Rules & Resources

Obtaining a Drivers License

If you are under 18, you must complete 30 hours of classroom instruction and be enrolled in 6 hours of in-car driving lessons in order to be eligible for a Minnesota instruction permit.

Knowledge Test 

• Must be at least 15 years old.
• Must have a certificate of enrollment (Blue Card) proving classroom instruction is completed and you are signed up for behind-the-wheel instruction OR have a certificate of enrollment (Pink Card) proving enrollment in a concurrent driver education course and completion the first 15 classroom hours of the curriculum.
• Parent, court-appointed guardian, county-appointed foster parent or the director of the transitional living program you are residing in will sign and approve your application.

Road Test

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must have a valid instruction permit.
• Must have a certificate of driver education course completion (White Card).
• Must have held an instruction permit for the last six months without a conviction for a moving violation or an alcohol or controlled substance violation.
• If all or part of your six months of driving experience was in a state other than Minnesota, you must have a certified driving record from that state to verify that you qualify for the provisional license.
• Must have the completed supervised driving log and it must be signed by a parent or guardian. 
• Parent, court-appointed guardian, county-appointed foster parent or the director of the transitional living program you are residing in will sign and approve your application.

Nighttime Driving Limitations

For the first six months of licensure: Driving is prohibited midnight - 5 a.m. Exemptions:

• Driving when accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older.
• Driving between home and place of employment.
• Driving to/from home and a school event for which the school has not provided transportation.
• Driving for employment purposes

Passenger Limitations

For the first six months of licensure: Only one passenger under the age of 20 is permitted unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For the second six months of licensure: No more than three passengers under the age of 20 are permitted unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Exemption: Passengers under age 20 who are members of the driver's immediate family are permitted.

Cell Phone and Texting

It's illegal for drivers under age 18 to use a cell phone, whether hand-held or hands-free - except to call 911 in an emergency.

It's illegal for drivers of all ages to compose, read, or send text messages or access the Internet while the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic.