ST. PAUL — Prospective Minnesota drivers will soon have a new option to earn their class D learner’s permit. Beginning Oct. 8, the knowledge test can be taken online at home with a parent, guardian or adult (21 or older) proctoring the test. The test will also be available at authorized third-party testing locations.
As a result of legislation signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS) will offer the class D knowledge test online beginning Oct. 8. That means Minnesotans have the option to take the test at home instead of scheduling an appointment to take the test at an open DVS exam station.
DPS-DVS is also expanding the in-person options for Minnesotans by developing a statewide network of certified entities like deputy registrars, high school driver education programs and community organizations that will be certified by DPS-DVS to offer proctored class D knowledge tests at their locations.
“Minnesotans, especially those living outside the Twin Cities, have been taking time out of their busy schedules to travel to regional exam stations for testing,” Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Director Emma Corrie said. “As we consider the colder weather months and continuing COVID concerns, an online knowledge test will allow Minnesotans to take the test at a convenient time in the comfort of their own home. This system will also expand the number of tests DPS-DVS can administer and reduce appointment wait times for those who want to take the test at an open exam station.”
While the class D knowledge test will be available online, other tests are only available at one of 14 regional DVS exam stations. Those knowledge tests include commercial, motorcycle and DWI, and are available on a walk-in basis.
Request to take the test online
Beginning Oct. 8, Minnesotans can submit their request to take the class D knowledge test online by completing these steps:
- Go to drive.mn.gov and select Take a Class D Knowledge Test.
- Follow the prompts. Name, date of birth and social security number are required.
- DPS-DVS will send an email to the email address provided during registration with the following information:
- A link to the at home online knowledge test site.
- Test ticket number.
- Unique security code.
- Testing and proctor instructions.
- Proctors must be 21 or older and hold a valid Minnesota driver’s license. Proctors must agree that they will not provide assistance while proctoring the test.
- The test ticket number and security code will be needed to log in to the online knowledge testing site and complete the test.
- Once a person registers for the online knowledge test, they have 48 hours to take the test.
Taking the test online at home
- Online testing will be available Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Once a person logs in to the testing site they have 30 minutes to complete the test before it will time out.
- When the test is complete, DPS-DVS records the test results in the driver services system.
- If they pass the test, the applicant should complete the pre-application online at drive.mn.gov before visiting an office to complete their driver’s permit application.
- If they fail the test, the applicant must follow DPS-DVS guidelines and restart the process to take the test again. A person can only take one test per day and is only eligible to complete two test attempts online. In the case of two failed tests, they will need to schedule an appointment for a third test at an open exam station and pay a $10 fee.
Third Party Online Knowledge Testing
The online knowledge testing system allows driver education programs and other authorized businesses such as deputy registrars, to offer the class D knowledge tests to Minnesotans. DPS-DVS is working with driving schools, school districts, deputy registrar offices and driver’s license agent offices that are interested in this opportunity.
Businesses can choose to charge up to a $10 fee to administer the class D knowledge test. DPS-DVS will continue to offer the class D knowledge test at no cost for the first two attempts both online and at exam stations by appointment only.
Pilot Testing
- DPS-DVS worked with approximately 120 customers to test the at home online knowledge testing system during the preliminary pilot phase in September. Pilot testers were Minnesotans who failed their first class D knowledge test at a regional DVS exam station.
- DPS-DVS is working with the Quick-Serv License (the South St. Paul deputy registrar office) that is ready to offer third party online knowledge testing in their office.
- DPS-DVS is also working with the Anoka-Hennepin School District to pilot third party online knowledge testing for its students. DPS-DVS has reached out to several other school districts across the state, driving schools and deputy registrar and driver’s license agent offices statewide with information about becoming a third party online knowledge testing site.
- DPS-DVS has also reached out to Communidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES) and several school districts across the state, driving schools, deputy registrar, and driver’s license agent offices statewide with information about becoming a third-party online knowledge testing site.
Online Knowledge Test Project Information
Governor Tim Walz signed a
bill into law at the end of July allowing DPS-DVS to use existing funds to develop and implement the online class D knowledge testing system. DPS-DVS immediately began working with IDEMIA, the state’s testing vendor, and FAST Enterprises, the state’s driver and vehicle services system developer and Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) to develop the online knowledge testing system.
Online Knowledge Test Security
The security and integrity of Minnesota knowledge tests are a DPS-DVS priority. DPS-DVS worked with FAST, IDEMIA and MNIT to prioritize security when expanding the class D knowledge test online. This includes:
- Requiring custom test codes to access the system.
- Proctors attesting they will not allow the use of cameras, cell phones or other study materials while proctoring the exam.
- Thirty-minute testing time limit.
- No skipping questions.
- Security feature that suspends the test and ends in an automatic fail when the tester opens a new internet browser while taking the test.
Exam Station Knowledge Testing
Minnesotans continue to have the option to take any knowledge test in person at an open DVS exam station. DPS-DVS offers class D knowledge tests by appointment only at 14 regional exam stations. Other knowledge tests are available on a walk-in basis. Minnesotans can schedule a class D knowledge test appointment online at
drive.mn.gov by selecting
Schedule or Reschedule a Road or Class D Knowledge Test and following the prompts.
DPS-DVS opens class D knowledge test appointments six weeks in advance. If someone trying to schedule an appointment finds that “no appointments are available,” they should check another location or check back later as DPS-DVS adds more appointments to the system.
Additional Languages
The online class D knowledge test will be available in English and Spanish at this time. DPS-DVS plans to add additional languages in the future. Minnesotans have the option to select their preferred language when they register for the online class D knowledge test. They will be able to select Spanish or English during their online knowledge test. There is no audio available with the test questions.
DPS-DVS offers knowledge tests in the following languages at exam stations:
- English
- Hmong
- Vietnamese
- Somali
- Russian
- Spanish
- Karen
- American Sign Language
DPS-DVS Service Enhancements
DPS-DVS made a number of changes to improve the way Minnesotans get services they need in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Online commercial driver’s license application.
- Online seasonal farm commercial driver’s license application.
- Online standard driver’s license renewal or replacement.
- Class D knowledge test appointments.
- Virtual lobbies at open exam stations.
- Appointment-only road tests; adjustments to the class D road test.
- Commercial road test adjustments to maintain social distancing.
- St. Paul Exam Station expanded knowledge testing capacity.
- Driver’s license, permit and ID card extensions.
- Disability permit extensions.
- Focusing on regional DVS exam stations to offer more tests.
- Wellness screenings and personal protective equipment.
- Saturday road test appointments.
- School bus Saturday knowledge tests.
How to stay updated
DPS-DVS answers frequently asked questions related to how COVID-19 is affecting DVS services on the
DVS COVID-19 FAQ webpage.
How to get help
- For driver services questions (licenses, ID cards, driver compliance and exams), visit the DVS website and submit your question using the driver services contact forms. You can also call 651-297-3298.
- For vehicle services questions (ownership transfers, titles, liens and vehicle registration) visit the DVS website and submit your question using the vehicle services contact forms. You can also call 651-297-2126.
About the Minnesota Department Public Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) comprises 11 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.
About Driver and Vehicle Services
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DVS) is responsible for driver testing, driver licensing and maintenance of driver records; driver evaluation and compliance; motor vehicle title and registration; commercial vehicle registration; motor vehicle dealer licensing and regulation; and enforcement of no-fault insurance requirements.
2019 Statistics:
- 1.6 million driver’s license and ID cards issued.
- 1.74 million titles issued.
- 7.23 million vehicles registered.
- DVS’ Public Information Center handled more than 1.4 million phone calls and 106,000 email correspondences.
