Minnesota instruction permit and Class D written test
Minnesota's first driving credential is a Class D instruction permit. Applicants pass a vision screening and written test, meet identification requirements and pay the permit fee; teens also complete required driver education before applying.
Independent guide. Road to Permit is not affiliated with or endorsed by a DMV, DPS or other government agency. Use the official state links below when a rule, fee or procedure matters.
- 15minimum permit age
- 80%written-test passing score
- 2 yearsinstruction-permit validity
Minnesota Class D written-test format
Minnesota's Class D written test uses multiple-choice and true/false questions about traffic laws and road signs. The current Driver's Manual says an appointment is required, only one written test may be taken per day and a score of 80% is needed to pass. After two consecutive failed tests, the third and later written tests carry a fee.
| passing score | 80% |
|---|---|
| written-test limit | 1 per day |
| test fee after two failures | 3rd+ fail |
Question types and subjects
Expect multiple-choice and true/false questions on Minnesota traffic laws, signs and safe-driving rules.
One written test per day
The current DVS manual limits applicants to one written-test attempt in a day.
The steps to a Minnesota driver license
Minnesota's Class D instruction permit is the legal practice credential before the first license. Teens and adults share the vision, written-test and document steps, while driver-education and waiting-period rules depend on age.
- Step 1. Study the current Minnesota Driver's Manual and complete the online pre-application within the state's current time window before your appointment.
- Step 2. Schedule the Class D written test, bring the required identification and Social Security information when applicable, and pass the vision and written requirements.
- Step 3. Receive the instruction permit and practice with the required supervising driver. Meet the age-specific holding period and training requirements before scheduling the road test.
Before you go: requirements and documents
Minnesota instruction-permit requirements
Minnesota Class D permit requirements: age 15, vision and written tests, identification, teen driver education and age-based road-test waiting periods.
Open the requirements guide →Documents for a Minnesota instruction permit
Documents and preparation for a Minnesota Class D instruction permit, including identification, Social Security information when eligible and teen enrollment certificates.
Open the document checklist →Bring proper identification
Use the current DVS identification requirements for the credential you are applying for. Do not rely on an old generic checklist.
Social Security information
The manual says applicants eligible for a Social Security number must provide it; applicants never issued one use the state's applicable declaration process.
Fees
Minnesota sets driver-service fees by law and updates them over time. Use the official fee schedule for the current Class D instruction-permit amount and remember that repeated tests or missed appointments can add charges.
| check current DVS schedule | Permit fee |
|---|---|
| fee after two failures | 3rd+ written test |
| separate exam fee | No-show |
See the full Minnesota fee guide →
Minnesota teen instruction-permit rules
Minnesota's teen permit route starts at age 15 after the required classroom-driver-education milestone and behind-the-wheel enrollment. Practice must happen with the supervising driver required by state rules.
Complete the driver-education milestone
The manual describes 30 classroom hours plus behind-the-wheel enrollment, or the approved concurrent-course path after the first 15 classroom hours.
Practice with an eligible adult
Under 18, the permit holder must drive with an eligible licensed supervising adult in the front passenger seat.
Wait before the road test
The current manual requires the teen permit to be held for at least six months before the road test.
Minnesota first driver license for adults
Adults who are new drivers in Minnesota still begin with the Class D written test and instruction permit, but classroom and behind-the-wheel driver education are not required at age 18 or older.
Pass vision and the written test
Schedule the Class D written test, bring the required documents and obtain the instruction permit.
Practice with the required supervising driver
For drivers 18 and older, Minnesota requires a licensed adult supervising driver seated beside the permit holder.
Waiting period depends on age
The current manual describes a three-month practice period for applicants age 19 or older before the road test; younger first-time drivers have longer requirements.
Appointments and office visits
Minnesota's current Driver's Manual says appointments are required for both the Class D written test and road test. Complete the pre-application before the appointment and use Drive Minnesota for current availability.
Schedule the Class D written test
The current manual specifically tells applicants to make a Class D written-test appointment before the visit.
Schedule the road test after eligibility
Bring a valid instruction permit, a licensed accompanying driver and proof of insurance for the test vehicle.
Avoid late-cancellation and no-show fees
Minnesota increased exam late-cancellation and no-show fees in 2025, so cancel or reschedule early if you cannot attend.
Minnesota DVS exam-station locations
Minnesota uses DVS exam stations for Class D testing. Use the state's current appointment system to see available locations, dates and services instead of relying on an old office list.
Find the right office
Find Minnesota DVS exam stations and current Class D written- and road-test appointment availability using the state's official Drive Minnesota tools.
