Get a Drivers License in Minnesota

First-time drivers of any age must pass a road test to land a Minnesota drivers license. To get a provisional license, you must be at least 16 years of age and have held a valid instruction permit for either:

• six months―Teens 18 and younger

• Three months―Applicants 19 and older

Getting a moving violation or alcohol/controlled substance violation will postpone the time it take to get a provisional license.

A) Make a Road Test Appointment at a MN DPS Office

You must schedule an appointment to take a road test either online or by calling (651) 284-1234.

B) Gather Required Documents and Minnesota License Fees

Be prepared to provide the following on test day:

• Valid instruction permit

• Proper ID (see the state’s full list of identification requirements)

• Certificate of completion (“White Card”); this only applies to teens younger than 18 required to take drivers education

• Certified driving record form the state verifying you qualify for a provisional license

• Proper fees (check, money order or cash; no credit or debit cards)

• Current proof of insurance for your road test vehicle* (original ID card or policy; Internet copies will not suffice)

*You must provide a road test vehicle that is in safe working condition. Make sure it has current vehicle registration (license plates and stickers) and displays a 21-day permit.

Teens younger than 18 must also have their parent, court appointed guardian, county appointed foster parent or the director of your transitional living program where you reside must sign and approve your application and certify you completed 30 hours of driving practice including 10 nighttime hours.

B) Take the Road Test

With your required documents and fees in hand, head to your appointment early.

Road Test Retakes

If you don’t pass the road test, you have the option to retest. If you fail a second consecutive time, the state will charge you an additional fee to try and pass it a third time.

Get Your Minnesota Driver's License

Provisional License

Once you meet all GDL requirements and pass the road test, you’ll receive a provisional license. It comes with the following limitations:

For the first six months of licensure, you can only transport one passenger under age 20, unless a parent or guardian accompanies you. This rule doesn't apply if this young passenger is a member of your immediate family. During this period, you also may not drive from midnight �?? 5 a.m. unless you are:

• Accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least age 25

• Driving between home and work

• Driving between home and a school event if your school doesn’t offer transportation

• Driving for employment purposes

During the second six-month period, you may not have more than three passengers under age 20 riding with you, unless you are accompanied by a parent or guardian (or unless they are members of your immediate family).

After 12 consecutive months, you can upgrade to a Class D license if you have no violations on your record.

Class D Drivers License

To get your full Class D license, you must be at last 18 years of age or have held a provisional license for at least 12 consecutive months. During this period, provisional license holders must have no convictions for alcohol violations, controlled-substance violations or crash-related moving violations, and have had no more than one conviction for a moving violation that is not crash related.

Teens younger than 18 must also certify that you’ve practiced driving with a supervising licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age years old for a minimum of ten hours.

Your license will be marked “under-21,” and expire on your 21st birthday.

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