Minnesota is partnering with Fast Enterprises to replace the Minnesota Vehicle Licensing and Registration System (MNLARS).
MNLARS was built in house and has been plagued by technical issues including charging users incorrect registration fees. Earlier this summer, the state issued an RFP for a replacement system and Fast Enterprises was the only company to respond. The RFP was issued after a technical audit suggested that the state would be better served by off-the-shelf software rather than continuing to develop MNLARS in house.
Fast Enterprises has successfully implemented their software for vehicle title and registration programs in 11 states. The company developed and built Minnesota’s driver’s license system that successfully launched in October 2018, a system capable of issuing REAL ID-compliant cards.
The five-year contract requires the company to “implement, configure, and integrate its FastVS software” to replace MNLARS. The cost of the new system will be $33.854 million. This is roughly $2 million less than anticipated in the final transportation finance bill signed into law by Governor Walz.
The project will be completed in two phases in order to avoid service disruptions. The first phase includes vehicle title and registration, dealer services, document imaging and permits. Phase I will be completed in 16 months. The second phase includes functions not currently available in MNLARS including motor carrier functions. Phase II will be completed in 10 months.
Once Phase I and II are complete, the Department of Public Safety and MNIT will transition to a maintenance model.
