Heads up, commercial drivers: there’s a fresh set of documentation you’ll need to tote around. As of March 20, 2025, the State of Minnesota is now requiring all Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) applicants, whether submitting for new licenses, renewals, or duplicates, to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in addition to evidence of a current Minnesota address.
It’s an update that means a little more legwork for drivers, you’ll need to have these documents on hand every single time you go to apply for or update your CDL or permit, this includes even if you’re just looking to replace a lost or damaged card and not make any changes to the information on it. According to an update posted by Anoka County, the new requirements aim to ensure that federal documentation standards are met across the board. More details are laid out on the county’s announcement page for those who need to get up to speed on the specifics.
This change isn’t coming out of the blue—it’s part of a broader initiative to bolster security measures surrounding state-issued identification documents. As laid out by the REAL ID Act, states are tightening up on documentation to prevent fraud and unauthorized use of these critical identifications, the end goal being to keep everyone’s personal info a bit safer in these times where digital threats loom large. Drivers should make it a priority to check out the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s guide linked above for a comprehensive breakdown of acceptable forms of proof…