Safeway provides three, two-hour behind-the-wheel lessons. We recommend the lessons be scheduled at least 30 days apart so students have adequate time for practice. Each lesson has its own goals and objectives. As soon as the student receives their hard card photo permit in the mail from the State, they should click the "Student Login" button in the upper right corner of this page to register the permit number.  The first lesson should be taken 6-8 weeks after the student gets their permit.  The second lesson should be 4-6 weeks after the first lesson. The third lesson can be scheduled either 4-6 weeks after the second lesson or a few weeks before the Road Test, depending on the student's preference. We have found that this sequence and timing of lessons produces a confident and competent driver that is eager to drive. Many of our instructors do back-to-back lessons. The first student of the day is picked up from home or school at the scheduled time. Toward the end of the lesson (last 10-15 minutes), the first student will drive to the second student's home. The second student will get into the back seat and the first student will finish their lesson time by driving themselves home. The second student will then begin their lesson time from the first student's home at the scheduled time. Each student will get their full two-hour lesson time.

1 Lesson #1 is our "basic" lesson. Basic vehicle operation and control is emphasized including starting, stopping, lane control, following distance, along with good observation techniques. The student must demonstrate a knowledge of all vehicle controls and warning lights. Merge vs. yield, SMOG and Gap-Gauge-Go are put into practice. 2 Lesson #2 is our "freeway and downtown" lesson. This lesson is a milestone for most students. It allows them to find out how proficient a driver they really are. The student travels either into or back from downtown St. Paul or Minneapolis on the freeway. Once downtown, the student performs multiple left and right turns from and onto one-way streets, as well as multiple lane changes. Crosswalks and pedestrians are covered in detail.  Freeway driving emphasizes exit and entrance ramps of both cloverleaf and diamond interchanges. 3 Lesson #3 is our "parking" lesson. During this lesson, students become proficient at parallel and 90-degree corner back parking. Students also learn the proper procedures for hill parking and parking lot procedures.  At this lesson, the students receive their White Card, the course completion card. The White Card must be presented at the Road Test.