a license with a school bus endorsement to cover the costs for processing an
applicant's initial and biennial physical examination certificate. The department must not
charge these applicants any other fee to receive or renew the endorsement.

(e) In addition to the fee required under paragraph (a), a driver's license agent may charge
and retain a filing fee as provided under section 171.061, subdivision 4.

(f) In addition to the fee required under paragraph (a), the commissioner must charge a
filing fee at the same amount as a driver's license agent under section 171.061, subdivision
4. Revenue collected under this paragraph must be deposited in the driver and vehicle
services operating account under section 299A.705.

(g) An application for a Minnesota identification card, instruction permit, provisional
license, or driver's license, including an application for renewal, must contain a provision
that allows the applicant to add to the fee under paragraph (a), a deleted text begin $2 deleted text end new text begin $4 new text end donation for the
purposes of public information and education on anatomical gifts under section 171.075.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to new or
renewal applications for drivers' licenses or identification cards submitted on or after that
date.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.06, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Motorcycle endorsement fee.

(a) In addition to the appropriate fee under
subdivision 2, the fee for a motorcycle endorsement on a driver's license is:

(1) deleted text begin $26.50 deleted text end new text begin $43.50 new text end for an initial endorsement or a duplicate license obtained for the
purpose of adding the endorsement; and

(2) deleted text begin $17 deleted text end new text begin $34 new text end for each license renewal with the endorsement.

(b) The additional fee must be paid into the state treasury and credited as follows:

(1) deleted text begin $19 deleted text end new text begin $31.25 new text end of the additional fee under paragraph (a), clause (1), and deleted text begin $11 deleted text end new text begin $22 new text end of the
additional fee under paragraph (a), clause (2), to the motorcycle safety account, which is
hereby created in the special revenue fund; and

(2) the remainder to the general fund.

(c) All application forms prepared by the commissioner for motorcycle endorsements
must clearly state the amount of the total fee that is dedicated to the motorcycle safety
account.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to new or
renewal applications for drivers' licenses or identification cards submitted on or after that
date.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.061, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Fee; equipment.

(a) The agent may charge and retain a filing fee for each
application as follows:

(1)	New application for a noncompliant, REAL ID-compliant, or enhanced driver's license or identification card	$	deleted text begin 16.00 deleted text end new text begin 27.00 new text end
(2)	Renewal application for a noncompliant, REAL ID-compliant, or enhanced driver's license or identification card	$	deleted text begin 11.00 deleted text end new text begin 22.00 new text end

Except as provided in paragraph (c), the fee must cover all expenses involved in receiving,
accepting, or forwarding to the department the applications and fees required under sections
171.02, subdivision 3; 171.06, subdivisions 2 and 2a; and 171.07, subdivisions 3 and 3a.

(b) The statutory fees and the filing fees imposed under paragraph (a) may be paid by
credit card or debit card. The driver's license agent may collect a convenience fee on the
statutory fees and filing fees not greater than the cost of processing a credit card or debit
card transaction. The convenience fee must be used to pay the cost of processing credit card
and debit card transactions. The commissioner must adopt rules to administer this paragraph
using the exempt procedures of section 14.386, except that section 14.386, paragraph (b),
does not apply.

(c) The department must maintain the photo identification and vision examination
equipment for all agents. All photo identification and vision examination equipment must
be compatible with standards established by the department.

(d) A filing fee retained by the agent employed by a county board must be paid into the
county treasury and credited to the general revenue fund of the county. An agent who is not
an employee of the county must retain the filing fee in lieu of county employment or salary
and is considered an independent contractor for pension purposes, coverage under the
Minnesota State Retirement System, or membership in the Public Employees Retirement
Association.

(e) Before the end of the first working day following the final day of the reporting period
established by the department, the agent must forward to the department all applications
and fees collected during the reporting period except as provided in paragraph (d).

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to new or
renewal applications for drivers' licenses or identification cards submitted on or after that
date.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.07, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Identification card expiration.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this
subdivision, the expiration date of a Minnesota identification card is the birthday of the
applicant in the deleted text begin fourth deleted text end new text begin eighth new text end year following the date of issuance of the card.

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end For an applicant age 65 or older deleted text begin :
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) the expiration date of a Minnesota identification card is the birthday of the applicant
in the eighth year following the date of issuance of the card; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end a noncompliant identification card is valid for the lifetime of the applicant.

deleted text begin (c) For the purposes of paragraph (b), "Minnesota identification card" does not include
an enhanced identification card issued to an applicant age 65 or older.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end The expiration date for an Under-21 identification card is the cardholder's 21st
birthday. The commissioner deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end issue an identification card to a holder of an Under-21
identification card who applies for the card, pays the required fee, and presents proof of
identity and age, unless the commissioner determines that the applicant is not qualified for
the identification card.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) deleted text begin to (d) deleted text end new text begin and (b) new text end , the expiration date for an
identification card 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 EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to new or
renewal applications for drivers' licenses or identification cards submitted on or after that
date.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.071, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Variance for homebound individuals.

(a) Notwithstanding section 171.07 or
Minnesota Rules, part 7410.1810, the commissioner may grant a variance from the
photograph requirements for a noncompliant identification card if: (1) the individual is
homebound as defined in paragraph (b); (2) the individual has submitted proof of homebound
status; and (3) the department has a photograph of the applicant on file that was taken within
the last deleted text begin four deleted text end new text begin eight new text end years or during the most recent renewal cycle or the applicant has submitted
a photograph to the department that meets the requirements of section 171.07, Minnesota
Rules, part 7410.1810, subpart 1, and other technical requirements established by the
commissioner, such as background color and electronic file size, to ensure the image can
be used on a credential and conforms with images taken by the department. Applicants
granted a photograph variance under this subdivision are not required to appear in person
to have a new photograph taken.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "homebound" means the individual is unable to
leave the individual's residence due to a medical, physical, or mental health condition or
infirmity as documented in writing by a physician, case worker, or social worker.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to new or
renewal applications for drivers' licenses or identification cards submitted on or after that
date.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.27, is amended to read:

171.27 LICENSE EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL; EXCEPTIONS.

Subdivision 1.

Expiration.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the expiration
date for each driver's license is the birthday of the driver in the deleted text begin fourth deleted text end new text begin eighth new text end year following
the date of issuance of the license. The birthday of the driver deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end 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 deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end 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 deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end 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 deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end 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.

Subd. 2.

Extension of expiration.

(a) For purposes of this subdivision, "eligible
individual" means:

(1) 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;

(2) a person then or subsequently serving outside Minnesota as a volunteer in the Peace
Corps;

(3) a person who is an employee of a federal department or agency and is assigned to
foreign service outside of the United States; or

(4) a person residing outside of Minnesota because the person is a spouse, domestic
partner, or dependent under age 26 of a person in clause (1), (2), or (3).

(b) A valid Minnesota driver's license issued to an eligible individual continues in full
force and effect without requirement for renewal until the date one year following the
person's separation or discharge from active military or volunteer service, or following the
conclusion of assignment to foreign service outside the United States, and until the license
holder's birthday in the deleted text begin fourth deleted text end new text begin eighth new text end 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.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to new or
renewal applications for drivers' licenses or identification cards submitted on or after that
date.
new text end