Think back to when you received your first driver's license — that feeling of accomplishment, looking forward to driving on your own, the excitement of completing every step to learn how to drive.

Thanks to the Minnesota Legislature, that sense of excitement will come sooner, rather than later. Due to additional funding from the Legislature, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) is able to expand our examiner team adding 30 new positions across the state to help meet the demand for driver's license exams.

DVS driver and dealer examiners help keep us all safe by making sure only qualified people receive their Minnesota driver's license. They administer the vision, knowledge and road tests to those looking for a license, as well as inspect motor vehicles for identification and titling purposes.

While we work to fill the new and open examiner positions, we're also spreading the word about other ways to make the system move faster for everyone.

“We certainly understand these appointment wait times can be frustrating," said Jody-Kay Peterson, DVS vehicle services director. “That's why we're doing everything in our power to make sure you get the timely service you deserve."

DVS posts appointments up to 30 days out, but they fill up very quickly. We do get cancellations, which means that same-day appointments are available at many different exam stations. If you're able to travel further for an appointment, we encourage you to look at exam stations outside the Twin Cities Metro Area, which tend to have more openings.  W​e've also got an online subscription waitlist feature, which helps you get notification of appointments as soon as they become available at several different exam stations. This is a great tool for people to use so they do not have to continuously search our website looking for appointments. You can subscribe by looking under the appointments section on our homepage and clicking on “Manage your appointment availability subscriptions."

We're also asking you to help us ensure that no appointment slot goes to waste.

"We want folks to do the Minnesota nice thing and cancel their appointment if they know they're not going to be able to make it," Peterson said. “This way it can go back into the system so someone else can grab that appointment."

On average 23 percent of appointments are no-shows or canceled too late to be reposted. If properly canceled at least 24 hours before the appointment, they could have been put back into the subscription service for others to use.

If you or someone you know is looking for a career where you can make a difference in the daily lives of Minnesotans, give DVS a look. You can find our open positions on our Em​ployment page or sign up for our weekly job update newsletter.