1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; driver and vehicle services; establishing full-service 
1.3 	providers; allowing full-service providers to provide copies of certain driver and 
1.4 	vehicle records; increasing filing fees for driver's license applications; eliminating 
1.5 	requirement for new Minnesota residents to take written driver's license exam; 
1.6 	modifying provisions regarding access to driver and vehicle services information 
1.7 	system; making various changes to driver and vehicle services procedures; requiring 
1.8 	a report; appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 
1.9 	168.002, by adding a subdivision; 168.327, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, by adding a 
1.10 	subdivision; 168.345, subdivision 2; 169.09, subdivision 13, by adding a 
1.11 	subdivision; 171.01, by adding a subdivision; 171.06, by adding a subdivision; 
1.12 	171.061, subdivision 4; 171.0705, by adding a subdivision; 171.12, subdivision 
1.13 	1a; 171.13, subdivisions 1, 1a; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.14 	chapter 171; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 168.345, subdivision 1.
1.15 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.16 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 168.002, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.17 	to read:
1.18 		Subd. 12a.Full-service provider. "Full-service provider" means a person who is 
1.19 	appointed by the commissioner as both a deputy registrar under this chapter and a driver's 
1.20 	license agent under chapter 171 who provides all driver services, excluding International 
1.21 	Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement transactions. The commissioner is 
1.22 	not a full-service provider.

1.23 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 168.327, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.24 		Subdivision 1.Records and fees. (a) Upon request by any person authorized in this 
1.25 	section, the commissioner shall or full-service provider must furnish a certified copy of any 
2.1 	driver's license record, instruction permit record, Minnesota identification card record, 
2.2 	vehicle registration record, vehicle title record, or accident record.
2.3 	(b) Except as provided in subdivisions 4, 5a, and 5b, and other than accident records 
2.4 	governed under section 169.09, subdivision 13, the requester shall must pay a fee of $10 
2.5 	for each certified record specified in paragraph (a) or a fee of $9 for each record that is not 
2.6 	certified.
2.7 	(c) Except as provided in subdivisions 4, 5a, and 5b, in addition to the record fee in 
2.8 	paragraph (b), the fee for a copy of the history of any vehicle title not in electronic format 
2.9 	is $1 for each page of the historical record.
2.10 	(d) Fees Of the fee collected by the commissioner under paragraph (b) for driver's license, 
2.11 	instruction permit, and Minnesota identification card records,must be paid into the state 
2.12 	treasury with 50 cents of each fee credited to must be deposited in the general fund., and
2.13 	the remainder of the fees collected must be credited to must be deposited in the driver 
2.14 	services operating account in the special revenue fund under section 299A.705. Of the fee 
2.15 	collected by a full-service provider under paragraph (b) for driver's license, instruction 
2.16 	permit, and Minnesota identification card records, the provider must transmit 50 cents to 
2.17 	the commissioner to be deposited in the general fund, and the provider must retain the 
2.18 	remainder.
2.19 	(e) Fees Of the fee collected by the commissioner under paragraphs (b) and (c) for vehicle 
2.20 	registration or title records,must be paid into the state treasury with 50 cents of each fee 
2.21 	credited to must be deposited in the general fund., and the remainder of the fees collected 
2.22 	must be credited to must be deposited in the vehicle services operating account in the special 
2.23 	revenue fund specified in under section 299A.705. Of the fee collected by a full-service 
2.24 	provider under paragraphs (b) and (c) for vehicle registration or title records, the provider 
2.25 	must transmit 50 cents of each fee to the commissioner to be deposited in the general fund, 
2.26 	and the provider must retain the remainder.
2.27 	(f) Except as provided in subdivisions 4, 5a, and 5b, the commissioner shall must permit 
2.28 	a person to inquire into a record by the person's own electronic means for a fee of $4.50 for 
2.29 	each inquiry, except that no fee may be charged when the requester is the subject of the 
2.30 	data. Of the fee collected by the commissioner:
2.31 	(1) $2.70 must be deposited in the general fund;
2.32 	(2) for driver's license, instruction permit, or Minnesota identification card records, the 
2.33 	remainder must be deposited in the driver services operating account in the special revenue 
2.34 	fund under section 299A.705; and
3.1 	(3) for vehicle title or registration records, the remainder must be deposited in the vehicle 
3.2 	services operating account in the special revenue fund under section 299A.705.
3.3 	(g) Fees and the deposit of the fees for accident records and reports are governed by 
3.4 	section 169.09, subdivision 13.

