MINNESOTA  DRIVER’S EDUCATION

Summary of Minnesota Graduated Licensing Law

Minnesota has a three stage licensing process for minors.
  1. Permit, at least age 15, have completed approved classroom driver education course and be enrolled in approved 6 hour behind-the-wheel driver training course. Driver Ed Kit is an approved classroom driver education course for families that home school.
  2. Provisional License, at least age 16, must have held Permit minimum 6 months & completed 6 hour behind-the-wheel driver training course & 30 hours supervised behind-the-wheel, 5 hours at night. We recommend our DriverEdToGo Video-to use during the Learner stage. Shows the parent how to teach collision-free driving habits and provides unique teaching tools (mirrors, checklists, videos, audio instruction series, etc.).
  3. Full License, at least age 18 OR have successfully held a Provisional License for 12 consecutive months.
*No convictions for alcohol/controlled substance violations or crash-related
Minnesota License Chart
Phase I - Instruction Permit

Qualifications

  • Must be at least 15 years of age.
  • Must have completed 30 hours of classroom instruction and be enrolled in behind-the-wheel instruction.
  • Must pass vision and written tests, complete application, and pay the required fee.
  • Parent or legal guardian signature and certification required.

Conditions

Permit holder may drive under the supervision of a certified driving instructor, parent or guardian, or other licensed driver age 21 or older.

Every occupant under the age of 18 must have a seat belt or child passenger restraint system properly fastened.

 
Phase II - Provisional License

Qualifications

  • Must be at least 16 years of age.
  • Must have completed driver education.
  • Must have held an instruction permit for six months with no convictions for moving violations or convictions for alcohol/controlled substance violations. Must pass the road test, complete application, and pay required fee.
  • The person who approves the application also certifies that the applicant had driven under the supervision of a licensed driver at least 21 years of age for not less than 30 hours, at least ten of which were at night.

Conditions

Every occupant under the age of 18 must have a seat belt or child passenger restraint system properly fastened.

 
Phase III - Full License

Qualifications

  • Must:
    1. be at least 18 years of age or
    2. must have held a provisional license for at least 12 consecutive months with no convictions for alcohol/controlled substance violations or crash-related moving violations, and with not more than one conviction for a moving violation that is not crash-related.
  • Must complete application and pay required fee.
  • If under 18, the person who approves the application also certifies that the applicant has driven under the supervision of a licensed driver at least 21 years of age for not less than ten hours on the provisional license.