State Regulations Resource

Requirements & Restrictions for Teen Drivers

Minnesota’s Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) System has three stages in the process:

STAGE 1: Instruction Permit
STAGE 2: Provisional License
STAGE 3: Full License

INSTRUCTION PERMIT

Must be at least 15 years old

Must have completed 30 hours of classroom training and be enrolled in behind –the-wheel training with an approved driver education program

Must pass the state knowledge and vision test

Complete application (Parent or guardian must be present to sign application)

Pay fee

RESTRICTIONS:

Permit holder must drive under the supervision of a parent, guardian or other licensed driver 21 or older occupying the front passenger seat

Drivers and all passengers must wear seat belts or be in the correct child safety restraint

May not operate a vehicle while using a cell phone, whether hand –held or hands free except to call 911 in an emergency.

It is illegal for ALL DRIVERS to compose, read, or send text messages/emails, or access the internet on a wireless device.

PROVISIONAL LICENSE

Must be at least 16 years of age

Completed 6 hours of behind-the wheel training

Must have held a permit for six months with no convictions for moving violations, or for impaired driving violations

Parent/guardian must certify completion of at least 50 hours of supervised driving/15 of which are nighttime hours(Complete Supervised Driving Log)

Pass Road Test

Complete Application

Pay Fee

Restrictions:

May not operate a vehicle while using a cell phone, whether hand –held or hands free except to call 911 in an emergency.

It is illegal for ALL DRIVERS to compose, read, or send text messages/emails, or access the internet on a wireless device

Night Driving- For the first six months of licensure driving is prohibited from midnight to 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older, driving for employment; driving between home and place of employment; or driving to/from home and a school event for which the school has not provided transportation.

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. Passengers under age 20 who are members of the driver’s immediate family are permitted.

Full License:

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 impaired driving or crash-related moving violations, and not have more than one conviction for a non-crash related moving violation.

Restrictions:

If applicant is under 18 a parent or guardian must certify completion of at least 10 additional hours of supervised driving