3.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024, and applies to record 
3.6 	requests made on or after that date.

3.7 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 168.327, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
3.8 		Subd. 2.Requests for information; surcharge on fee. (a) Except as otherwise provided 
3.9 	in subdivision 3, the commissioner shall or full-service provider must impose a surcharge 
3.10 	of 50 cents on each fee charged by the commissioner or full-service provider under section 
3.11 	13.03, subdivision 3, for copies or electronic transmittals of public information about the 
3.12 	registration of a vehicle or an applicant, or holder of a driver's license, instruction permit, 
3.13 	or Minnesota identification card.
3.14 	(b) The surcharge only applies to a fee imposed in response to a request made in person 
3.15 	or, by mail, or to a request for transmittal through a computer modem online. The surcharge 
3.16 	does not apply to the request of an individual for information about that individual's driver's 
3.17 	license, instruction permit, or Minnesota identification card or about vehicles registered or 
3.18 	titled in the individual's name.
3.19 	(c) The surcharges collected by the commissioner under this subdivision must be credited 
3.20 	to the general fund. The surcharges collected by a full-service provider must be transmitted 
3.21 	to the commissioner to be deposited in the general fund.

3.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024, and applies to record 
3.23 	requests made on or after that date.

3.24 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 168.327, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
3.25 		Subd. 3.Exception to fee and surcharge. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 2 or section 
3.26 	13.03, a fee or surcharge may not be imposed in response to a request for public information 
3.27 	about the registration of a vehicle if the commissioner or full-service provider is satisfied 
3.28 	that:
3.29 	(1) the requester seeks the information on behalf of a community-based, nonprofit 
3.30 	organization designated by a local law enforcement agency to be a requester; and
4.1 	(2) the information is needed to identify suspected prostitution law violators, controlled 
4.2 	substance law violators, or health code violators.
4.3 	(b) The commissioner shall or full-service provider must not require a requester under 
4.4 	paragraph (a) to make a minimum number of data requests or limit the requester to a 
4.5 	maximum number of data requests.

4.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024, and applies to record 
4.7 	requests made on or after that date.

4.8 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 168.327, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
4.9 	read:
4.10 		Subd. 7.Monitoring and auditing. The commissioner must monitor and audit the 
4.11 	furnishing of records by full-service providers under this section to ensure full-service 
4.12 	providers are complying with this section, chapter 13, and United States Code, title 18, 
4.13 	section 2721, et seq.

4.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

4.15 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 168.345, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
4.16 		Subd. 2.Lessees; information. The commissioner may not furnish information about 
4.17 	registered owners of passenger automobiles who are lessees under a lease for a term of 180 
4.18 	days or more to any person except the owner of the vehicle, the lessee, personnel of law 
4.19 	enforcement agencies and trade associations performing a member service under section 
4.20 	604.15, subdivision 4a, and federal, state, and local governmental units, and, at the 
4.21 	commissioner's discretion, to persons who use the information to notify lessees of automobile 
4.22 	recalls. The commissioner may release information about lessees in the form of summary 
4.23 	data, as defined in section 13.02, to persons who use the information in conducting statistical 
4.24 	analysis and market research.

