How to book your Minnesota written test appointment

You schedule your Minnesota written knowledge test through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) website or by calling their licensing office. You cannot walk in without an appointment — all test appointments must be booked in advance. The state operates testing sites in most counties, and you choose your location and time when you book.

Go to mn.gov/dvs and select "Schedule an Appointment" under the knowledge test section. You will need your name, date of birth, and the county where you want to test. The system shows available dates and times at each location. If you prefer to book by phone, call the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services office at 651-297-2126 (Twin Cities area) or your local county office. Wait times on the phone can be long during peak hours — early morning or mid-week calls are typically faster.

Appointments fill up quickly in urban areas like Hennepin and Ramsey counties. If your preferred date is full, check nearby counties or try booking for a weekday rather than Saturday. The system usually shows openings 30 to 60 days out, and new slots open as cancellations happen.

Key Takeaways

  • Book your written test appointment through mn.gov/dvs or by calling 651-297-2126; walk-ins are not accepted.
  • You choose your testing location (county) and preferred date and time when you schedule, and slots fill fastest in the Twin Cities area.
  • Bring your current ID, proof of residency, and your appointment confirmation to the test site.
  • The test is offered Monday through Friday at most locations, with limited Saturday hours in some counties.
  • If you miss your appointment without canceling, you may lose your fee and have to reschedule.

What documents to bring to your test appointment

Bring your current valid ID (passport, state ID, or out-of-state driver's license) and one document showing your current Minnesota address. A utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works. Do not bring originals of documents you will need later — bring copies or documents you can leave with the examiner.

Bring your appointment confirmation email or the confirmation number from when you booked. The testing site will not let you test without proof that you scheduled. If you booked by phone and did not receive a confirmation, call back to get your confirmation number before you go.

You do not need to bring study materials or notes. The test is closed-book, and you cannot reference anything during the exam. Bring a pen if the location requires it, though most sites provide writing instruments.

Testing locations and hours across Minnesota

Minnesota has Driver and Vehicle Services exam stations in most counties. The Twin Cities metro area (Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, and Dakota counties) has the most locations and the most frequent appointment slots. Rural counties may have fewer testing days per week or longer wait times between available appointments.

Most locations are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some variation by site. A few larger offices offer Saturday morning testing, but these slots book much faster. Check the specific hours for your chosen location when you schedule — hours vary by county office.

If your county has no nearby testing site, you can test in an adjacent county. The test itself is the same statewide, and your results are valid no matter where you take it. Some people travel to less-busy counties to get faster appointments, though you will still need to pass the test in Minnesota to get a Minnesota license.

Rescheduling or canceling your appointment

Cancel or reschedule through the same website where you booked (mn.gov/dvs) or by calling your local DPS office. If you cancel at least 24 hours before your appointment, you keep your fee and can rebook. If you cancel within 24 hours or miss your appointment without canceling, you lose your fee and must pay again to schedule a new test.

Life happens — if you need to reschedule, do it as soon as you know. The online system lets you cancel and rebook in one session, which is faster than calling. If you call, have your confirmation number ready so the staff member can pull up your appointment quickly.

If you miss your appointment and want to test again, you will need to pay the knowledge test fee a second time. Minnesota does not waive fees for missed appointments, so mark your calendar and set a phone reminder the day before.

Test fees and payment methods

The Minnesota written knowledge test costs $10.50. You pay when you schedule your appointment online or by phone. Minnesota accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic check (ACH) payments. If you pay by phone, the staff member will process your card during the call.

The fee is non-refundable if you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment or if you miss the appointment. If you cancel more than 24 hours in advance, you can explore the fee to a new appointment or request a refund — ask the staff member when you cancel which option is available at your location.

If you fail the test, you do not pay again to retake it at your next appointment. You reschedule at no additional cost. You only pay the $10.50 fee once per test attempt.

What to expect on test day

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Bring your confirmation number, valid ID, and proof of Minnesota residency. The examiner will check your documents, verify your identity, and confirm you are testing for the correct license type (Class D for regular passenger vehicles, Class C for commercial, etc.).

You will take the test on a computer at most Minnesota locations. The test has 40 questions and you must answer at least 32 correctly to pass (80 percent). You have up to one hour to complete it. The computer shows your score when ready after you finish. If you pass, the examiner will tell you what to do next — usually scheduling a road test or explore for your license in person at a Secretary of State office.

If you fail, you can reschedule to retake the test. There is no waiting period between attempts in Minnesota, so you can book another appointment right away if slots are available. Many people study the Minnesota Driver's Manual between attempts and pass on the second try.

Common mistakes when scheduling your test

The most common error is booking at the wrong location. Double-check that you are scheduling in the county where you live or where you want to test. Some people accidentally book in a neighboring county and then show up at the wrong office.

Another frequent mistake is not bringing the right documents. The examiner will turn you away if you do not have valid ID and proof of your current address. A photo on your phone does not count — bring the physical document or a copy.

People also miss appointments because they forget the date or time. When you book online, print or screenshot your confirmation. Set a phone reminder for the day before. If you booked by phone and did not write down the date and time, call back to confirm before you go.

Do not assume you can walk in without an appointment. Minnesota requires advance scheduling for all written tests. If you show up without booking, you will be turned away and will have to schedule online or by phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule my test more than 60 days in advance?

No. The Minnesota DPS system only shows and allows booking for appointments within the next 60 days. If you need a test date further out, call your local office to ask about future availability, though they may not be able to book that far ahead. Check back online every week or two as new dates open up.

What if all appointments in my county are full?

Book in a neighboring county instead. Your test results are valid statewide, and you can use a passing score from any Minnesota location to move forward with your license. Rural counties often have more open slots than the Twin Cities area.

Do I need to reschedule if I fail the written test?

Yes. After you fail, you must schedule a new appointment to retake the test. There is no automatic retry — you book a new slot just like the first time. There is no waiting period, so you can schedule your next attempt right away if you want to study and try again soon.

What happens if I am late to my appointment?

If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, the testing site may not let you test and may count it as a missed appointment. You would lose your fee and have to reschedule. Call ahead if you are running late — some offices will hold your slot for a few extra minutes if you call to explain.

Can someone else schedule the test for me?

You must schedule your own appointment using your name and date of birth. A family member or friend can help you navigate the website or make the phone call, but the appointment has to be in your name and you have to be the one taking the test.