History of DMV

Minnesota's Office of Traffic Safety is the state's agency that is charged with administering federal funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Office of Traffic Safety uses the money to improve drivers and promote the safety of registered vehicles on the streets, roads, and highways of Minnesota.

Minnesota's Office of Traffic Safety also provides analysis of vehicle crash-related data, high-risk drivers, and traffic safety programs, as well as their effectiveness.

The office works with Minnesota's law enforcement and other agencies involved in driver's licenses, vehicle registration, and related matters. This includes Minnesota's Driver and Vehicle Services.

Minnesota's Office of Traffic Safety also allocates federal funding to communicate the benefits of safe driving in the state. The office aims to respond to and reduce the economic cost of vehicle collisions, death, and injuries in the state.

Minnesota is among other states that belong to the Governors Highway Safety Association, which was incorporated in 1974.

The association was originally formed in 1967, when several Highway Safety Representatives, including Minnesota's, partnered to share information and objectives for driver and highway safety.