12 ways DVS is making it easier, safer for you during the pandemic
Aug. 6, 2020
We’ve all had to make a lot of changes during this pandemic, and the Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS) is no exception. Whether it’s a road test for your first license or a commercial driver’s license renewal, the priorities are to make it easier for you to do business and keep you safe from COVID-19.
Read on to discover 12 ways DPS-DVS has enhanced their processes in the last several months.
You can apply online for a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
You can upgrade from a commercial learners permit to a full CDL or upgrade a current CDL to a higher class of CDL. You can also remove a restriction from or add endorsements to your current CDL.
You can apply online for your seasonal farm commercial driver’s license.
You can apply online for a first-time seasonal farm CDL, as well as apply for a duplicate license and update your seasonal timeline.
If you need to renew or replace your standard driver’s license, you can do so online.
If you don’t have any changes to your name, address, signature or driver’s license number, you can renew or replace your standard driver’s license or ID card online.
If you need to take a Class D knowledge test, you can make the appointment online.
You can avoid waiting in line by scheduling your class D knowledge test appointment at drive.mn.gov up to six weeks in advance.
When you’re ready to take an exam, you can wait in an exam stations’ virtual lobby.
You can check yourself into a virtual lobby and wait in your car to maintain social distancing.
Class D road tests are offered by appointment only, and adjustments have been made to the test itself.
DPS-DVS is not accepting any walk-ins for road tests. They require you to wear a mask and complete a wellness check (DVS examiners wear facemasks, face shields or safety glasses, and gloves). You’ll need to sanitize the vehicle with provided wipes. You can learn more about Class D road tests in this blog.
DPS-DVS adjusted commercial road tests.
Commercial road tests are also by appointment at 14 regional exam stations. Drivers and DVS examiners are required to take the same precautions as in Class D road tests.
The St. Paul Exam Station expanded its knowledge testing capacity.
The downtown St. Paul Exam Station has a new space for knowledge testing with more computers placed at the proper social distance, so more people can take the knowledge test at a time.
DPS-DVS has extended the expiration dates on certain driver’s licenses, permits and ID cards.
Gov. Walz signed two bills into law extending expiration dates, allowing Minnesotans more time to renew their credentials. So if your valid driver’s license, permit or ID card expires during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency or the month after the peacetime emergency end, your expiration date is now extended so that you have more time to renew.
DPS-DVS has extended the expiration dates on disability permits.
According to a bill that Gov. Walz signed into law, if your disability parking certificate or permit expired during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency, your expiration date now extends to 60 days after the peacetime emergency ends.
Regional DVS exam stations are offering more tests.
DPS-DVS reopened 15 regional exam stations to be more efficient and expand the number of road tests offered on a daily basis.
DPS-DVS is requiring wellness screenings and personal protective equipment.
When you come to a DPS-DVS location for any reason, you’ll see staff and customers wearing masks, completing health-screening questions, and getting temperature checks. You’ll also see social distancing signs and floor decals and Plexiglas at counters to provide a barrier between customers and exam staff. DVS exam station staff wear gloves, and examiners wear face shields or safety goggles as well.
For more detailed information about these enhancements, visit the DVS Enhancement webpage.
