SF 1181

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 02/11/2025 11:06 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to drivers' licenses; modifying the availability of road skills examinations
on the Division of Driver and Vehicle Services website; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2024, section 171.13, subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Examination subjects and locations; provisions for color blindness,
disabled veterans.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commissioner must
examine each applicant for a driver's license by such agency as the commissioner directs.
This examination must include:

(1) a test of the applicant's eyesight, provided that this requirement is met by submission
of a vision examination certificate under section 171.06, subdivision 7;

(2) a test of the applicant's ability to read and understand highway signs regulating,
warning, and directing traffic;

(3) a test of the applicant's knowledge of (i) traffic laws; (ii) the effects of alcohol and
drugs on a driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and legally, and of the legal
penalties and financial consequences resulting from violations of laws prohibiting the
operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (iii) railroad
grade crossing safety; (iv) slow-moving vehicle safety; (v) laws relating to pupil
transportation safety, including the significance of school bus lights, signals, stop arm, and
passing a school bus; (vi) traffic laws related to bicycles; and (vii) the circumstances and
dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning;

(4) an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the
operation of a motor vehicle; and

(5) other physical and mental examinations as the commissioner finds necessary to
determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor vehicle safely upon the highways.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner must not deny an application for
a driver's license based on the exclusive grounds that the applicant's eyesight is deficient in
color perception or that the applicant has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. War veterans
operating motor vehicles especially equipped for disabled persons, if otherwise entitled to
a license, must be granted such license.

(c) The commissioner must ensure that an applicant may take an exam either in the
county where the applicant resides or in an adjacent county at a reasonably convenient
location. The schedule for each exam station must be posted on the department's website. new text begin
Subject to the requirements of paragraph (d), the commissioner must make class D road
skills examination appointments available six months in advance, with at least 50 percent
of projected appointments available to book three months in advance, 75 percent of projected
appointments available to book two months in advance, and 100 percent of projected
appointments available to book one month in advance.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner must ensure only qualifying applicants may book a class D road
skills examination appointment earlier than one month in advance. For purposes of this
paragraph, a qualifying applicant means:
new text end

new text begin (1) the applicant resides in the same city or zip code where an exam station is located;
or
new text end

new text begin (2) the applicant resides in an adjacent city or zip code where an exam station is located.
new text end

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end The commissioner deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end ensure that an applicant is able to obtain an
appointment for an examination to demonstrate ability under paragraph (a), clause (4),
within 14 days of the applicant's request if, under the applicable statutes and rules of the
commissioner, the applicant is eligible to take the examination.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end The commissioner must provide real-time information on the department's website
about the availability and location of exam appointments. The website must show the next
available exam dates and times for each exam station. The website must also provide an
option for a person to enter an address to see the date and time of the next available exam
at each exam station sorted by distance from the address provided.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, for examinations on or
after that date.
new text end