MNDRIVE launches as a replacement for maligned MNLARS at DVS Monday

As of Monday, the much-maligned Minnesota License and Registration System (MNLARS) has been replaced at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services (DPS-DVS) by Minnesota Drive (MNDRIVE).

Walz announces new vendor to replace MNLARS

According to DPS-DVS, people registering vehicles or applying for titles may not notice much of a difference from the outside but the new MNDRIVE system put in place ensures that vehicle services are processed "smoothly and efficiently."

MNLARS, which first went online in 2017, was recommended to be scrapped by a panel of IT experts in May 2019, due to ongoing issues with the system. In August 2019, Gov. Tim Walz announced that the state had signed a contract with Fast Enterprises to provide a software solution replacing MNLARS.

MNLARS needs new software, IT experts say

DPS-DVS online services had been shut down on Nov. 2 in preparation for the change to MNDRIVE. DVS exam stations and deputy registrar and driver’s license agent offices had also closed or limited services from Nov. 11 to 14.

DPS-DVS: Driver, vehicle services limited; offices closed ahead of new system launch on Nov. 16

DPS-DVS asks the public to be patient if visiting their local office for service in the near future, as the way staff enter information into the new system has changed and staff requires time to adjust.

Some changes that the new system brings include:

• Instead of a 21-day temporary paper permit, vehicles will now receive a temporary license plate that is printed on special paper and attaches to the vehicle where the current plate goes.
• It is possible to upload and submit documents required for some vehicle service transactions online, eliminating the need to visit an office.