Web-Based Permit Application Pilot Program

The Office of Motor Carrier Services is testing a new Web-based system that allows contractors and other users of large commercial vehicles to apply electronically for annual permits in less than 15 minutes.  The pilot program includes eleven AGC of Minnesota contractors; MN/DOT hopes to have a complete automated system available to all customers by June, 2003.

Mn/DOT launched the new application in late February in response to the large volume of requests it received for road permits and the slow turn-around time for issuing the permits.  "The old way of applying for permits required customers to call in their request - it could take up to two days to issue a permit," said Becky Ellinghuysen, a supervisor with the Office of Motor Carrier Services and project manager for the new system.

The department processes more than 57,000 single-trip permits each year and receives nearly 120,000 requests by telephone for information or for over-dimension or oversized vehicle permits.

Mn/DOT chose eleven companies that are members of the Minnesota chapter of the Associated General Contractors, the nations oldest construction trade association, to test the new system.

"We've worked with Mn/DOT for the last two and a half years in developing this system," said Wayne Murphy, director of AGC's Minnesota Highway-Heavy division. "The new system is phenomenal - it's faster, and it seems flawless."

"We request an average of 30 permits a week," said Jim Hartman, a dispatcher with Truck Crane Service of St. Paul.  "It's a giant step forward (for the department).  It's definitely a privilege to be in this pilot."

With the new system, applicants type in basic information consisting of vehicle size and weight, requested travel route and final destination.  The system is highly advanced, according to Pierre Carpenter, Motor Carrier Services permit supervisor.

"After the customer enters the information, the system will edit it and decide if it's correct or not; if not, drop-down screens will help the customer to enter the correct information," he said.

The permit process plays a major role in the completion of construction projects by transporting heavy equipment and materials.  The quicker the permit process works, the faster the contractors can get their crews out on the road to deliver those projects in a safe, timely manner.

"This process is a stepping stone.  Our ultimate goal is to have a system that requires no human intervention," Ellinghuysen said.