Minnesota Instruction Permit

A Minnesota instruction permit is the entry document for any teen driver under 18, and it's required before practice driving with a parent or licensed adult. The DVS runs a graduated program that requires classroom driver education before the permit is issued — Minnesota has one of the more structured pre-permit requirements in the country.

Eligibility and pathway

Minnesota requires every applicant under 18 to complete classroom driver education before testing for the permit:

• Age 15 or older: may apply for an instruction permit after completing classroom driver education and behind-the-wheel hours per Minnesota's licensing standard.
• Age 18 and older: driver education is not required; applicants can take the knowledge test directly.

The classroom course must be at least 30 hours and is provided through public high schools, private driving schools, and approved online providers. Students must also complete six hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor before becoming eligible for the road test (those six hours are separate from the 50 supervised hours that a parent supervises after the permit is issued).

Documents required

An applicant under 18 brings:

• A certified U.S. birth certificate or valid U.S. passport for proof of identity and date of birth.
• Social Security card or other approved SSN proof (W-2, paystub showing full SSN).
• Two proofs of Minnesota residency in the parent or guardian's name (utility bill, mortgage statement, lease, school enrollment letter).
• Proof of completion of the 30-hour classroom driver education course.
• A signed parental consent on the application — both parents or legal guardians, when applicable, must sign in the presence of DVS staff or before a notary.
• Completed PS33133 application form.

Fees

The Minnesota instruction permit fee is $15.50 (subject to legislative adjustment). The fee covers the permit card and the knowledge exam. Failed knowledge tests can be retaken after a 1-business-day waiting period for a $10 retest fee.

Knowledge test

The same 40-question, 80%-pass-mark knowledge test described on the Minnesota driver license page applies to permit applicants. Minnesota emphasizes winter driving — ice and snow handling, snowplow following distance, seasonal tire requirements — and adds questions specific to the state's wildlife: deer-collision avoidance protocols and slow-vehicle pull-out rules on rural state highways.

Permit restrictions

A Minnesota instruction permit holder may operate a passenger vehicle only with a parent, guardian, certified driving instructor, or licensed adult age 21 or older sitting in the front passenger seat. Other restrictions:

• No use of a wireless communication device while driving — the prohibition includes hands-free Bluetooth, navigation, and dictation, except for emergency 911 calls.
• All occupants must wear seat belts.
• The permit must be physically present in the vehicle at all times.
• No driving alone, even on private property used by the public.

Practice hours and the 6-month hold

Before applying for a Provisional License at age 16, the permit holder must:

• Hold the permit for a minimum of 6 consecutive months with no traffic convictions, alcohol-related offenses, or serious moving violations.
• Complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including 15 hours at night.
• Document practice hours on the official Minnesota Driving Log, signed by the supervising parent or guardian.

If the teen earns a moving violation while holding the permit, the 6-month clean-record clock resets. Permits are valid for 2 years; renewals are available if the holder hasn't yet completed the 50 hours within the original window.

Permits and the EDL

Minnesota does not issue an Enhanced Driver License or Enhanced ID for instruction permits. Permit holders crossing into Canada must travel with a U.S. passport or NEXUS card. The EDL becomes available only at the full Class D license stage — see the driver license page for the EDL document checklist.

Driving with an out-of-state permit

Minnesota recognizes valid out-of-state instruction permits while traveling, but residents who establish a Minnesota address must convert to a Minnesota permit within 60 days. Supervised driving hours from the prior state usually transfer if logged on a comparable form. After the permit converts, the next step is the Provisional License at 16 — see the Minnesota teen license page for the graduated restrictions.

Snow and ice training

Minnesota's curriculum places extra emphasis on winter driving: chain-up rules don't exist (most cars use winter tires instead), but driver education programs cover skid recovery, distance increase on icy pavement, and the black ice conditions that are unusually common from October to April. Permit holders are encouraged to log at least 15-20 of their 50 supervised hours during winter months.