MN DNR delays rollout of new electronic licensing system
Feb 15, 2025 05:29AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Sergey Zolkin on Unsplash.com
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - February 15, 2025
Recently, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that the rollout of the new electronic licensing system (ELS), originally scheduled to be released in March, has been moved to later this year. The current licensing system will remain functioning as normal, and nothing will change while purchasing licenses or registering motor vehicles and/or watercraft until the new ELS is launched.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - February 15, 2025
Recently, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that the rollout of the new electronic licensing system (ELS), originally scheduled to be released in March, has been moved to later this year. The current licensing system will remain functioning as normal, and nothing will change while purchasing licenses or registering motor vehicles and/or watercraft until the new ELS is launched.
According to a release from DNR, the new ELS will "modernize the issuance of fishing and hunting licenses and the titling and registration of boats and off-road vehicles."
The DNR and Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) are working with PayIt Outdoors, a licensing vendor, to establish an updated rollout timeline that will allow them to complete testing and training. "While the updated timeline is disappointing, it will help ensure the new system fully meets the needs of its users when PayIt Outdoors delivers it to the state," the DNR said.
While no specific rollout date has been given, the DNR expects the new ELS will be ready and launched later this year.
To learn more about the new ELS, visit the MN DNR website here.
