Who we are

Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) provides driver, vehicle and identification card services to more than 11 million Minnesotans annually. Whether issuing driver’s licenses or providing license plates and tabs, we understand how important these services are to the daily lives of our customers. We are always striving to make our services more convenient, inclusive and accessible to all residents.

What we do

Our 538 employees serve Minnesotans statewide at 95 state-operated driver’s license exam stations and 10 vehicle inspection sites, processing more than 10 million transactions each year. Many services are also offered online. Our customer service staff assists hundreds of thousands of customers with their questions and concerns by phone and email each year, ensuring they get the answers and information they need. 

DVS also partners with and provides training for 126 driver’s license agent offices and 175 deputy registrar offices that operate as independent businesses. These offices provide driver’s license application, vehicle title services and registration services on behalf of the state.

In addition, DVS provides services related to:  
• Motor carrier registration and fuel tax collection
• Dealer licensing
• Salvage and reconstructed vehicle inspections
• Collection of crash data
• Requests for vehicle, driver’s license, identification card and crash record data

Some locations do not offer the full range of services, so please be sure to check which services are provided before visiting an office.

Director

Pong Xiong is the director of the DVS division, a position he accepted in 2021.

Before joining DPS, Xiong spent 10 years at the Minnesota Department of Revenue, most recently serving as its director of tax operations. There he supported the annual processing of millions of returns across over 60 tax types, processing of $27 billion annually in tax revenue across all payment platforms. He also oversaw the agency’s central print-and-return mail process, which generates over 3 million letters annually; integrated tax management system support for all cross-agency functions; external tax software provider certification; and annual legislative implementation.

Prior to his state service, Xiong served in the U.S. Marine Corps. His service to his country included a tour to Afghanistan in 2010.

Xiong holds a master of business administration from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, a bachelor of science in technical management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide and is a graduate of the state’s Senior Leadership Institute.

Xiong lives in Woodbury with his wife, their four children and his parents.

Our history

Minnesota began issuing license plates in 1902 and driver’s licenses in 1934. In 1970, the Motor Vehicle Division of the Secretary of State’s Office became part of the newly formed Department of Public Safety (DPS). In 1972, the Driver’s License Division of the Highway Department also joined DPS. In January 1977, DPS consolidated the two divisions to form DVS.

Questions? 

Visit our contact page to find the appropriate contact information.