Department of Public Safety paves way for enhanced driver's licenses, identification cards

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is proposing amendments to Minnesota Rule 7410, which governs driver information, licensing and testing.

Legislation passed in 2010 gave Minnesotans the option to obtain enhanced driver’s licenses (EDL) and enhanced identification (EID) cards. The amended rules will establish requirements for obtaining an EDL or an EID.

Enhanced driver’s licenses and identification cards serve as identity and citizenship documents at certain land and sea border crossings. U.S. citizens can use an EDL or EID at land and sea crossings in lieu of a passport when reentering the United States from Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean.

The Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division (DVS) invites public comment on this rulemaking. A Request for Comments was published in the June 27 edition of the State Register. To view the Request for Comments, visit the State Register website at http://www.comm.media.state.mn.us.

The public comment period is from June 27 to August 26, 2011. To record a comment or question contact DVS at 651-205-4158.