Key Housley bill included in Transportation budget—alleviates overwhelming DVS testing backlog

The Minnesota Senate on Thursday approved a comprehensive, bipartisan transportation budget that invests billions over the next two years in the state’s transportation infrastructure without a gas tax, mileage tax, sales tax, or license tab fee increase. Included in the budget bill is a provision authored by Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) that seeks to alleviate the Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) current backlog of behind-the-wheel testing requests. DPS faced a lengthy backlog at the start of last year, and the problem was further exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19.

“We need to make the process of getting a driver’s license easier and quicker by allowing private behind the wheel instruction to be certified in giving the driving tests,” explained Sen. Housley. “The backlog has been a problem for far too long, forcing families to drive all over the state for available appointments.”

Housley’s provision 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 nor any Driver and Vehicle Services testing stations.

A recent report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor uncovered numerous problematic findings with DVS operations. Specifically, that DVS consolidated from 93 to 15 exam stations in May 2020, which led to DVS no longer satisfying the legal requirement to make Class D exams available either in, or adjacent to, each Minnesota county. As a result of this consolidation, 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 and lacks a plan to deal with the demand for road tests.

“I’m thrilled this bill was included in the Transportation budget. It will alleviate the stress on DVS, and it will also help drivers by offering them other options for behind-the-wheel testing,” finished Sen. Housley.

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