Last week, the Minnesota Senate passed legislation aimed at improving wait times for Minnesotans taking driver’s tests and written permit tests. The bill, Senate File 4, would allow written permit tests to be offered at deputy registrar offices, high schools, libraries, or other third-party locations. Providing permit tests at these additional locations will cut down on lines at Department of Vehicle Services (DVS) locations, reduce scheduling at testing centers, and allow DVS to focus on scheduling the thousands of people waiting to get their driver’s license.

On the final day of special session, the House passed the bill unanimously. If it is signed into law, the legislation will take effect on November 1, 2020.

“This is a huge win for Minnesota families,” said Senator Karin Housley (R-St. Marys Point), chair of the Senate Family Care and Aging Committee and the author of the bill. “The excessive wait times that constituents have been experiencing will be vastly improved thanks to this bill. A lot of compromise and effort went into this agreement, but it was all worth it knowing that our kids will be able to take their drivers tests soon and experience an exciting new chapter!”