1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to transportation; modifying availability of driver's license road skills
1.3 examinations online; modifying fees for cancellation of a road skills examination;
1.4 amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.13, subdivisions 1, 7.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.7 Subdivision 1.Examination subjects and locations; provisions for color blindness,
1.8disabled veterans.(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commissioner must
1.9examine each applicant for a driver's license by such agency as the commissioner directs.
1.10This examination must include:
1.11 (1) a test of the applicant's eyesight, provided that this requirement is met by submission
1.12of a vision examination certificate under section 171.06, subdivision 7;
1.13 (2) a test of the applicant's ability to read and understand highway signs regulating,
1.14warning, and directing traffic;
1.15 (3) a test of the applicant's knowledge of (i) traffic laws; (ii) the effects of alcohol and
1.16drugs on a driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and legally, and of the legal
1.17penalties and financial consequences resulting from violations of laws prohibiting the
1.18operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (iii) railroad
1.19grade crossing safety; (iv) slow-moving vehicle safety; (v) laws relating to pupil
1.20transportation safety, including the significance of school bus lights, signals, stop arm, and
1.21passing a school bus; (vi) traffic laws related to bicycles; and (vii) the circumstances and
1.22dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning;
1Section 1.
25-00984 as introduced12/23/24 REVISOR KRB/RC
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 294NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: JASINSKI, Housley, Kreun, Abeler and Dibble)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading01/21/2025
Referred to Transportation 2.1 (4) an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the
2.2operation of a motor vehicle; and
2.3 (5) other physical and mental examinations as the commissioner finds necessary to
2.4determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor vehicle safely upon the highways.
2.5 (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner must not deny an application for
2.6a driver's license based on the exclusive grounds that the applicant's eyesight is deficient in
2.7color perception or that the applicant has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. War veterans
2.8operating motor vehicles especially equipped for disabled persons, if otherwise entitled to
2.9a license, must be granted such license.
2.10 (c) The commissioner must ensure that an applicant may take an exam either in the
2.11county where the applicant resides or in an adjacent county at a reasonably convenient
2.12location. The schedule for each exam station must be posted on the department's website.
2.13 (d) The commissioner shall ensure that an applicant is able to obtain an appointment for
2.14an examination to demonstrate ability under paragraph (a), clause (4), within 14 days of the
2.15applicant's request if, under the applicable statutes and rules of the commissioner, the
2.16applicant is eligible to take the examination.
2.17 (e) The commissioner must provide real-time information on the department's website
2.18about the availability and location of exam appointments. The website must show the next
2.19available exam dates and times for each exam station. The website must also provide an
2.20option for a person to enter an address to see the date and time of the next available exam
2.21at each exam station sorted by distance from the address provided. The commissioner must
2.22make at least 50 percent of projected appointments available to book three months in advance,
2.2375 percent of projected appointments available to book two months in advance, and 100
2.24percent of projected appointments available to book one month in advance.
2.25 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to
2.26examinations on or after that date.
2.27 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.13, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
2.28 Subd. 7. Examination fees.(a) A fee of $10 must be paid by an individual to take a
2.29third and any subsequent knowledge test administered by the department if the individual
2.30has failed two previous consecutive knowledge tests on the subject.
2.31 (b) A fee of $20 must be paid by an individual to take a third and any subsequent skills
2.32or road test administered by the department if the individual has previously failed two
2.33consecutive skill or road tests in a specified class of motor vehicle.
2Sec. 2.
25-00984 as introduced12/23/24 REVISOR KRB/RC 3.1 (c) A fee of $20 $50 must be paid by an individual who fails to appear for a scheduled
3.2skills or road test or who cancels a skills or road test within less than 24 hours of before the
3.3appointment time. A fee of $20 must be paid by an individual who cancels a scheduled
3.4skills or road test between 24 hours and 72 hours before the appointment time.
3.5 (d) All fees received under this subdivision must be paid into the state treasury and
3.6credited to the driver and vehicle services operating account under section 299A.705.
3.7 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to
3.8examinations on or after that date.
3Sec. 2.
25-00984 as introduced12/23/24 REVISOR KRB/RC