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Minnesota

The Minnesota driver's manual isn't enough for the written exam, and the Minnesota permit practice test is just one more way you can prepare. We also have the Minnesota driver's license renewal test, and many more, to help you pass the written exam.

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Minnesota DVS Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying for Your Minnesota License
  • Preparing For Your MN Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your MN Permit Test
  • Renewing Your MN License
  • Taking Your MN Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Taking Your MN Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to Minnesota or Just Visiting?
If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

Yes. Minnesota employs a graduated driver's license (GDL) program, which allocates restrictions and responsibilities over a period of time, until you earn your full license.

If you're under 18 and driving on your provisional license, you will ONLY be able to drive:

  • Between home and:
    • Work.
    • School.
    • A school-sponsored event.
  • As long as everyone in the car is wearing a seatbelt.

During the first 6 months of your provisional license, additional restrictions apply, including:

  • No driving between midnight and 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a:
    • Parent.
    • Guardian.
    • Driving instructor.

OR

  • Fully-licensed passenger who's at least 25 years old.
  • Only one passenger under age 20, unless:
    • You're accompanied by one of the above approved passengers.
    • The passenger is a member of your immediate family.

In the second six months of holding your provisional license, you may have up to 3 passengers under age 20.

What happens after I pass my MN road test?

What happens after you pass your MN road test depends on your age:

  • If you're 17 or younger: You will be given your provisional license.
  • If you're 18 or older: You will receive your Class D driver's license.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

While driving with your MN learner's permit, you can ONLY drive with:

  • A parent or legal guardian.
  • A certified driving instructor.
  • A fully-licensed passenger who's at least 25 with written permission from your parent or guardian.

Once I get my MN permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

Once you get your MN instruction permit, you will be able to drive with anyone who is at least 25 years old and fully licensed.

What are the auto insurance requirements for MN drivers?

Minnesota drivers have the following minimum insurance requirements:

  • Liability bodily injury: $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident.
  • Liability property damage: $10,000 per accident.
  • Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident.
  • Personal injury protection (PIP): $40,000.

How To Get A Minnesota Driver’s License

Driving can afford wonderful freedom—but only if you can prove you’re responsible.

In order to legally drive in Minnesota, you must pass a number of tests that show the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services division (DVS) that you can handle a vehicle and follow the rules of the road.

Still, the process looks slightly different, depending on your age and the type of vehicle you want to drive.

Minnesota Graduated Driver’s License (GLD) Program (Under Age 18)

The MN DVS has a system called the Graduated Driver’s License, which allocates certain driving privileges over a period of time.

If you’re under 18, you must use this system to earn your license.

Learner’s Permit

The first step toward getting a full driver’s license in Minnesota is getting your learner’s permit.

To get your Minnesota learner’s permit, you’ll have to pass the state’s written driving exam. I order to be eligible, you must first:

  • Be at least 15 years old.

AND

Once the above requirements are met, schedule an appointment with the MN Driver and Vehicle Services division, and:

A parent or guardian will also have to be present to sign paperwork on your behalf.

Once the tests are passed, the paperwork filed, and the fee paid, you’ll be issued your Minnesota learner’s permit.

MN Learner’s Permit Restrictions

As part of the GDL, each step of the process comes with certain restrictions.

While driving on your learner’s permit in Minnesota, you will ONLY be able to drive when accompanied by:

  • A parent or guardian.
  • Your driving education instructor.
  • A fully-licensed person 25 or older.

Provisional Driver’s License

The next step is earning your provisional license.

In order to do so, you’ll need to:

  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Practice on your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • Have fully completed a state-approved Driver’s Education course.
  • Log at least 50 hours of driving practice.
    • Parent or guardian must fill out a Supervised Driving Log.
    • Can be 40 hours if parent or guardian has a certificate of completion for a supplemental parent class.

Once those requirements have been met, it’s time to take your driving test. Schedule an appointment with the Driver and Vehicle Services division and bring:

  • Your valid learner’s permit.
  • The appropriate identifying documents.
  • Your Social Security card.
  • The appropriate fee.
  • Proof of:
    • Completing the Driver’s Ed course.
    • Logging the driving practice.

The car you test in will also need current:

  • Liability insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.

After passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your provisional license.

Provisional License Restrictions

Your provisional license will have certain restrictions for the first 6 months you hold it, including ONLY being able to drive:

  • Between home and:
    • Work.
    • School.
    • A school-sponsored event.
  • Between 5 a.m. and midnight, unless accompanied by a:
    • Parent.
    • Guardian.
    • Driving instructor.

OR

    • Fully-licensed passenger who’s at least 25 years old.
  • With only one passenger under age 20, unless:
    • You’re accompanied by one of the above approved passengers.
    • The passenger is a member of your immediate family.

