More Minnesotans Seek ‘Enhanced’ Driver’s Licenses

ST. PAUL (AP) — The dispute between Minnesota and the federal government over state identification cards appears to have prompted a surge in applications for so-called enhanced driver's licenses.

The federal government is tightening its standards for state-issued ID cards under a 2005 law. The Department of Homeland Security this month denied Gov. Mark Dayton's request for an extension for achieving compliance.

That's prompted a surge in applications for enhanced driver's licenses, which could substitute for Real ID. The so-called EDLs require applicants to present extra proof of identification, such as Social Security cards and passports.

The Department of Public Safety says it received more than 3,000 EDL applications in the first two weeks of December, nearly a quarter of all enhanced driver's license applications received since February 2014.