Residents in Dakota County looking to quickly put a driver's license in their wallet will soon have to adjust expectations. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Driver and Vehicle Services division has decided not to permanently adopt the same-day license initiative piloted at the Lakeville License Center. Come October 31, the quick print feature sails into the sunset, and it's back to snail mail, as reported by Dakota County on October 20th.
The innovative pilot allowed locals to walk into the License Center, fill out the paperwork, snap a photo, and leave with a new standard driver's license in hand. Despite the convenience, the trial run fell short. It seems the cards produced on the spot didn't quite match up to the quality of their state-contracted vendor cousins; some residents, clearly not thrilled, ran into issues due to these disparities, prompting a recommendation to discontinue the program.
As reported by Dakota County's official news update, standard driver's licenses, identification cards, and permits will continue to be issued at the Lakeville location. However, the days of walking out with a new ID tucked neatly into your pocket are on their way out. From November, Lakeville dwellers will be relegated to checking the mailbox, awaiting the familiar envelope postmarked by officialdom.
Despite the end of the same-day service, the Lakeville License Center continues to serve the public with operating hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and it's extending late hours to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Those interested in obtaining more details or in need of further services can still visit the Service & License Center page.
