Minnesota Driver Education & Licensing Resources
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Why Choose DOT Driving School in Minnesota?
DOT Driving School is your trusted source for Minnesota driving courses, driver education, and free study tools designed to help Minnesota drivers become safer and more confident behind the wheel. Tap any topic to learn more.
We offer a complete selection of online Minnesota teen drivers education, Minnesota adult driver education, defensive driving / traffic school, and other driver improvement courses. Our online courses are recommended for additional practice, skill development, and driver knowledge.
Getting licensed doesn't have to be stressful or expensive. We combine high-quality online education with powerful free study tools. Practice as much as you'd like with our Free Minnesota Permit Practice Test, designed to closely match the Minnesota DVS knowledge exam. Build real-world confidence with our Free Driver's License Simulator, where you can practice driving scenarios in a fun, interactive environment. Study Minnesota road signs, review Minnesota traffic laws, and strengthen your driving skills before ever getting behind the wheel.
From teens earning their first learner's permit and adults obtaining a Minnesota driver's license to drivers completing defensive driving or traffic school requirements — or anyone who simply wants to become a safer, more knowledgeable driver — DOT Driving School provides everything you need in one convenient place. Our courses are 100% online, self-paced, affordable, and supported by free study tools that help Minnesota drivers succeed.
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How to Get a Minnesota Driver's License
From your first learner's permit to a full Minnesota driver's license, here's the general path most Minnesota drivers follow. Always verify the latest requirements with Minnesota DPS. Tap any step to expand the details.
At 15, enroll in a Minnesota-approved driver education course (30 classroom hours plus behind-the-wheel) and pass the DPS knowledge test — 40 questions, 80% to pass (32 correct) — and a vision test to receive your instruction permit. A parent or guardian must consent if you are under 18.
Hold your instruction permit for at least 6 months and log 50 hours of supervised driving — including 15 hours at night — with a licensed adult 21 or older.
After holding your permit for 6 months and completing driver education, pass the road test to receive your provisional license at 16. For the first 6 months you may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. and may carry no more than one passenger under 20 (immediate family excepted).
After holding your provisional license for at least 12 months with a clean record (and reaching 18), receive your full, unrestricted Minnesota driver license.
Minnesota Driver's Education Requirements
Minnesota has specific driver education requirements for new drivers. Tap any topic to expand the details.
Minnesota requires drivers under 18 to complete a state-approved driver education course — 30 hours of classroom instruction plus behind-the-wheel driving — before a provisional license at 16.
Teens must also log 50 hours of supervised driving — including 15 hours at night — and hold the instruction permit for at least 6 months before the road test.
Adults 18 and older are not required to complete driver education but must pass the knowledge and driving tests. DOT Driving School connects you with recommended Minnesota driver education courses that meet DPS requirements.
Minnesota Permit Test Requirements
The Minnesota permit test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. Tap any topic to expand the details.
The Minnesota DPS knowledge test has 40 multiple-choice questions covering traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving from the Minnesota Driver's Manual. You must answer at least 80% (32 of 40) correctly to pass, plus a vision test.
You may take only one written test per day. The instruction permit must be held for at least 6 months before the road test for a provisional license at 16.
Before your DPS exam, practice with our free Minnesota permit practice test — questions modeled on the Minnesota knowledge exam covering road signs, traffic laws, and right-of-way rules. Take it as many times as you'd like to build confidence before test day.
Start the free practice test →Minnesota Traffic School & Driver Improvement
Minnesota offers a defensive driving course for an insurance discount and court-ordered ticket dismissal.
A course many Minnesota insurers accept for a safe-driver insurance discount, reinforcing collision-avoidance and hazard-awareness skills.
A course a Minnesota traffic court may order after a citation to dismiss an eligible ticket or satisfy a court requirement.
Minnesota Licensing Agency
Minnesota driver licensing is administered by Minnesota DPS. Tap any topic to expand the details.
Minnesota driver licensing is administered by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) through its Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division, which issues instruction permits, provisional licenses, and full driver licenses statewide.
Learn about the Minnesota DPS →Minnesota Driver's License FAQs
Quick answers to the most common questions about Minnesota learner's permits, driver education, and getting licensed.
You can get a Minnesota instruction permit at 15 by enrolling in driver education and passing the knowledge and vision tests. A parent or guardian must consent if you are under 18.
Yes. Drivers under 18 must complete 30 classroom hours plus behind-the-wheel instruction before a provisional license. Adults 18+ are not required to.
The DPS knowledge test has 40 questions, and you must answer at least 32 correctly (80%) to pass.
You must log 50 hours of supervised driving — including 15 hours at night — with a licensed adult 21 or older, and hold the permit for 6 months.
A provisional license (16) restricts driving between midnight and 5 a.m. and limits you to no more than one passenger under 20 (immediate family excepted) for the first 6 months.
A full, unrestricted Minnesota driver license is available at 18 after holding the provisional license for at least 12 months with a clean record.
Disclaimer
Courses identified as “State Approved” are licensed, approved, or accepted by the applicable state agency, as specifically stated on the individual course listing. Not all courses offered through this website are state approved or state required.
DOT Driving School is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the DMV, DOT, FLHSMV, any state driver licensing agency, or any federal, state, county, or local governmental agency, except where a specific course approval or authorization is expressly stated.