4.25 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 169.09, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
4.26 		Subd. 13.Reports confidential; evidence, fee, penalty, appropriation. (a) All reports 
4.27 	and supplemental information required under this section must be for the use of the 
4.28 	commissioner of public safety and other appropriate state, federal, county, and municipal 
4.29 	governmental agencies for accident analysis purposes, except:
5.1 	(1) upon written request, the commissioner of public safety, a full-service provider as 
5.2 	defined in section 171.01, subdivision 33a, or any law enforcement agency shall must
5.3 	disclose the report required under subdivision 8 to:
5.4 	(i) any individual involved in the accident, the representative of the individual's estate, 
5.5 	or the surviving spouse, or one or more surviving next of kin, or a trustee appointed under 
5.6 	section 573.02;
5.7 	(ii) any other person injured in person, property, or means of support, or who incurs 
5.8 	other pecuniary loss by virtue of the accident;
5.9 	(iii) legal counsel of a person described in item (i) or (ii);
5.10 	(iv) a representative of the insurer of any person described in item (i) or (ii); or
5.11 	(v) a city or county attorney or an attorney representing the state in an implied consent 
5.12 	action who is charged with the prosecution of a traffic or criminal offense that is the result 
5.13 	of a traffic crash investigation conducted by law enforcement;
5.14 	(2) the commissioner of public safety shall, upon written request, provide the driver 
5.15 	filing a report under subdivision 7 with a copy of the report filed by the driver;
5.16 	(3) (2) the commissioner of public safety may verify with insurance companies vehicle 
5.17 	insurance information to enforce sections 65B.48, 169.792, 169.793, 169.796, and 169.797;
5.18 	(4) (3) the commissioner of public safety shall must provide the commissioner of 
5.19 	transportation the information obtained for each traffic accident involving a commercial 
5.20 	motor vehicle, for purposes of administering commercial vehicle safety regulations;
5.21 	(5) (4) upon specific request, the commissioner of public safety shall must provide the 
5.22 	commissioner of transportation the information obtained regarding each traffic accident 
5.23 	involving damage to identified state-owned infrastructure, for purposes of debt collection 
5.24 	under section 161.20, subdivision 4; and
5.25 	(6) (5) the commissioner of public safety may give to the United States Department of 
5.26 	Transportation commercial vehicle accident information in connection with federal grant 
5.27 	programs relating to safety.
5.28 	(b) Accident reports and data contained in the reports are not discoverable under any 
5.29 	provision of law or rule of court. No report shall A report must not be used as evidence in 
5.30 	any trial, civil or criminal, or any action for damages or criminal proceedings arising out 
5.31 	of an accident. However, the commissioner of public safety shall must furnish, upon the 
5.32 	demand of any person who has or claims to have made a report or upon demand of any 
6.1 	court, a certificate showing that a specified accident report has or has not been made to the 
6.2 	commissioner solely to prove compliance or failure to comply with the requirements that 
6.3 	the report be made to the commissioner.
6.4 	(c) Nothing in this subdivision prevents any individual who has made a report under 
6.5 	this section from providing information to any individuals involved in an accident or their 
6.6 	representatives or from testifying in any trial, civil or criminal, arising out of an accident, 
6.7 	as to facts within the individual's knowledge. It is intended by this subdivision to render 
6.8 	privileged the reports required, but it is not intended to prohibit proof of the facts to which 
6.9 	the reports relate.
6.10 	(d) Disclosing any information contained in any accident report, except as provided in 
6.11 	this subdivision, section 13.82, subdivision 3 or 6, or other statutes, is a misdemeanor.
6.12 	(e) The commissioner of public safety shall or full-service provider as defined in section 
6.13 	171.01, subdivision 33a, must charge authorized persons as described in paragraph (a) a $5 
6.14 	fee for a copy of an accident report. Ninety percent of the $5 fee collected by the 
6.15 	commissioner under this paragraph must be deposited in the special revenue fund and 
6.16 	credited to the driver services operating account established in section 299A.705 and ten 
6.17 	percent must be deposited in the general fund. Of the $5 fee collected by a full-service 
6.18 	provider, the provider must transmit 50 cents to the commissioner to be deposited into the 
6.19 	general fund, and the provider must retain the remainder.  The commissioner may also furnish 
6.20 	an electronic copy of the database of accident records, which must not contain personal or 
6.21 	private data on an individual, to private agencies as provided in paragraph (g), for not less 
6.22 	than the cost of preparing the copies on a bulk basis as provided in section 13.03, subdivision 
6.23 	3.
6.24 	(f) The fees specified in paragraph (e) notwithstanding, the commissioner and law 
6.25 	enforcement agencies shall must charge commercial users who request access to response 
6.26 	or incident data relating to accidents a fee not to exceed 50 cents per record. "Commercial 
6.27 	user" is a user who in one location requests access to data in more than five accident reports 
6.28 	per month, unless the user establishes that access is not for a commercial purpose. Of the 
6.29 	money collected by the commissioner under this paragraph, 90 percent must be deposited 
6.30 	in the special revenue fund and credited to the driver services operating account established 
6.31 	in section 299A.705 and ten percent must be deposited in the general fund.
6.32 	(g) The fees in paragraphs (e) and (f) notwithstanding, the commissioner shall must
6.33 	provide an electronic copy of the accident records database to the public on a case-by-case 
6.34 	basis using the cost-recovery charges provided for under section 13.03, subdivision 3. The 
7.1 	database provided must not contain personal or private data on an individual. However, 
7.2 	unless the accident records database includes the vehicle identification number, the 
7.3 	commissioner shall must include the vehicle registration plate number if a private agency 
7.4 	certifies and agrees that the agency:
7.5 	(1) is in the business of collecting accident and damage information on vehicles;
7.6 	(2) will use the vehicle registration plate number only for identifying vehicles that have 
7.7 	been involved in accidents or damaged, to provide this information to persons seeking access 
7.8 	to a vehicle's history and not for identifying individuals or for any other purpose; and
7.9 	(3) will be subject to the penalties and remedies under sections 13.08 and 13.09.

