Minnesota Road Test Guide
What to bring, what your test vehicle needs, what the examiner is actually watching for, and what happens if you don't pass — summarized from DVS's own pages for Minnesota and linked to the source.
Bring with you
- RX form (pink for a first attempt, yellow for a second attempt)
- Proof of vehicle insurance
- If under 18: signed driver-education course completion card and a driving log signed by a parent or guardian
Test vehicle requirements
- Proof that the vehicle being driven is insured
- Working seat adjustment, seat belt, emergency brake, headlights, hazard lights, turn signals, horn, windshield wipers, windshield defroster/fan controls, mirrors, and fuel gauge — examiner checks these before the drive begins
What the examiner checks
- Parking on a hill
- Parallel parking
- Driving on one-way roads
- Reading and responding to road signs
The exact skills tested vary by location and examiner. Only the applicant and examiner may be in the vehicle during the test. After passing, the applicant receives a paper temporary license and DVS mails the standard license. Source does not state a retest wait period or retest fee for the road test specifically.
Road-test facts verified 2026-08-01 · Source: Minnesota Department of Public Safety — Get Ready for Your Driver's Road Test ↗
Rules and appointment procedures change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
What ends the Minnesota road test immediately
Most mistakes cost you points you can afford to lose. These are different — a critical error ends the drive on the spot, however well the rest of it went:
- A collision, or contact with a curb, cone, or object
- The examiner had to grab the wheel, brake, or speak to prevent danger
- A dangerous or illegal maneuver
- A moving violation — speeding, running a light or stop sign
- Refusing to attempt a maneuver the examiner asked for
- Stalling somewhere that put the car in danger
Road tests share this list because each item is a safety failure rather than a scoring one. DVS publishes the rules that apply in Minnesota — check the official source above before test day.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Minnesota road test examiner check?
Based on DVS's own published list, Minnesota examiners check Parking on a hill; Parallel parking; Driving on one-way roads; Reading and responding to road signs.
What is an automatic fail on the Minnesota road test?
A critical error ends the drive immediately no matter how well the rest went: a collision, or contact with a curb, cone, or object; the examiner had to grab the wheel, brake, or speak to prevent danger; a dangerous or illegal maneuver; a moving violation — speeding, running a light or stop sign; refusing to attempt a maneuver the examiner asked for; stalling somewhere that put the car in danger. Minor errors only cost points — these end the test. Confirm DVS's current rules before you go.
Does the Minnesota road test include parallel parking?
Yes — parallel parking appears in DVS's own published list of what the Minnesota road test covers. Practice it until you can do it without hitting the curb or needing more than the allowed corrections.
Can DMV Prep help me practice for the Minnesota road test?
Yes — the free DMV Prep app has an interactive Minnesota road-test checklist, maneuver videos, a supervised-practice log, and a mock score sheet that scores you the way Minnesota does.
