​​The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) controls how we keep government data, who and how individuals may access DPS data, and how we respond to requests for data. 

Data maintained by DPS have one or more of the following classifications.

1. Public: the data may be accessed by anyone

2. Nonpublic: data not on an individual made by statute or federal law applicable to the data (a) not accessible to the public and (b) accessible to the subject, if any, of the data.

3. Protected nonpublic: data not on an individual made by statute or federal law applicable to the data (a) not public and (b) not accessible to the subject of the data.

4. Private: data on an individual that may only be accessed by the subject of the data, DPS employees whose job function requires access, and certain other individuals and entities as authorized by law or court order

5. Confidential: data on an individual that is not accessible to the subject of the data and may only be accessed by DPS employees whose job function requires access and certain other individuals and entities as authorized by law or court order

All data collected, created, received, maintained, or disseminated by DPS is classified as public data unless the data is classified by statute or federal law as nonpublic or protected nonpublic, or with respect to data on individuals, as private or confidential.

Data subject rights and access information

State and federal laws, including the MGDPA, provide privacy rights on the information DPS collects, uses and disseminates about you. These rights are described in the linked policy and summarized below.

• You have the right to be informed, upon request, whether you are a subject of government data and the classification of that data.
• You have the right to be shown any public and private information about you at no charge.  You may also request copies of this data, but DPS may charge for copies provided. DPS will provide access to the requested data about you within ten days of receiving the request (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) if immediate access is not possible.
• You have the right to consent and revoke consent to DPS releasing private data about you to a third party or the public.
• You have the right to contest the accuracy and completeness of any public or private data maintained by DPS.  You also have the right to appeal the decision DPS makes about your challenge to its data's accuracy and completeness.
• If you are under the age of 18, you have the right to request DPS withhold information about you from your parents or guardians.

​How to request data

You can request to look at or be provided copies of data maintained by DPS.  Direct your request to the appropriate division as instructed below.  If your request spans more than one division or you are unsure where to direct your request, please submit your request to the Commissioner's Office. 

You are not required to identify yourself or provide contact information when requesting data. However, your request may not be processed if identity or contact information is not provided and private data is requested, clarification is necessary, or we have no ability to facilitate inspection or providing copies. 

Fees may be applicable if copies are requested, and payment may be required before data is provided. If asked, DPS will explain data provided to you in a way you understand. 

DPS is not required to create or collect new data in response to a data request or to provide data in a specific format or arrangement if the data is not kept in that format or arrangement. In addition, DPS is not required to respond to questions that are not about your data requests or that are not requests for government data. 

Media requests: If you are from a media organization, please contact the Office of Communications.