7.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024, and applies to record 
7.11 	requests made on or after that date.

7.12 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 169.09, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
7.13 	read:
7.14 		Subd. 20.Monitoring and auditing. The commissioner must monitor and audit the 
7.15 	furnishing of records by full-service providers under this section to ensure full-service 
7.16 	providers are complying with this section, chapter 13, and United States Code, title 18, 
7.17 	section 2721, et seq.

7.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

7.19 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 171.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
7.20 	read:
7.21 		Subd. 33a.Full-service provider. "Full-service provider" has the meaning given in 
7.22 	section 168.002, subdivision 12a.

7.23 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 171.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
7.24 	read:
7.25 		Subd. 8.Preapplication. (a) The commissioner must establish a process for an applicant 
7.26 	to submit an electronic preapplication for a driver's license or identification card. The 
7.27 	commissioner must design the preapplication so that the applicant must enter information 
7.28 	required for the application. The preapplication process must generate a list of documents 
7.29 	the applicant is required to submit in person at the time of the application. At the time an 
7.30 	individual schedules an appointment to apply for a driver's license or identification card, 
8.1 	the commissioner, full-service provider, or driver's license agent who is scheduling the 
8.2 	appointment must provide to the applicant a link to the preapplication website.
8.3 	(b) An applicant who submitted a preapplication is required to appear in person before 
8.4 	the commissioner, a full-service provider, or a driver's license agent to submit a completed 
8.5 	application for the driver's license or identification card.

8.6 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 171.061, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
8.7 		Subd. 4.Fee; equipment. (a) The agent may charge and retain a filing fee of $8 for each 
8.8 	application. as follows:

8.98.10
	(1)
	New application for a noncompliant, REAL ID-compliant, or 
enhanced driver's license or identification card
	$
	16.00
	
8.118.12	(2)
	Renewal application for a noncompliant, REAL ID-compliant, or 
enhanced driver's license or identification card
	$
	11.00
	
8.13 	Except as provided in paragraph (c), the fee shall must cover all expenses involved in 
8.14 	receiving, accepting, or forwarding to the department the applications and fees required 
8.15 	under sections 171.02, subdivision 3; 171.06, subdivisions 2 and 2a; and 171.07, subdivisions 
8.16 	3 and 3a.
8.17 	(b) The statutory fees and the filing fees imposed under paragraph (a) may be paid by 
8.18 	credit card or debit card. The driver's license agent may collect a convenience fee on the 
8.19 	statutory fees and filing fees not greater than the cost of processing a credit card or debit 
8.20 	card transaction. The convenience fee must be used to pay the cost of processing credit card 
8.21 	and debit card transactions. The commissioner shall must adopt rules to administer this 
8.22 	paragraph using the exempt procedures of section 14.386, except that section 14.386, 
8.23 	paragraph (b), does not apply.
8.24 	(c) The department shall must maintain the photo identification and vision examination 
8.25 	equipment for all agents appointed as of January 1, 2000. Upon the retirement, resignation, 
8.26 	death, or discontinuance of an existing agent, and if a new agent is appointed in an existing 
8.27 	office pursuant to Minnesota Rules, chapter 7404, and notwithstanding the above or 
8.28 	Minnesota Rules, part 7404.0400, the department shall provide and maintain photo 
8.29 	identification equipment without additional cost to a newly appointed agent in that office 
8.30 	if the office was provided the equipment by the department before January 1, 2000. All 
8.31 	photo identification and vision examination equipment must be compatible with standards 
8.32 	established by the department.
8.33 	(d) A filing fee retained by the agent employed by a county board must be paid into the 
8.34 	county treasury and credited to the general revenue fund of the county. An agent who is not 
9.1 	an employee of the county shall must retain the filing fee in lieu of county employment or 
9.2 	salary and is considered an independent contractor for pension purposes, coverage under 
9.3 	the Minnesota State Retirement System, or membership in the Public Employees Retirement 
9.4 	Association.
9.5 	(e) Before the end of the first working day following the final day of the reporting period 
9.6 	established by the department, the agent must forward to the department all applications 
9.7 	and fees collected during the reporting period except as provided in paragraph (d).

