ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division celebrated the opening of a new vehicle inspection site in Duluth on Dec. 16, the last of eight new vehicle inspection sites that aim to meet the increase in public need and help protect against salvage vehicle fraud. DVS has also opened sites in Brooklyn Center, St. Cloud, Rochester, Marshall, Mankato, Fergus Falls and Bemidji with funding from the Legislature.

DVS began the expansion in 2021 in response to the overwhelming need for vehicle inspections, which experienced a surge during the pandemic. Prior to the expansion, there were two full-time inspection sites and eight inspectors which could not keep up with statewide demand, creating a backlog and frustration for customers. 

DVS now has eight full-time inspection sites and 20 inspectors throughout Minnesota to help protect consumers who buy salvaged vehicles. These facilities exist to ensure vehicles that are declared a total loss and then rebuilt are rebuilt with legally obtained parts. So far in 2025, DVS inspectors have conducted 23,758 vehicle inspections. The new facilities have already eliminated the backlog.

“We heard the frustration from customers loud and clear, and we’re happy to say we can now meet the needs of Minnesotans when it comes to vehicle inspections,” said DVS Director Pong Xiong. “We’re proud of the work our inspectors do to help combat vehicle fraud, which costs Minnesotans millions of dollars each year.”

In collaboration with law enforcement, these inspectors have played a critical role in recovering $1.8 million in fraudulent vehicles this last year. In many of the cases, the inspectors identified something was wrong and started investigations that have led to the recovery of stolen vehicles.

They also work to ensure that auto dealers understand and follow Minnesota statutes by visiting every newly licensed auto dealer to verify compliance. DVS inspectors have conducted 3,208 dealer inspections this year to date.

“This not only boosts Minnesotans’ confidence in the auto-buying process, but helps those in the industry succeed,” Xiong said.