Politics & Government

​Minnesotans Can Apply for REAL ID Cards Next Month

REAL ID is a new federal requirement for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards.

TWIN CITIES, MN — Minnesotans will be able to apply for a REAL ID-compliant card beginning next month, but they will have two years to obtain one if they choose.

That means Minnesotans will be able to use their standard licenses and ID cards for federal purposes, including boarding domestic flights, until Oct. 1, 2020.

What is REAL ID? REAL ID is a new federal requirement that establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.

Find out what's happening in Southwest Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

REAL ID in Minnesota

The Minnesota Legislature passed a law to make REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards available by Oct. 1, 2018.

Find out what's happening in Southwest Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The state is on track to meet that deadline, even though the federal government won’t require driver’s licenses and IDs to be REAL ID-compliant until Oct. 1, 2020.

Sign Up For Patch's Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts in Your Neighborhood

Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.