Open office locations →Check the service first
Office types, appointment rules and testing availability can differ by location. Confirm the exact service before you travel.
Check appointment rules →After the permit: prepare for the road test
Minnesota requires a road-test appointment and a valid instruction permit. The applicant supplies the vehicle, must arrive with a licensed driver and must provide current proof of insurance.
Bring the required people and documents
The current manual tells applicants to bring the valid instruction permit, a licensed accompanying driver and current proof of insurance.
Vehicle must be safe
Doors, seat belts, lights, signals and registration are among the items on Minnesota's road-test checklist.
Meet the permit waiting period first
Your minimum practice period depends on age, so confirm eligibility before reserving a road-test slot.
Open the full road-test guide →
Practice for the Minnesota knowledge test
Minnesota missions are not live in Road to Permit yet. For now, use the current Minnesota Driver's Manual and the free Minnesota guides on this site.
Minnesota road signs for the permit test
Road signs are part of Minnesota's Class D written test. Study sign shape, color and meaning together with the law or driving action the sign controls.
Study road signs →Minnesota Driver's Manual for permit-test study
Minnesota's Class D Driver's Manual is the core study source for the written test and also explains the permit, provisional-license and road-test process.
Open the handbook study guide →What to study
Use the official handbook as the source of truth, then practice the same subjects in short sessions. These are the major study areas covered across the official guide and Road to Permit resources.
- Use the current state manual
- Prepare across all written-test topics
- Schedule the written test when ready
- Road signs are part of the test
- Study more than sign names
- Review signs with the related driving rule
- Question types and subjects
- One written test per day
- Fees after repeated failures
Minnesota permit test: questions and answers
What is the Minnesota knowledge-test format?
Minnesota's Class D written test covers traffic laws and road signs with multiple-choice and true/false questions. The current manual requires 80% to pass.
What do I need before I apply in Minnesota?
Minnesota's Class D instruction permit is the legal practice credential before the first license. Teens and adults share the vision, written-test and document steps, while driver-education and waiting-period rules depend on age.
Which documents should I prepare?
Minnesota DVS requires proper identification before the written test and permit transaction. The current manual also tells eligible applicants to know their Social Security number and minors to bring their driver-education enrollment certificate.
How much does the permit or first license cost?
Minnesota sets driver-service fees by law and updates them over time. Use the official fee schedule for the current Class D instruction-permit amount and remember that repeated tests or missed appointments can add charges.
Where do I make an appointment?
Minnesota's current Driver's Manual says appointments are required for both the Class D written test and road test. Complete the pre-application before the appointment and use Drive Minnesota for current availability.
Complete Minnesota driver guide
Open the exact part of the licensing process you need. Every page below is backed by official state sources.
Minnesota Driver's Manual for permit-test study
Study from the official Minnesota Class D Driver's Manual for road signs, traffic laws, permit rules and the written test.
Open guide →Minnesota instruction-permit requirements
Minnesota Class D permit requirements: age 15, vision and written tests, identification, teen driver education and age-based road-test waiting periods.
Open guide →Documents for a Minnesota instruction permit
Documents and preparation for a Minnesota Class D instruction permit, including identification, Social Security information when eligible and teen enrollment certificates.
Open guide →Minnesota DVS appointments for permit and road tests
Minnesota Class D appointment guide: written-test and road-test appointments, pre-application timing and current cancellation/no-show rules.
Open guide →Minnesota road signs for the permit test
Study Minnesota road signs, signals and markings for the Class D written test using the current official Driver's Manual.
Open guide →Minnesota Class D written-test format
Minnesota written-test format: multiple-choice and true/false questions, 80% required, one test per day and fees after two consecutive failures.
Open guide →Minnesota teen instruction-permit rules
Minnesota teen permit rules: age 15, required driver education, licensed adult supervision and the six-month permit period before the road test.
Open guide →Minnesota first driver license for adults
Minnesota adult first-driver route: Class D written test, instruction permit, supervised practice and age-based waiting period before the road test.
Open guide →Minnesota Class D road test
Minnesota road-test guide: required appointment, valid instruction permit, licensed accompanying driver, insurance and safe vehicle requirements.
Open guide →Minnesota permit and testing fees
Minnesota driver-services fee guide for the Class D instruction permit and repeated test, cancellation and no-show charges, with links to the official fee schedule.
Open guide →Minnesota DVS exam-station locations
Find Minnesota DVS exam stations and current Class D written- and road-test appointment availability using the state's official Drive Minnesota tools.
Open guide →Official sources
Facts on this hub were checked against the linked state sources on September 30, 2026. Procedures and fees can change, so recheck the official page before you apply.