Today, the Minnesota Senate passed legislation aimed at improving wait times for Minnesotans needing to take their driver’s test. The bill, Senate File 3226, allows private, third party testers to become certified to administer behind-the-wheel driver’s examinations.

“More than 13,000 driver’s tests across Minnesota were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. There was a huge backlog before the pandemic; now, there are even more Minnesotans waiting to take their driver’s test. This is a problem we have to address, and I believe this is a solution that will work,” said Senator Karin Housley (R-St. Marys Point), chair of the Senate Family Care and Aging Committee and the author of the bill. “The legislature passed a similar bill last year to allow third party testing for school bus drivers. According to those in the industry, it has been a ‘grand slam’ and ‘gone are the 2-3 week wait time to get a driver tested’. There is no reason we cannot do something similar for the Class D license – especially as the department projects the backlog will grow to 111,500 outstanding tests by December.”

The bill allows private behind-the-wheel instructors to be certified by the State of Minnesota to administer Class D driving tests. The Department of Public Safety would develop a uniform standard on which students are tested, approve acceptable testing routes, and audit third party testers, if necessary, to ensure the program’s integrity. The bill comes following a troubling investigation by KARE 11 last year, which found students of certain driving schools were given preference for taking driver’s tests while other students resorted to camping outside testing centers to secure a spot. In many cases, appointments had to be scheduled months in advance and at locations nowhere near the student’s residence.

The legislation awaits action by the House of Representatives. If it is signed into law, the legislation will take effect on August 1.

“People in Stillwater shouldn’t be forced to drive to Grand Rapids just to take a driver’s test. This is a reasonable, workable solution,” said Senator Housley.

Senator Karin Housley, of St. Marys Point, represents the Forest Lake area and the St. Croix River Valley in the Minnesota Senate. Senator Housley serves as chairwoman of the Family Care and Aging Committee and is an assistant majority leader.