New designs unveiled for Minnesota driver's licenses, ID cards

(KMSP) - The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division unveiled the new driver’s license and state ID designs Monday, including vertical and horizontal ID designs. 

As part of the new designs, drivers under 21 years old will have vertical licenses, while those over 21 will horizontal cards. 

The new cards also have a variety of security features, including a “ghost image” in the lower right corner that is the same as the license photo and an image of a walleye embedded into the card stock that can be seen by holding the card up to a light source. Each card will also have State of Minnesota branding and a multi-colored and intricate background featuring the Mississippi River, a canoeist and pine forest. 

DVS will begin issuing the new cards starting on Aug. 6. Minnesotans do not need to obtain a new driver’s license or ID card unless their current card is expiring or they need to change their address or name. 

The new designs include a design for REAL ID cards. REAL ID-compliant cards will not be needed for federal purposes until 2020, but Minnesotans will be able to apply for the cards beginning in October.