Minnesota DVS Permit Test Hours: Cutoffs, Weekends, and Holiday Closures

Minnesota requires appointments for all permit tests at state DVS exam stations. Testing hours run Monday through Friday with strict cutoff times for same-day service.

What Are Minnesota DVS Knowledge Test Hours at Exam Stations?

Check your location: Office hours, testing availability and final check-in times vary by exam station. Treat the times below as planning guidance, not a statewide guarantee.

Most Minnesota DVS Exam Stations are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM. Online permit scheduling through drive.mn.gov is available 24/7 for appointment booking. The knowledge test queue closes between 3:15 and 3:45 PM. Rural offices may close midday for lunch (12:00-1:00 PM). Closed on all state holidays.

• Standard Testing Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM at state exam stations (Eagan, Plymouth, Arden Hills, most locations).
• Testing Cutoff Time: Arrive at least 1 hour before closing. Most stations stop seating new test-takers at 3:15 PM or 3:30 PM.
• Lunch Closures: Metro 'Super Centers' usually stay open. Rural offices often close from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
• Extended Hours Note: Some county offices have late hours (e.g., until 6:00 PM), but knowledge testing is rarely available during these times.

Showing up at 4:00 PM will result in being turned away. Download and complete the PS33100 form at dps.mn.gov before your appointment to save processing time. See our complete PS33100 completion guide for step-by-step instructions.

How do I check today's hours for my exact Minnesota DVS exam station?

Use the official DVS location information for the specific exam station before you leave. Hours and testing windows are location-specific, so the hours of another DVS or county office should not be treated as the schedule for your station.

Does Minnesota DVS stop knowledge testing before the office closes?

It can. Some exam stations publish a final knowledge-testing time that is earlier than the building's closing time. Check the station's testing hours, not only its front-door closing time, and arrive early enough to complete check-in.

Do Minnesota DVS exam stations close for lunch? Some locations publish midday closures or separate morning and afternoon testing windows, while others remain open. Check the exact station rather than assuming a statewide lunch schedule.

Are deputy registrar hours the same as DVS exam-station hours?

No. A deputy registrar or driver's license office can have different hours and services from a state exam station, even when the offices share a building. Confirm that the location provides Class D knowledge testing before using its business hours to plan your test.

How Long Are Current Minnesota DVS Appointment Wait Times

Metro exam stations (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eagan, Plymouth) typically show 7-14 day waits. Rural and suburban locations often have slots within 3-5 days. Recheck drive.mn.gov periodically for newly opened or cancelled appointment slots.

• Appointments Required: All state exam stations require appointments for the Class D knowledge test. Walk-ins are not accepted.
• Current Wait Times:
  • Metro Areas (Eagan, Plymouth): Knowledge test slots typically available within 1-2 weeks.
  • Greater Minnesota (Duluth, Rochester): Appointments often available 2-4 weeks out.
  • In-Person Lobby Wait: 15-45 minutes at busy metros, 5-10 minutes at rural offices.
• Booking Strategy: Appointment availability changes as DVS adds capacity and other applicants cancel. Minnesota does not publish one guaranteed statewide time when cancelled slots appear, so recheck the official scheduler at different times.

Appointment changes and road-test cancellation fees are covered in the dedicated appointment-scheduling guide.

When should I recheck for cancelled Minnesota DVS appointment slots? There is no published statewide minute when cancelled Class D slots are guaranteed to appear. Recheck the official scheduler periodically and compare more than one exam station if your schedule allows.

What Are the Best Days and Times to Book a Minnesota DVS Permit Test?

Tuesday through Thursday mornings (8:00-10:00 AM) have the shortest counter waits. Avoid Monday mornings (post-weekend surge) and Friday afternoons (pre-weekend rush). Suburban locations like Arden Hills and Maplewood process applicants faster than Minneapolis.

• Best Time of Day: Mid-morning (around 10:00 AM) or mid-afternoon (around 2:00 PM).
• Best Day of the Week: Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Wednesday typically has the lowest volume.
• Worst Days: Mondays and Fridays have the highest weekly volume.
• Best Time of Month: Avoid the first and last few days of the month due to license and tab renewal surges.

Avoid opening at 8:00 AM, lunch hour, and after 3:15 PM due to cutoffs and crowds. The day after a federal holiday is exceptionally busy, so plan accordingly.

Minnesota DVS Weekend or Holiday Permit Testing Rules

A small number of DVS locations offer Saturday testing by appointment only. No Sunday testing is available anywhere in Minnesota. All DVS offices are closed on state holidays, including dates moved by governor's order that third-party portals may not reflect.

• Weekend Testing: State DVS exam stations are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Alternative Weekend Options:
  • Web-Based Testing: Where offered, web-based Class D knowledge testing is administered through a DVS-authorized administrator with an identified proctor; it is not a personal parent-or-friend proctor option.
  • Approved Providers: Check the current DVS-authorized provider or administrator before relying on off-site testing availability.
• Holiday Closures: DVS offices close on all federal holidays including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Check 2026 closures including federal holidays at dps.mn.gov before scheduling. Study the Minnesota Driver's Manual (PDF) for knowledge test preparation.

What happens to my DVS appointment if the office closes for weather or an emergency?

Check the office's official closure notice and the DVS scheduler before traveling. Minnesota rules require deputy registrar offices to give public notice of approved or emergency closures, but do not assume an appointment automatically moved to a new time; confirm the next step with the location or DVS.

What Scheduling Mistakes Most Often Cost Minnesota Applicants Their Appointment?

Arriving after the queue cutoff, relying on outdated holiday calendars on third-party sites, and booking at the wrong office type (vehicle registration instead of exam station) are the most common scheduling failures.

1. A teen arrived at the Eagan exam station at 3:40 PM for a 4:30 PM closing time. Staff refused entry due to the 3:15 PM testing cutoff, forcing a reschedule two weeks later.
2. An applicant who cannot use a state exam-station time should check whether an authorized web-based testing administrator is available instead of assuming a personal proctor or informal third-party test is valid.
3. Arriving without the required identity documents can cost you the appointment. Use the dedicated Required Documents guide before you go.

Verify your teen's driving school enrollment status shows as 'Active' in the DVS system before your appointment to prevent automatic rejection and rescheduling. Check your E-Blue Card enrollment status online before heading to your test. These mistakes are avoidable. Check the DVS office locator, confirm holiday closures at dps.mn.gov directly, and arrive 30 minutes before queue cutoff.