9.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2023, and applies to 
9.9 	applications made on or after that date.

9.10 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 171.0705, is amended by adding a subdivision 
9.11 	to read:
9.12 		Subd. 11.Manual and study material availability. The commissioner must publish 
9.13 	the driver's manual and study support materials for the written exam and skills exam. The 
9.14 	study support materials must focus on the subjects and skills that are most commonly failed 
9.15 	by exam takers. The commissioner must ensure that the driver's manual and study support 
9.16 	materials are easily located and are available for no cost.

9.17 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 171.12, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
9.18 		Subd. 1a.Driver and vehicle services information system; security and auditing. (a) 
9.19 	The commissioner must establish written procedures to ensure that only individuals 
9.20 	authorized by law may enter, update, or access not public data collected, created, or 
9.21 	maintained by the driver and vehicle services information system. An authorized individual's 
9.22 	ability to enter, update, or access data in the system must correspond to the official duties 
9.23 	or training level of the individual and to the statutory authorization granting access for that 
9.24 	purpose. All queries and responses, and all actions in which data are entered, updated, 
9.25 	accessed, shared, or disseminated, must be recorded in a data audit trail. If an authorized 
9.26 	individual accesses data to resolve an issue and the access does not result in a completed 
9.27 	transaction, the individual must include a notation on the record for the transaction explaining 
9.28 	the business need for accessing the data. Data contained in the audit trail are public to the 
9.29 	extent the data are not otherwise classified by law.
9.30 	(b) If the commissioner must immediately and permanently revoke the authorization of 
9.31 	any determines that an individual who willfully entered, updated, accessed, shared, or 
9.32 	disseminated data in violation of state or federal law, the commissioner must impose 
9.33 	disciplinary action. If an individual willfully gained access to data without authorization by 
10.1 	law, the commissioner must forward the matter to the appropriate prosecuting authority for 
10.2 	prosecution. The commissioner must not impose disciplinary action against an individual 
10.3 	who properly accessed data to complete an authorized transaction or to resolve an issue that 
10.4 	did not result in a completed authorized transaction.
10.5 	(c) The commissioner must establish a process that allows an individual who was subject 
10.6 	to disciplinary action to appeal the action. If the commissioner imposes disciplinary action, 
10.7 	the commissioner must notify the individual in writing of the action, explain the reason for 
10.8 	the action, and explain how to appeal the action. The commissioner must transmit the 
10.9 	notification within five calendar days of the action.
10.10 	(d) The commissioner must arrange for an independent biennial audit of the driver and 
10.11 	vehicle services information system to determine whether data currently in the system are 
10.12 	classified correctly, how the data are used, and to verify compliance with this subdivision. 
10.13 	The results of the audit are public. No later than 30 days following completion of the audit, 
10.14 	the commissioner must provide a report summarizing the audit results to the commissioner 
10.15 	of administration; the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the house 
10.16 	of representatives and the senate with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance, 
10.17 	public safety, and data practices; and the Legislative Commission on Data Practices and 
10.18 	Personal Data Privacy. The report must be submitted as required under section 3.195, except 
10.19 	that printed copies are not required.
10.20 	(e) For purposes of this subdivision, "disciplinary action" means a formal or informal 
10.21 	disciplinary measure, including but not limited to requiring corrective action or suspending 
10.22 	or revoking the individual's access to the driver and vehicle information system.

10.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2023. Paragraphs (b), (c), 
10.24 	and (e) apply to audits of data use that are open on or after October 1, 2023.

