Minnesota

CDL office

Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services
dps.mn.gov

This is the agency that issues and renews your CDL and posts your medical certification to your record. After every DOT physical, confirm it shows on your motor vehicle record here within a few days.

Military CDL waiver: Minnesota has not published a dedicated page in FMCSA's directory. Ask the CDL office for the Military Skills Test Waiver form and bring your DD-214. The federal rules are on the Veterans page.

State veterans department

Minnesota veterans department (mn.gov)

Property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, state education benefits, fee waivers, veterans homes and employment preference all run through this department. If you have a rating, call them once; most drivers find at least one benefit they were not using.

Fuel tax, plates and the federal pieces

Your IFTA license and IRP plates come from your base state; the IFTA, Inc. jurisdiction list has the Minnesota office. Per diem, deductions, quarterly taxes and retirement accounts are federal and the same in every state: see Money. The medical card, Clearinghouse and hardship funds are on Health. Complaints, DataQs and broker bonds are on Your rights.

Help when money is tight in Minnesota

Start with 211: call it or use 211.org for the rent, food and utility help open in your county this week. Then, in order:

• Food: Minnesota SNAP application · hotline 800-657-3698. Self-employment income counts after expenses, so a bad quarter can qualify an owner-operator's family.
• Heat and electric: Minnesota LIHEAP line 1-800-657-3710, or the national referral line 1-866-674-6327. Ask your utility for its hardship plan at the same time.
• Health coverage: a drop in income is a qualifying event; check HealthCare.gov for Medicaid or a bigger credit any time of year.
• Veterans: Minnesota veterans financial assistance is the state program. The national funds (VFW Unmet Needs, American Legion TFA, Operation Homefront, USA Cares, the service relief societies) are on When money is tight.
• Hurt or sick and off the road: St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, within 365 days.
• Behind on the truck or the IRS: the order of operations is on When money is tight.
• If it gets dark: call or text 988, any hour. Veterans press 1.

Health insurance in Minnesota

Start at HealthCare.gov; it routes you to Minnesota's own exchange if the state runs one, with that state's deadlines. Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 in most states.