SF 271
Driver’s License For All
Hearing
Transportation and Public Safety Committee
Senator Bobby Joe Champion
SF 271, Why this is important?
We all win:
Economy
Immigrants boost tax revenue
and enlarge taxpayer base
Minnesota’s
future
Immigrants and their children
are fundamental to secure a
better future for all Minnesotans
•It’s a public safety issue, and affects all of us.
•Creates safer roads.
•Increases the number of insured drivers.
•Decreases the number of car accidents.
•Protects the civil rights of all our residents.
•Creates family stability and healthier communities.
•Promotes integration and collaboration between the immigrant community and local governments.
•In 2010 the Latino buying power in Minnesota totaled $ 5.1 billion. Source 1
•Latino-owned businesses had sales and receipts of $ 1.6 billion and employed 5,970 people in Minnesota. Source 1
•If all unauthorized immigrant were removed from Minnesota, the state would lose $ 4.4 billion in economic
activity, $2.0 billion in gross state product and approximately 24,299 jobs. Source 1
•We all win, businesses will be better equipped to recruit and retain workers, workers will have the ability have
access and mobility to jobs. We can help to create financial stability in our communities of color.
•As baby boomers retire, immigrants will increasingly be critical for continued economic growth and ensuring a
steady flow of new workers.
•The U.S. needs new taxpayers to help fund Social Security and Medicare and new workers to fill retirees’ positions
and provide health care services. Source 2
Source 1, Immigrant Policy Center 2010
Source 2 Council of the Americas 2013
ONE
BIGFACT:
Almost 80% of all people in Minnesota drive alone to get to work!
90.00%
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
Drive Alone
Car Pool
Work at Home
Public Transportation
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2011
SF 271 Driver’s License Modification
Providing the tools to sustain and grow Minnesota’s prosperity
Increasingly, given Minnesota’s racial and ethnic demographic shifts, the workforce essential to sustain and grow Minnesota’s prosperity will need to be
developed from the state’s population of people of color and immigrants. Given that many immigrants are not able to apply and receive a driver’s license, their
mobility to work and ability to obtain jobs is significantly reduced.
SF 271 would modify the Minnesota driver’s license procedure to allow an official form of government identification (e.g. passport) issued by a
country other than the United States to be used as a primary document to apply for a driver’s license. SF 271 would ensure that all drivers from
Minnesota can operate a vehicle safely and have an official identification issued by our state. This public policy would protect public safety and strengthen the
work law enforcement does with the immigrant community. Providing the tools to all of our residents Minnesota’s economy will be stronger if we harness the
talents and ingenuity of striving, hopeful immigrants.
Current Procedures in Minnesota
Proof of Identity
To apply for a Minnesota driver's license you may
present a: Minnesota driver's license, instruction
permit or state identification card that is current.
If you do not have one of these items, you must
present one primary and one secondary form of
identification.
The primary document must contain your full legal
name (first, middle and last) and the month, day
and year of your birth.
SF 271 would add a primary document to the
list of identification requirements, e.g.
passport.
Testing
Knowledge (Written) Test:
The test contains multiple choice and True/False
questions that show how well you know and
understand Minnesota traffic laws and road signs.
Skills (Road) Test:
The test consists of a demonstration of your
vehicle's safety equipment, your vehicle control
skills and a driving performance test. You are
tested on your ability to drive a motor vehicle
safely under normal traffic conditions
MN Driver’s License
SF 271 Impact:
• Safer roads
• Insured drivers
• Strengthened the work of law enforcement
• Improved relations with the immigrant
community
• Businesses will be able to recruit and retain
workers
• Stronger economy
• Better Minnesota
Current Procedures:
1. Proof of Identity
To apply for a Minnesota driver's license, identification card or instruction
permit, you may present:

A Minnesota driver's license, instruction permit or state identification card that is
current or expired for five years or less if it has a photo, one year or less if it does not
have a photo. Source Minnesota Department of Public Safety DVS division, 2013
If you do not have one of these items, you must present one primary and one secondary
form of identification. Source Minnesota Department of Public Safety DVS division, 2013
The primary document must contain:
 Your full legal name (first, middle and last) and
 The month, day and year of your birth.
SF 271 = Modification to proof of identity
The bill would allow a government identification (e.g. passport) issued by a
country other than the United States to be used as a primary document to
apply for a driver’s license
The government identification must contain:
 The full name and date of birth of the cardholder;
 A photograph identifying the cardholder;
 A unique identification number; and,
 A security features that make the card as impervious to alteration as is reasonably
practicable in its design and quality if material and technology, using materials that are
not readily to the general public.
Current Procedures:
2.Testing
SF 271 Does not change the testing requirements. It will ensure that
all drivers from Minnesota can operate a vehicle safely
Knowledge (Written) Test:
 The test contains multiple choice and True/False questions that show how well you
know and understand Minnesota traffic laws and road signs. Source Minnesota Department of Public Safety
DVS division, 2013
Skills (Road) Test:
 The test consists of a demonstration of your vehicle's safety equipment, your vehicle
control skills and a driving performance test.You are tested on your ability to drive a
motor vehicle safely under normal traffic conditions. Source Minnesota Department of Public Safety DVS division,
2013
 Have a vision test
 Have a photo taken
 Pay appropriate fees
SH 271 Impact
Would ensure that all drivers from Minnesota can operate a vehicle safely and
have an official form of identification issued by our state. This public policy
would protect public safety and strengthen the work law enforcement does
with the immigrant communities.
SF271 will:
• Create safer roads
• Increase number of insured drivers
• Strengthened the work of law enforcement
• Improve relations with the immigrant community
• Support businesses to recruit and retain workers
• Help and foster our economy
• Create family stability and healthier communities