Aspiring Minnesota drivers who need to take their written test will have to make an appointment because exam stations will stop accepting walk-ups next week, according to changes announced Wednesday by the Department of Vehicle Services (DVS).
The change going into effect Monday comes as the 14 stations statewide have been overwhelmed with test takers who have waited in lines for hours without any assurances of getting in.
DVS will open its online scheduling calendar at drive.mn.gov Friday.
“There is a high demand for knowledge tests, because DVS exam stations were closed for eight weeks,” DVS Director Emma Corrie said. “People have had to adjust their lives and schedules in order to arrive at exam stations early to try to take the knowledge test. We want to make things easier for Minnesotans and reduce the time they need to spend at exam stations.”
That’s welcome news for Gina Byron, of Minneapolis, who at the end of June was turned away from one full testing station and waited in line for seven hours at another so her 15-year-old son could take his test. She was successful the second time.
“I think the scheduling will be helpful,” she said.
But she also wonders if that means her other son will have to wait weeks to take the test.
“That could be terrible,” Byron said. “Why can’t they outsource it to driving schools? You took driving school, why go to another location to take the test? The whole thing has been so frustrating.”
Drivers looking to take behind-the-wheel test have been forced to wait weeks due as DVS tries to catch up on the 13,000 road tests canceled due to the coronavirus.
Exam stations shut down in mid-March as part of Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of COVID-19. They reopened May 19, but DVS estimates it was unable to give 50,000 tests while stations were closed.
DVS has administered 39,594 written tests since reopening. Last year, DVS gave more than 282,300 written tests.
About 790 test appointments will be offered each day, but the number of slots available at exam stations will vary due to social distancing requirements and other COVID-19 precautions.
Testing for those seeking a commercial or motorcycle license will continue to be offered on a first-come-first-served basis, DVS said.
All test takers will undergo a wellness screening before being allowed into the building. They also will be required to wear a face covering, said Megan Leonard, a DVS spokeswoman.
Leonard also reminds new drivers to bring a check, cash or money order to pay the $15.50 instruction permit fee. If driver fail their first two attempts, an additional $10 test fee is assessed for subsequent knowledge tests.
"want" - Google News
July 09, 2020 at 12:00AM
https://ift.tt/3fcr6iL
Want a license? Aspiring Minnesota drivers will need an appointment for written tests - Minneapolis Star Tribune
"want" - Google News
https://ift.tt/31yeVa2
https://ift.tt/2YsHiXz
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Want a license? Aspiring Minnesota drivers will need an appointment for written tests - Minneapolis Star Tribune"
Post a Comment