Minnesota Suspends Same-Day Driver’s License Printing Over Quality, Security Issues
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — A Minnesota pilot program allowing drivers to receive their licenses the same day they applied has been suspended indefinitely after reports of poor printing quality and concerns that the cards resembled counterfeits.
The initiative, which operated in select Department of Public Safety (DPS) offices, aimed to streamline the process for residents needing new or replacement licenses on the spot. However, according to a recent FOX 9 report, issues with printing machines produced licenses that did not meet security or visual standards, causing confusion among law enforcement and businesses.
Printing Flaws Led to Confusion
Officials say that some of the licenses printed under the same-day system had ink irregularities and lamination issues, making them appear suspiciously low-quality. The defects led to several incidents where the cards were mistaken for fakes, prompting DPS to halt production until the equipment could be reassessed.
Residents who had been part of the pilot program expressed frustration, noting that other states have successfully offered same-day license printing for years.
“I was able to get a same-day license in North Dakota 20 years ago — how can we not print them properly here?” one Minnesota resident wrote online.
Program Expansion Now in Limbo
The same-day service had been tested for several years, with plans to expand across the state by 2026. However, the recent suspension raises doubts about the timeline and feasibility of that rollout.
State officials have not provided an exact date for when the program may resume, saying they are “evaluating technology improvements and vendor options.”
The Minnesota DPS emphasized that the suspension affects only same-day printing; standard license processing through centralized facilities remains unaffected.
Bad news for same-day driver's license program expansion
byu/KimBrrr1975 inminnesota
Residents Frustrated Over Delays
Many Minnesotans expressed disappointment on social media, citing the program’s convenience and efficiency — particularly for residents in rural areas who often face longer processing times.
“It’s frustrating to see this program scrapped after it was finally making progress,” one commenter noted. “You’d think in 2025, we’d have this figured out.”
For now, those applying for new or replacement licenses will need to wait the standard two to four weeks for mailed delivery.
The situation has sparked broader questions about technological readiness and bureaucratic inefficiencies in Minnesota’s public services.
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