10.25 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 171.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
10.26 		Subdivision 1.Examination subjects and locations; provisions for color blindness, 
10.27 	disabled veterans. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commissioner shall
10.28 	must examine each applicant for a driver's license by such agency as the commissioner 
10.29 	directs. This examination must include:
10.30 	(1) a test of the applicant's eyesight, provided that this requirement is met by submission 
10.31 	of a vision examination certificate under section 171.06, subdivision 7;
10.32 	(2) a test of the applicant's ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, 
10.33 	warning, and directing traffic;
11.1 	(3) a test of the applicant's knowledge of (i) traffic laws; (ii) the effects of alcohol and 
11.2 	drugs on a driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and legally, and of the legal 
11.3 	penalties and financial consequences resulting from violations of laws prohibiting the 
11.4 	operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (iii) railroad 
11.5 	grade crossing safety; (iv) slow-moving vehicle safety; (v) laws relating to pupil 
11.6 	transportation safety, including the significance of school bus lights, signals, stop arm, and 
11.7 	passing a school bus; (vi) traffic laws related to bicycles; and (vii) the circumstances and 
11.8 	dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning;
11.9 	(4) an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the 
11.10 	operation of a motor vehicle; and
11.11 	(5) other physical and mental examinations as the commissioner finds necessary to 
11.12 	determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor vehicle safely upon the highways.
11.13 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner must not deny an application for 
11.14 	a driver's license based on the exclusive grounds that the applicant's eyesight is deficient in 
11.15 	color perception or that the applicant has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. War veterans 
11.16 	operating motor vehicles especially equipped for disabled persons, if otherwise entitled to 
11.17 	a license, must be granted such license.
11.18 	(c) The commissioner shall make provision for giving the examinations under this 
11.19 	subdivision either in the county where the applicant resides or at a place adjacent thereto 
11.20 	reasonably convenient to the applicant.
11.21 	(d) The commissioner shall ensure that an applicant is able to obtain an appointment for 
11.22 	an examination to demonstrate ability under paragraph (a), clause (4), within 14 days of the 
11.23 	applicant's request if, under the applicable statutes and rules of the commissioner, the 
11.24 	applicant is eligible to take the examination.
11.25 	(c) The commissioner must ensure there are 50 or more exam stations located so that 
11.26 	an applicant may take an exam either in the county where the applicant resides or in an 
11.27 	adjacent county at a reasonably convenient location. One or more exam stations must be 
11.28 	located in each county with a population of 130,000 or more, as determined by the 2020 
11.29 	decennial census, that is located outside of the metropolitan area as defined in section 
11.30 	473.121, subdivision 2. Each exam station must be open a minimum of one day per week. 
11.31 	The schedule for each exam station must be posted on the department's website.
11.32 	(d) The commissioner must provide real-time information on the department's website 
11.33 	about the availability and location of exam appointments. The website must show the next 
11.34 	available exam dates and times for each exam station. The website must also provide an 
12.1 	option for a person to enter an address to see the date and time of the next available exam 
12.2 	at each exam station sorted by distance from the address provided. The information must 
12.3 	be easily accessible and must not require a person to sign in or provide any other information, 
12.4 	except an address, in order to see available exam dates.

12.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024, except that paragraph (d) 
12.6 	is effective January 1, 2024.

12.7 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 171.13, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
12.8 		Subd. 1a.Waiver when license issued by another jurisdiction. (a) If the commissioner 
12.9 	determines that an applicant 21 years of age or older possesses a valid driver's license issued 
12.10 	by another state or jurisdiction that requires a comparable examination for obtaining a 
12.11 	driver's license, the commissioner may must waive the requirement requirements that the 
12.12 	applicant pass a written knowledge examination and demonstrate ability to exercise ordinary 
12.13 	and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle on determining that the applicant 
12.14 	possesses a valid driver's license issued by a jurisdiction that requires a comparable 
12.15 	demonstration for license issuance.
12.16 	(b) If the commissioner determines that an applicant 21 years of age or older possesses 
12.17 	a valid driver's license with a two-wheeled vehicle endorsement issued by another state or 
12.18 	jurisdiction that requires a comparable examination for obtaining the endorsement, the 
12.19 	commissioner must waive the requirements that the applicant for a two-wheeled vehicle 
12.20 	endorsement pass a written knowledge examination and demonstrate the ability to exercise 
12.21 	ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle.
12.22 	(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "jurisdiction" includes, but is not limited to, both 
12.23 	the active and reserve components of any branch or unit of the United States armed forces, 
12.24 	and "valid driver's license" includes any driver's license that is recognized by that branch 
12.25 	or unit as currently being valid, or as having been valid at the time of the applicant's 
12.26 	separation or discharge from the military within a period of time deemed reasonable and 
12.27 	fair by the commissioner, up to and including one year past the date of the applicant's 
12.28 	separation or discharge.

