Transportation panel votes down electronic driver’s licenses and state IDs

Your smartphone can probably do a lot of cool things, but one thing it can’t do is hold your state driver’s license or identification ID card. Those still need to be presented in plastic form.

For now.

Sponsored by Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL-Shakopee), HF1335 would authorize electronic versions of driver’s licenses and Minnesota identification cards.

On Monday, the panel that Tabke co-chairs – the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee – discussed the bill, as amended and amended again, before it ultimately failed on a voice vote.

“This would mimic what’s happening in 14 other states right now,” Tabke said. “It’s just like a mobile payment system in that you tap to show your ID. A physical ID is still required, but this option adds convenience, security and safety.

“Without having to show your physical ID, which has your home address on it, by merely tapping, you could show that you are of age for buying alcohol or renting a car or a hotel room,” Tabke added.

“I really like this,” said Rep. Erin Koegel (DFL-Spring Lake Park). “I like to leave the house with as little as possible, so if I can just go with my phone, that’d be great.”

The bill would authorize the Department of Public Safety to implement the electronic versions, laying out contracting and rulemaking authority, requirements for implementation, limits around electronic and physical credential use, and the authority to set a fee.

The committee rejected an amendment that would have limited eligibility for electronic credentials to those who can demonstrate U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the country.

“I appreciate the thinking outside the box and introducing some new concepts,” said the committee’s co-chair, Rep. Jon Koznick (R-Lakeville). “There’s a lot of privacy concerns. There’s some public safety concerns that should be looked at. We’re just not ready to do this.”

Visitors to the House of Representatives booth at the Minnesota State Fair were asked their opinion on this issue in 2024, and they favored digital drivers’ licenses and identification cards by a margin of 43.2% to 37.8%, with 19% undecided or with no opinion.