Minnesota Requirements

Minnesota Requirements and Restrictions for Teen Drivers
New restrictions on Provisional Drivers as of August 1, 2008. (Scroll down.)

Phase I Instruction Permit
Qualifications
-Must be at least 15 years of age.
-Must have completed 30 hours of classroom instruction and be enrolled in behind-the-wheel instruction.
-Must pass vision and written tests, complete application, and pay the required fee.
-Parent or legal guardian signature and certification required.

Restrictions: Permit holder may drive under the supervision of a certified driving instructor, parent or guardian, or other licensed driver age 21 or older. Every occupant under the age of 18 must have a seat belt or child passenger restraint system properly fastened. No cell phone use is allowed (includes no text messaging or hands-free devices).

Cost of Permit: $12.00; Valid for 2 years, Renewable

Phase II Provisional License
Qualifications
-Must be at least 16 years of age.
-Must have completed driver education.
-Must have held an instruction permit for six months with no convictions for moving violations or convictions for alcohol/controlled substance violations. (M.S. 169A.20 & 169A.54 Driving Under the Influence; M.S. 169A.33 & 169A.54 Underage Drinking and Driving; M.S.169A.35 Open Bottle; M.S. 169A.50 M.S.169A.51 M.S.169A.52 and M.S. 169.53 Implied Consent)
NOTE: If all or part of your six months of driving experience was in a state other than Minnesota, you must present a certified driving record from that state.
-Must pass the road test, complete application, and pay required fee.
-The person who approves the application also certifies that the applicant had driven under the supervision of a licensed driver at least 21 years of age for not less than 30 hours, at least ten of which were at night.

Restrictions: Every occupant under the age of 18 must have a seat belt or child passenger restraint system properly fastened. No cell phone use is allowed (includes no text messaging or hands-free devices).
As of August 1, 2008, there are additional new restrictions on provisional drivers.
Nighttime Driving Limitation —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. The nighttime limitation is lifted after the first six months of licensure.

Teen 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 immediate family are permitted.

These provisions also apply to teens licensed before August 1, 2008. For example, a teen licensed on July 1 has five months and a subsequent six months of limitation requirements, rather than starting the limitation time periods anew on August 1.

Cost of Provisional License: $15.00, Valid for two years

Phase III Regular License
Qualifications
-Must be at least 18 years of age or
-Must have held a provisional license for at least 12 consecutive months with no convictions for alcohol/controlled substance violations or crash-related moving violations, and with not more than one conviction for a moving violation that is not crash-related.
-Must complete application and pay required fee.
-If under 18, the person who approves the application also certifies that the applicant has driven under the supervision of a licensed driver at least 21 years of age for not less than ten hours on the provisional license.

Cost of Regular License (Under 21): $23.00; There is a $3.50 credit toward the fee for this license if the applicant has had no violations on record; Expires on 21st birthday.

Office Telephone: 651-351-9150 FAX number: 612-677-3755 Office Mailing Address: 5859 Neal Av. North, Stillwater, Minnesota 55082