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Your driver's license or state ID card could be invalid if you were one of the over 300,000 Minnesotans who got a COVID-19 extension but didn't renew it by Wednesday.

One of the more troubling aspects, when the pandemic hit last March, was the 51-day Stay-At Home order issued by Governor Walz. It went into effect on Friday, March 27th, 2020 and it caused a number of non-essential parts of Minnesota's state government to simply shut down.

Which made it kind of tough to, say, renew your Minnesota driver's license or state ID cart. That's why the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS) issued an extension last year on both of those items last year. The DPS-DVS said earlier this year that there were approximately 300,000 Minnesotans who had either driver’s license and ID cards that would have expired between March 13, 2020, and Feb. 28, 2021. The expiration date on these cards was extended to March 31, 2021 as a result of legislation signed into law by Gov. Walz last year.

But now, as we know, the calendar says we're into April of 2021. Those extensions from last spring are no longer valid. But DPS-DVS says there are still around 113,800 Minnesotans who haven't renewed either their driver's license or ID card which are now invalid.

Are you one of them? If you are, you'll want to make sure you get them renewed! (You don't want a friendly Minnesota law enforcement officer to point that your driver's license is expired if or when they pull you over!)

DPS-DVS has some tips on what to do if your license or ID card is now outdated:

  • Renew online if you hold a standard driver’s license or ID and don’t need to change your name or address.
  • Pre-apply if renewing in person to save time on your office visit and ensure you have the documents needed to complete your application.
  • Check office hours and locations before your visit. Many offices require appointments due to COVID-19.
  • Visit a DPS-DVS exam station Mon.-Fri. No appointments required.

Also, here's a head's up that, starting in October, you'll need a REAL ID if you want to board any flight-- even domestic flights-- or enter any federal building. I got my REAL ID here at the Olmsted County Government Center last November, and while there are a few more steps you need to take (and a few more forms you'll need), it was still a very easy process. (Find out more about Minnesota's REAL ID HERE)

The nice thing about the REAL ID is that you can get it anywhere in Minnesota, no matter where you live. Of course, there ARE some areas of the Land of 10,000 Lakes that are definitely better than others, right? Keep scrolling to check out the 25 Best Place To Live in Minnesota!

Listen to Curt St. John mornings from 6 to 10 on Quick Country 96.5
and from afternoons from 2 to 6 on 103.9 The Doc

The 25 Best Places to Live in Minnesota

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Minnesota using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

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