Instrument panel lights will not turn on for 15-45 mins. when the car is started.

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This seems to happen the first time the car is started the first time after a long period of being off. Consistently it takes about 15 minutes for the lights to turn on to show the speed, fuel, and other dashboard details, however one time it took 45 minutes. I was told it was not unusual for the sensor to take a little time to sense the lighting condition for these to turn on, but 45 minutes??? Also told it cannot be checked/verifies unless it happens when the car is in the shop. However once the car has started and I drive the 10-15 minutes to the local Chevy dealer, the lights will be working....this is unacceptable. I now have a new driver in my car and she NEEDS to be able to view all the instrument panel information from the get-go. What will happen on the day she decides to take her driver's test?