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HF 946

Driver's license road skills examination appointment requirements and website information amended, third-party testing programs and third-party testers authorized to conduct behind-the-wheel road tests for class D drivers' licenses, requirements and criteria specified, audits required, and appeals of decisions made by the commissioner allowed.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Backer and 10 co-sponsors

HF 946 allows third-party testers to conduct behind-the-wheel Class D road tests in Minnesota, with oversight, audits, and an appeals process.

Author added Zeleznikar
#drivers'licenses #training #andidcards #motorvehicles #transportationandtransportationdepartment
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 946

Summary of HF 946 (Session 2025-2026) — Minnesota

Purpose and intent

HF 946 proposes to reform the administration of the driver’s license road skills examination for Class D licenses in Minnesota. The bill expands the use of third-party testing programs and third-party testers to conduct behind-the-wheel road tests, sets criteria and requirements for these programs and testers, adds oversight through audits, and allows appeals of commissioner decisions related to these tests. The overarching goal is to streamline scheduling, expand testing capacity, and clarify the framework governing third-party testing entities.

Key provisions and changes

  • Third-party testing authorization

    • Authorizes third-party testing programs and third-party testers to conduct behind-the-wheel road tests for Class D drivers’ licenses.
    • Establishes certain requirements, criteria, and oversight for entities participating in third-party testing.

  • Requirements and criteria for testers and programs

    • Specifies qualifications that testers and testing programs must meet to administer road tests.
    • Likely covers staffing, testing procedures, equipment, safety standards, and credentialing, though exact details are not provided in the summary.

  • Website information and road test scheduling

    • Amends the process for road test appointment requirements and related information available on the department’s website.
    • Aims to improve accessibility and transparency of scheduling and test information for applicants.

  • Audits and oversight

    • Introduces or expands audit requirements to ensure compliance by third-party testers and programs.
    • Addresses accountability and quality control measures for administering road tests.

  • Appeals process

    • Allows appeals of decisions made by the commissioner related to road test administration or tester determinations.
    • Provides a formal mechanism for applicants to challenge testing decisions.

Who is affected

  • Applicants for Class D licenses may experience changes in how and when they schedule behind-the-wheel tests, including the possibility of testing through third-party providers.
  • Third-party testing entities (programs and individual testers) would enter a regulated framework with defined qualifications, oversight, and audit obligations.
  • Minnesota Department of Public Safety (or the relevant licensing agency) would oversee administration, audits, and appeal processes related to road testing.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral
    • Introduced and referred to the Transportation Finance and Policy committee in mid-February 2025.
  • Cosponsors
    • Substantial bipartisan (or broad) support, with listed co-sponsors including Danny Nadeau, Nolan West, Natalie Zeleznikar, and others.
  • Next steps in process
    • Bill would proceed through committee hearings, potential amendments, and vote(s) before advancing to the full Legislature and, if enacted, to the governor for signature.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Efficiency and access
    • Potentially increased testing capacity and reduced wait times through third-party testers.
    • Greater scheduling flexibility for applicants if third-party providers offer additional slots.
  • Quality and safety
    • Emphasis on qualifications, audits, and oversight aims to maintain testing integrity and safety standards.
  • Consumer protections
    • Appeals process provides a recourse for applicants facing disputed testing decisions.
  • Administrative burden
    • New auditing and oversight requirements could increase administrative responsibilities for the licensing agency and third-party providers.

If you’d like, I can add a section with a plain-language example of how an applicant might navigate testing under HF 946 or outline a comparison with current law based on available text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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