Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) this week presented legislation that would alleviate the Department of Public Safety behind-the-wheel testing backlog. DPS was already facing a lengthy backlog at the start of last year, and with the effects of COVID still lingering and a number of exam stations still being closed, the backlog has continued to pile up. 

“This bill simply makes the process of getting a driver’s license quicker, and it allows private behind the wheel instruction to be certified by the State for Class D driving tests,” explained Sen. Housley. “The recent release of the Legislative Auditor’s report further solidifies why this bill is so necessary and demonstrates a clear need for more options for those looking to get their licenses.” 

There is currently a state law that requires the agency to schedule road tests within 14 days of an applicant’s request. However, the Office of the Legislative Auditor last week released a report on the Driver and Vehicle Services’ Driver Examination Stations, which uncovered a number of findings, including the following:  

• DVS consolidated from 93 to 15 exam stations in May 2020. 
• Following the station consolidation in May 2020, the location of DVS exam stations no longer fully satisfied a legal requirement to make Class D exams available either in, or adjacent to, each Minnesota county. 
• DVS has been unable to consistently satisfy a requirement in law that establishes a maximum wait time of 14 days for Class D road tests.
• DVS lacks a systemic approach to forecasting demand for Class D road tests.

If passed, this law would help alleviate the current backlog, would ensure that third-party testers meet the same requirements as state testers, and would provide alternate options to those looking to complete the driving exam. This bill would not eliminate any current employees or Driver and Vehicle Services testing stations, it would only open up a new avenue to reach the same goal. 

“The Department of Public Safety has yet to come forward with a long-term plan for alleviating the backlog and returning to compliance with the law, and this bill will offer them a bit of relief while giving drivers other options,” continued Sen. Housley. “Last year, DVS consolidated from 93 exam stations to 15, which means they no longer satisfy the legal requirement to make a Class D exam station available either in, or adjacent to, each Minnesota county. Some of our families are traveling hundreds of miles for these tests and it is maddening that no solution has been presented by the agency. This bill helps DVS and drivers by offering another solution to tackle this ever-present backlog.”

This bill received its second hearing in the Senate Finance Committee, and now heads to General Orders so that it may receive a final vote on the Senate Floor.