With Dayton's Signature, Lawmakers Start ID Upgrade Talks

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton has signed into law a bill that sets in motion some upgrades to Minnesota driver's licenses.

Dayton's signature launches a study on how to comply with the federal Real ID Act. The upgraded licenses will be necessary to board domestic flights by October 2020.

The measure is the first part of a plan by lawmakers who want to adopt upgrades to state licenses later this session. Minnesota is one of five states that haven't already upgraded IDs to the national standards.

The Department of Public Safety now has until April 14 to gather information for lawmakers who are optimistic the state can begin issuing the new licenses by October.

Under that plan, Minnesota residents could get their current licenses replaced in their normal, four-year renewal period.