MN SF3094

By February 1, 2025, the commissioner of public safety must implement plain language standards and create a new written driver's knowledge examination following 17 specific grammatical standards including use of active voice, short sentences, common words, and direct address to test-takers.

The Department of Public Safety's Test Maintenance Committee must convene by August 1, 2024, and meet at least four times before January 1, 2025, to oversee revision of the written examination under plain language requirements.

Plain language standards must comply with the federal Plain Writing Act (Public Law 111-274) and Minnesota Governor's Executive Order 14-07, and all future revisions to the knowledge examination must follow these standards.

By February 1, 2026, the commissioner must submit a report to legislative committees detailing implementation, costs, staffing impacts, comparative analysis with non-English versions, and feedback from driver education programs and English as a second language professionals.

$212,000 is appropriated from the driver and vehicle services operating account in fiscal year 2025 for costs related to rewriting the driver's manual and written examination, including translations, and for the required report; funds available until June 30, 2026.