Legislation Waives the Road Test for Veterans

ST. PAUL — Effective May 17, 2005 military veterans have one less barrier to securing civilian employment in Minnesota . The legislation authorizes the waiver of road tests by recently released U.S. military personnel. Discharged military personnel who possess a valid driver's license, as recognized by their branch or unit of the U. S. armed forces, may have the requirement of a road test waived in applying for a comparable driver's license in Minnesota.

This is especially beneficial to those applying for a Commercial Driver's License (to drive tractor-trailers), where the prior requirement of a road test often presented a financial burden to any veteran who had to rent a tractor-trailer to perform the test. Veterans will still have to pass the written test, but the waiver of the road test will help many make a smoother transition into civilian life and civilian employment in Minnesota.

“On behalf of all veterans, I'd like to thank the Legislature and the Governor for this important new provision for our veterans,” said Clark Dyrud , Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. “It's especially appropriate that we're able to sweep away an unnecessary barrier to employment, and enhance our status as a veteran-friendly state during ‘Hire a Veteran Month' in Minnesota .”

“This is just one more step in making Minnesota a more veteran-friendly state” said Matt Kramer, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

State representative Dan Severson, instrumental in passing this bill through the legislature said “This is important legislation that is crucial to assisting U.S. military veterans in transitioning to civilian employment in Minnesota.”