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.

“It is unacceptable that Minnesota families have had to drive across the state to find drivers test availability,” said Senator Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point). “This bill will significantly reduce the backlog of people waiting to take their tests and get our kids through this training so they can drive themselves to work and school and take a step towards independence.”