Committee hears bills to expand driver-test scheduling and raise no‑show fees

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday considered two bills aimed at easing the backlog for on‑road driving tests by changing how appointments are released and increasing penalties for missed appointments.

Senate File 294, carried by Senator Grant Jasinski, would require the commissioner to make a portion of projected road‑test appointments available farther in advance: at least 50% available three months out, 75% two months out and 100% one month out. The bill also would restructure the fee for failing to appear: a $50 fee for cancellations or no‑shows within 24 hours and a $20 fee for cancellations between 24 and 72 hours. The bill would keep the current $20 fee for a third‑time retake of a failed road test.

The measures aim to let Minnesotans — particularly teenage applicants — plan ahead and reduce the scramble to find appointments. "We've got some funding for it, but it continues to be an issue," said Senator Grant Jasinski, who told the committee many families log on or travel long distances to secure road‑test slots.

Why it matters: long…