In the second six months of holding your provisional license:

  • The curfew is lifted.
  • You may have up to 3 passengers under age 20.

Full Driver’s License

You’ll be able to upgrade to your full license once you:

  • Have held your intermediate license for 12 consecutive months, violation free.
    OR
  • Turn 18.

To take the final step, schedule an appointment with the DVS and bring:

The state will then issue your license. Congratulations!

Driver’s License (Age 18+)

If you’re applying for a first-time driver’s license in Indiana and you’re 18 or older, the process is a bit more streamlined.

Written Exam

To start, you’ll have to earn your Minnesota learner’s permit. Visit your closest participating DVS office and bring:

At this appointment, you’ll also need to successfully pass:

  • A vision test.
  • The written knowledge exam.

After passing the exam and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your permit. During this time, you’ll be restricted to driving with a fully-licensed passenger who’s at least 21 years old.

Road Skills Exam

To earn your full license, you’ll have to take the road skills exam. Before you can qualify, you must practice on your learner’s permit for:

  • At least 6 months, if you’re 18.
  • At least 3 months, if you’re 19 or older.

Once the appropriate waiting period is over and you feel ready, schedule an appointment with the DVS and bring:

Note that you’ll have to show up to this appointment accompanied by a fully-licensed passenger who is either at least 21 years old.

The vehicle you test in will also need current and valid:

  • Liability insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.

After successfully passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your full driver’s license. Congratulations!

Transferring an Out-of-State License

Welcome to Minnesota!

If you’re new to the state, you’ll have to transfer your out-of-state license within 60 days of relocating.

To do so, visit your closest participating Driver and Vehicle Services division office and bring:

At this appointment, you’ll also have to pass:

  • A vision test.
  • A written exam on Minnesota traffic laws.

If your out-of-state license has been expired for a year or longer, you’ll also have to take a driving test.

Once all of the above credentials have been met, you’ll be issued your new Minnesota license!

Minnesota DVS Motorcycle Permit & License Info

MN Motorcycle License

To legally drive a motorcycle in Minnesota, you’ll have to add an endorsement to your Class D driver’s license.

In order to be eligible, you must already have a valid, full Class D driver’s license in Minnesota.

If you’re under 18 years old, you must also complete a motorcycle rider safety course before you can apply for your permit.

MN Motorcycle Permit

The first step toward earning your motorcycle license or endorsement is getting your permit. In order to do so, you must pass:

  • The state’s written motorcycle exam.
  • An eye exam.

To take the tests, schedule an appointment with the MN DVS and bring:

  • Your current, valid Minnesota driver’s license.
  • Proof of a safety course completion, if applicable.
  • The motorcycle permit fee.

Once the above requirements are met, you’ll be issued your permit.

Minnesota Motorcycle License

To turn your motorcycle permit into an endorsement, you’ll need to pass the on-road skills exam.

Schedule another appointment with the DVS and bring:

  • Your current, valid motorcycle permit.
  • Your valid Minnesota driver’s license.
  • The motorcycle license fee.
  • Proof of a safety course completion, if you’re under 18.

Once the above is complete and the test is passed, you’ll be issued your motorcycle license. Congratulations!

 

Minnesota CDL Requirements

Minnesota Commercial Driver’s License

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) will allow you to drive much larger vehicles than the average car. Before you can start the process, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Already have a valid Minnesota license.

Once the above is complete, you can begin the CDL process.

Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

The first step toward getting your commercial driver’s license is getting your commercial learner’s permit (CLP).

The process involves passing your written knowledge exam. To take it, visit your closest DVS office and bring:

After the paperwork is filed, the fee paid and the test passed, you’ll be issued your CLP. You must hold this credential for at least 14 days before you can take the road test.

While practicing on your permit, you are also required to drive with a CDL-holder who’s at least 21 years old.

Your CLP is valid for 6 months, and there is no option for renewal.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

To turn your CLP into a CDL, you’ll have to pass the driving skills exam.

Schedule an appointment with the DVS and bring:

  • Your current, valid CLP.
  • Your current, valid driver’s license.
  • The Minnesota CDL fee.

You must arrive to this appointment with a CDL-holding passenger who’s at least 21 years old. The vehicle you test in must also have current and valid:

  • Insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.

After passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your CDL. Congratulations!

Minnesota DVS Handbooks

Minnesota CDL Handbook

Minnesota CDL Handbook

Minnesota CDL Handbook
Minnesota Driver's License Handbook

Minnesota Driver's License Handbook

Minnesota Driver's License Handbook
Minnesota Motorcycle Handbook

Minnesota Motorcycle Handbook

Minnesota Motorcycle Handbook