Two MN bills aimed at digitizing driver’s and vehicle licenses fail to make it out of committee

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Representatives discussed two bills that would make vehicle and driver’s licenses all digital.

The state’s House Transportation, Finance, and Policy Committee debated the bills, that if passed, would eliminate physical license plate tabs and drivers licenses with digital versions.

HF 1335 would allow the state to issue ‘electronic credentials’ that would, in theory, replace physical drivers licenses.

The electronic license would be used like a physical one, and would also have an expiration date and require renewal. However, the bill states that the person would also have to produce a physical copy when asked by law enforcement.

HF 3864 would get rid of physical license plate tabs on vehicles and replace it with a digital system, with enforcement done, mainly, by traffic cameras.

While those in favor of the bills said it would save money by not having to make the physical tabs, opponents expressed concern that the bills could make the state lose money by making enforcement more difficult.

Amendments for HF 1335 failed to pass, and the committee laid over the bill.

Amendments for HF 3864 also failed to pass. The committee also voted to send the bill back to the House Committee on Public Safety. That vote also failed.