Minnesota Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your Minnesota learner's permit — age, fees, documents for the written test, supervised-hours rules, and what the road test itself checks — summarized from the official DVS pages and linked to the source.
MinnesotaDVSMinnesota Department of Public Safety — License FeesChecked 2026-08-12Official source
MinnesotaDVSMinnesota DVS — Driver's ManualChecked 2026-07-13Official source
MinnesotaDVSMinnesota DVS — Driver's ManualChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Last verified 2026-07-13 · Source: Minnesota DVS — Driver's Manual ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
The Minnesota licensing timeline
Each stage below carries what DVS itself publishes, the people it applies to, the page it came from, and the date we last checked it. Where DVS publishes no figure, the card says so instead of guessing one.
1Eligibility
Instruction permit applicant must be at least 15 and have completed classroom instruction if under 18
2Documents
DVS lists these for the knowledge-test visit:
- Proof of identity and date of birth
- Proof of Social Security number, if issued
- Proof of Minnesota residency
- Certificate of classroom driver education completion, if under 18
- Parent/guardian approval, if under 18
The knowledge test and the permit itself are handled in the same visit.
MinnesotaDVSMinnesota DVS — Driver's ManualChecked 2026-07-13Official source
3Required education
Minnesota's own published steps name a training requirement:
- Complete classroom driver education if under 18 and pass the knowledge and vision tests
MinnesotaDVSMinnesota DVS — Driver's ManualChecked 2026-07-13Official source
4Application
Permit fee$29.50MinnesotaDVSMinnesota Department of Public Safety — License FeesChecked 2026-08-12Official source
Web search: ~$14.25 instruction permit fee (one source cites $29.50)
5Knowledge test
Questions on the official testDVS does not publish thisMinnesotaDVSMinnesota DVS — Driver's ManualChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Official passing scoreDVS does not publish thisMinnesotaDVSMinnesota DVS — Driver's ManualChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Wait before a retakeDVS does not publish a verified retake waitMinnesotaDVSMN official knowledge-test sourceChecked 2026-08-12Official source
6Permit restrictions
Permit validity24 monthsMinnesotaDVSMinnesota DVS — Driver's ManualChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Restrictions Minnesota puts on a new driver:
- Permit supervision: Permit holder must drive with a licensed driver age 21 or older seated beside them
- Provisional first 6 months: For the first 6 months, no driving midnight–5 a.m. except with exceptions such as a licensed driver 25+, work, school event, or employment
- Provisional passenger rule: For the first 6 months, only one passenger under 20 unless a parent/guardian is present; months 7–12 allow no more than three passengers under 20 unless a parent/guardian is present
MinnesotaDVSMinnesota DVS — Driver's ManualChecked 2026-07-13Official source
7Supervised driving
Supervised driving for applicants under 1850 hours (15 at night)MinnesotaDVSMinnesota DVS — Driver's ManualChecked 2026-07-13Official source
If a parent/guardian completes the supplemental parent class, the total requirement may be reduced to 40 hours with 15 at night. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
8Road test
Minimum permit hold6 monthsMinnesotaDVSMinnesota DVS — Driver's ManualChecked 2026-07-13Official source
9Full licence
Unrestricted driving age16MinnesotaDVSMinnesota DVS — Driver's ManualChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Provisional license at 16+ after permit hold, practice hours, and road test
How to get your permit in Minnesota
- Complete classroom driver education if under 18 and pass the knowledge and vision tests
- Apply for the instruction permit at 15+ with required documents and parent/guardian approval
- Hold the permit at least 6 months while logging 50 supervised hours, 15 at night
- Complete behind-the-wheel instruction and pass the road test at 16+
- Follow provisional night-driving and passenger restrictions
What is different about Minnesota
Rules that are set by Minnesota rather than nationally, and where they depart from what most states do. Compared against DMV Prep's verified rules for all 51 jurisdictions — unverified figures are left out of both sides of every comparison.
- Permit validity: 24 months here. The most common permit validity is 12 months (9 of 19 states we have verified).
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Minnesota?
You can get a learner's permit in Minnesota at 15. Instruction permit applicant must be at least 15 and have completed classroom instruction if under 18.
How much does a Minnesota permit cost?
The Minnesota permit fee is $29.5. Web search: ~$14.25 instruction permit fee (one source cites $29.50).
How long do you have to hold your permit in Minnesota?
You must hold your Minnesota permit for at least 6 months before the driving test.
How many practice driving hours does Minnesota require?
Minnesota requires 50 hours of supervised practice driving for applicants under 18, including 15 at night. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
Where can I practice for the Minnesota permit test?
Right here — take a free Minnesota practice test, review every answer, and build readiness in your browser. The free DMV Prep app adds offline study and native reminders.
