How to Get Your Minnesota Permit: A Step-by-Step Guide for Teens
Getting your permit is an exciting step toward becoming a licensed driver, but many Minnesota teens and parents are unsure exactly where to start.
If you're preparing to begin driving, this guide will walk you through the Minnesota permit process from classroom instruction all the way to scheduling behind-the-wheel lessons.
Step 1: Complete 30 Hours of Classroom Driver Education
Before teens can take the Minnesota permit test, they must first complete the required 30 hours of classroom driver education instruction.
Many students complete classroom instruction through their high school or another approved provider.
After completing the required 30 classroom hours, students receive a Letter of Completion that proves they completed the classroom portion of driver education.
This Letter of Completion is an important step in the permit process, but students are still not eligible for the permit test until they enroll in an approved behind-the-wheel program and are registered with Minnesota DVS.
Step 2: Enroll in a Behind-the-Wheel Program
After receiving their Letter of Completion, students must enroll in an approved behind-the-wheel program.
This step is important because behind-the-wheel programs register students with Minnesota DVS, making students eligible to take the permit test.
Important: Students cannot simply bring their Letter of Completion to DVS and take the permit test.
If a student has not been registered through an approved behind-the-wheel program, DVS will turn them away because they are not yet eligible for testing.
At ReadySetDrive!, families upload their Letter of Completion, and we process the digital Certificate of Enrollment (sometimes called the Blue Card) so students can move forward in the process.
This process helps ensure students are properly registered before scheduling their permit test.
Step 3: Prepare for the Minnesota Permit Test
Once students are enrolled in a behind-the-wheel program and registered with DVS, they become eligible to take the Minnesota permit test.
The Minnesota knowledge test covers:
• Traffic laws
• Road signs
• Safe driving practices
• Minnesota driving rules
Helpful preparation strategies include:
• Reading the Minnesota Driver’s Manual
• Taking practice tests
• Studying road signs
• Reviewing right-of-way rules
Step 4: Take the Permit Test
After passing the permit test, students receive a temporary permit that allows them to begin supervised driving.
Step 5: Begin Supervised Driving Practice
Many families ask:
"How much practice should teens have before behind-the-wheel lessons?"
While every student is different, we generally recommend students complete approximately 10 hours of supervised driving practice before starting behind-the-wheel lessons.
Some students may be ready with fewer hours, while others may benefit from additional practice before getting started.
The goal is not simply reaching a number — it's helping students become comfortable with basic vehicle controls, turning, stopping, parking, and developing confidence behind the wheel.
For many students, 10 hours provides a good target before beginning formal behind-the-wheel instruction.
Step 6: Schedule Behind-the-Wheel Lessons
Behind-the-wheel instruction helps students build confidence through:
• One-on-one instruction
• Real driving situations
• Skill development
• Parent communication and progress tracking
When possible, we recommend scheduling behind-the-wheel lessons closer together rather than spacing them too far apart.
Keeping lessons relatively close together allows students to build upon previous skills, maintain confidence, and continue practicing without long gaps between sessions.
Every family’s schedule is different, but consistent practice often helps students make better progress.
ReadySetDrive! provides personalized behind-the-wheel instruction designed to help teens become safe, confident drivers.
Want to learn more about ReadySetDrive! and our teacher-owned approach to behind-the-wheel instruction? Visit our About page to learn more.
Final Thoughts
Learning to drive can feel overwhelming at first, but breaking the process into smaller steps makes it much easier.
Whether you're preparing for your permit test or getting ready for behind-the-wheel instruction, having a plan helps students build confidence and stay on track.
Learn more about our behind-the-wheel program and teen driving resources at:
ReadySetDrive!
Teacher-Owned. Teacher-Led.
Smart. Safe. Ready!