12.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2023, and applies to applications 
12.30 	made on or after that date.

13.1 	Sec. 16. [171.375] STUDENT PASS RATE.
13.2 	(a) For each driver training school, the commissioner must determine the percentage of 
13.3 	students from that school who pass the written exam or road test on the student's first attempt, 
13.4 	second attempt, or third or subsequent attempt. The commissioner must publicly post the 
13.5 	information collected under this section on the department's website. At a minimum, the 
13.6 	commissioner must update this information on the department's website at least every six 
13.7 	months. The information must be searchable by the name of a school or a location.
13.8 	(b) By January 1 and July 1 of each year, each driver training school must provide to 
13.9 	the commissioner a list of all students who completed coursework at the school during the 
13.10 	previous six months.

13.11 	Sec. 17. REPORT; DRIVER AND VEHICLE SERVICES RECOMMENDATIONS.
 13.12 	(a) By January 15, 2024, the commissioner of public safety must report to the chairs and 
13.13 	ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation 
13.14 	finance and policy on driver and vehicle services recommendations and operations. The 
13.15 	report must:
13.16 	(1) review recommendations from the independent expert review of driver and vehicle 
13.17 	services issued January 12, 2022, as identified under paragraph (b);
13.18 	(2) review the recommendations made to the commissioner in the legislative auditor's 
13.19 	report on driver examination stations issued in March 2021;
13.20 	(3) provide the commissioner's plan for exam station locations, including how many 
13.21 	exam stations will remain open and the locations of the exam stations;
13.22 	(4) identify whether any limited driver's license agents are unable to become full-service 
13.23 	providers because of the restrictions in Minnesota Statutes, section 171.061, and Minnesota 
13.24 	Rules, chapter 7404, and, if so, whether the commissioner would recommend any exceptions 
13.25 	to allow the limited driver's license agent to participate in the fee-sharing provisions of this 
13.26 	act; and
13.27 	(5) propose any changes to statutes necessary or beneficial in implementing 
13.28 	recommendations under clauses (1) and (2).
13.29 	(b) The report must include information on the independent expert review 
13.30 	recommendations to:
14.1 	(1) revise the deputy registrar and driver's license agent contracts to encourage all deputy 
14.2 	registrars and driver's license agents to become or remain full-service providers as defined 
14.3 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 168.002, subdivision 12a;
14.4 	(2) determine how best to utilize certified and impartial third parties for administration 
14.5 	of knowledge and road tests;
14.6 	(3) implement data and reporting practices to assist the commissioner in making decisions 
14.7 	focused on the residents of the state;
14.8 	(4) conduct a staffing review that balances staff quantity and quality, leverages technology 
14.9 	automations and configurations, and establishes performance standards and targets that 
14.10 	meet the needs of the state;
14.11 	(5) identify performance and service standards and create a deputy registrar performance 
14.12 	scorecard and a driver's license agent performance scorecard that monitors user performance 
14.13 	to ensure a consistently positive experience for Minnesotans;
14.14 	(6) provide a rapid response communication method for situations where deputy registrars 
14.15 	or driver's license agents need immediate support;
14.16 	(7) explore ways to speed up background checks of new employees at the division of 
14.17 	driver and vehicle services offices and deputy registrar offices, including using a police 
14.18 	department or county sheriff;
14.19 	(8) promote the preapplication process and expand the use of preapplications to all 
14.20 	possible, relevant areas;
14.21 	(9) evaluate and make recommendations to the legislature on areas where it is appropriate 
14.22 	to make preapplications mandatory;
14.23 	(10) adjust policies and practices to automate as many approval transactions as possible;
14.24 	(11) determine the proper user level field needed by transaction type and explore 
14.25 	additional differentiated user levels in MNDRIVE;
14.26 	(12) allow deputy registrars to have increased visibility to and influence on the 
14.27 	MNDRIVE enhancement process;
14.28 	(13) engage a learning consultant and create a content strategy and communications 
14.29 	campaign to meet the needs of Minnesota residents, including a feedback loop for continuous 
14.30 	improvement and evolution;
14.31 	(14) provide additional training and clear guidance regarding permissible use of records 
14.32 	and enable in-application notation of usage other than for paid transactions;
15.1 	(15) consider what security measures are appropriate at each deputy registrar or driver's 
15.2 	license agent location, including the possible need for a security officer or for cameras with 
15.3 	recording capabilities;
15.4 	(16) offer training in de-escalation and negotiation techniques to all public-facing staff;
15.5 	(17) examine the potential of allowing online applications for replacement class D drivers' 
15.6 	licenses;
15.7 	(18) explore options to encourage people to conduct transactions online or in person 
15.8 	instead of by mail; and
15.9 	(19) study the feasibility of splitting revenue from mail or online vehicle transactions 
15.10 	between the commissioner and deputy registrars and full-service providers.
15.11 	(c) For each of the recommendations under paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (2), and 
15.12 	paragraph (b), the report must specify the status from one of the following categories:
15.13 	(1) the recommendation is under ongoing active consideration or review, including to:
15.14 	(i) describe the current state of the analysis; and
15.15 	(ii) provide the anticipated timeline to conclude the review;
15.16 	(2) the recommendation is in the process of being implemented, including to:
15.17 	(i) describe how the recommendation is being implemented;
15.18 	(ii) provide the anticipated timeline for implementation; and
15.19 	(iii) provide an estimated cost of implementing the recommendation;
15.20 	(3) the recommendation has been implemented, including to:
15.21 	(i) describe when and how the recommendation was implemented;
15.22 	(ii) describe the outcome of implementing the recommendation; and
15.23 	(iii) provide an estimated cost of implementing the recommendation; or
15.24 	(4) the recommendation will not be implemented, including to:
15.25 	(i) provide a detailed explanation of why the recommendation will not be implemented;
15.26 	(ii) provide an estimated cost to implement the recommendation;
15.27 	(iii) provide an estimated timeline to implement the recommendation; and
15.28 	(iv) describe any unmet needs that, if met, would allow the commissioner to implement 
15.29 	the recommendation.

