Minnesota has a new ‘Fast’ solution for vehicle services
Aug. 22, 2019
Sometimes when something doesn’t work the way it should, you have to scrap it and move on. That was the conclusion an independent expert review panel came to about the Minnesota Licensing and Registration System (MNLARS). According to the panel, MNLARS’ architecture is sound, but it was too risky to continue to develop it. Instead, the panel recommended a packaged software solution to replace the custom-built MNLARS.
The state of Minnesota put out a request for proposals in June 2019, and the only response was from a company called Fast Enterprises. Fast already developed and built our driver’s license system, which launched successfully in October 2018 and is capable of issuing REAL ID-compliant cards.
The Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS) has now signed a five-year contract with Fast Enterprises to implement their FASTvs software. This is something they have already done for vehicle title and registration programs in 11 states, so they have a good track record. The new system will cost $33.854 million, which is about $2 million less than anticipated.
The project consists of two phases and will not affect current service. The first should take 16 months to complete and will focus on the functions we already have, such as vehicle titles and registrations, document imaging and permits. The second phase, which should only be about 10 months long, will establish functions that aren’t currently available in MNLARS, such as motor carrier functions.
After the two phases are complete, DPS and Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) will transition to maintaining the system and its functions. It’s all part of working to make sure Minnesotans can get their titles, plates, and tabs accurately and on-time.
