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.

“We have a huge, huge backlog of people waiting to take their driver’s tests,” said Sen. Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes). “And that backlog has only gotten worse thanks to COVID. We already passed a similar bill for school bus drivers and it worked better than expected. This will make life much easier for parents and new drivers.”

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. Appointments were being scheduled months in advance and at locations nowhere near where the student lives.

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