16.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

16.2 	Sec. 18. APPROPRIATIONS.
 16.3 	(a) $7,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $7,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated 
16.4 	from the vehicle services operating account under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.705, 
16.5 	to the commissioner of public safety for payments to deputy registrars. The commissioner 
16.6 	must make quarterly payments to each deputy registrar that was in operation during the 
16.7 	previous quarter based proportionally on the total number of transactions completed by each 
16.8 	deputy registrar. For purposes of this paragraph, "deputy registrar" includes a deputy registrar 
16.9 	who is a full-service provider. This is a onetime appropriation, and the first quarterly 
16.10 	distribution must be made on or before July 15, 2023.
16.11 	(b) $750,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the vehicle services operating 
16.12 	account under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.705, to the commissioner of public safety 
16.13 	for reimbursement to limited-service driver's license agents for the purchase of equipment 
16.14 	necessary for a full-service provider, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 171.01, 
16.15 	subdivision 33a, following application to the commissioner. The commissioner may provide 
16.16 	no more than $15,000 to each driver's license agent. This is a onetime appropriation.
16.17 	(c) $101,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $101,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from 
16.18 	the vehicle services operating account under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.705, to the 
16.19 	commissioner of public safety for staff costs related to monitoring and auditing records 
16.20 	issued by full-service providers.
16.21 	(d) $54,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $54,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from 
16.22 	the vehicle services operating account under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.705, to the 
16.23 	commissioner of public safety for an appeals process for information technology system 
16.24 	data access revocations, including costs of staff and equipment.
16.25 	(e) The commissioner may expend up to $20,000 in fiscal year 2024 from the driver and 
16.26 	vehicle services technology account under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.705, for records 
16.27 	access enhancements to the MNCrash information technology system.

16.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

16.29 	Sec. 19. REPEALER.
 16.30 	Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 168.345, subdivision 1, is repealed.

17.1 	Sec. 20. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 17.2 	Except where otherwise specified, this act is effective August 1, 2023.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 23-03676 

168.345 USE OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION INFORMATION.Subdivision 1.Information by telephone. 
Information about vehicle registrations shall not be furnished on the telephone to any person except the personnel of law enforcement agencies and the personnel of governmental motor vehicle and registration offices.