Driver’s License
Every Minnesota resident who operates any motor vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, ATV) must have a driver’s license. The operation of an automobile without a valid operator’s license is illegal and punishable by fine (and sometimes by jail sentence). It is also illegal to permit another person who has no valid license to drive an automobile. Every driver must become familiar with the Minnesota Driver’s License Manual. This covers traffic and safety rules, laws, rules of the road, allowable speed limits, and road signs and symbols.
If you hold another U.S. state license or International Driver License (IDL) or Driving Permits (IDP), which is only a translation of your valid country license, we strongly recommend you get MN driver’s license. You are required to change to a MN driver’s license within 60 days of establishing (temporary) residency in MN.
IMPORTANT
From Aug. 1, 2019, Minnesota law requires hands free usage of mobile devices. Please be aware of this if you are driving in MN. (For further information, please check at Dept of Public Safety.) During the pandemic it can take several months or more for a new (or replacement) Driver’s License or stated ID to be issued.
No Show Fee:
As of Nov, 1, 2021, Minnesotans who fail to show up for their driver’s license road test will face a $20 fee. The law is in response to a growing number of “no shows,” taking away road tests from other people who are waiting for an appointment. Customers can cancel their appointment more than 24 hours before it begins to avoid the fee. The fee is collected when the customer applies for their driver’s license.
The no-show fee applies to any missed skills test appointment scheduled on or after Nov. 1. The system alerts customers about the possibility of a no-show fee when they make an appointment. Customers will also be reminded about the fee in a notice sent three business days before their scheduled appointment.
More details are available at this website.
USEFUL LINKS FOR WRITTEN TEST AND DRIVING TESTS:
- ISP Driver License, IDs and Van Certification Guide-2022 updated
- ISP Guide to Passing the Written Test
- Minnesota Driver’s License Manual
- Written Test Practice Exams | Alternative | Alternative 2
- Checklist for Road Test
- Driver and Vehicle Services FAQ
Driver License Application Process
- Schedule written test
- Pass written test to obtain instruction permit
- Practice driving (always with a licensed driver who is over 21)
- Schedule road test
- Pass road test to obtain your license
Fees (cash or check only)
Class D regular or under 21 – $46 ($41 for renewal)
Class D instruction permit (valid for 2 years) – $29.50 ($24.5 for renewal)
Locations
You can find a list of locations where you can pass the written and road tests at the following link: Driver and Vehicle Services Locations. Make sure to check the box for the test you are applying for– Knowledge (Written) Test or Road Test, Class D–because different locations offer different types of tests.
Knowledge/Written Test
Once you pass the written test, you are given an instruction permit. An instruction permit is valid for two years from the date of application and they are renewable. You must carry your permit whenever you practice driving.
An applicant, who is age 18 or younger and not previously licensed, must hold an instruction permit for six months before taking a skills (road) test. Applicants who are 19 or older must hold an instruction permit for three months before taking a skills (road) test.
A person who fails the driving test four times must complete a minimum of six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a licensed instructor before taking the skills test again (a valid instruction permit is required).
Please bring the following with you to your written test:
- Passport
- I-20 or DS-2019
- I-94
- Social Security Card or official Macalester transcript
Click here for a more detailed list of proper identification documents for the state of Minnesota.
Road Test
Before you take the road test, make sure you practice driving with someone who has a valid driver’s license or go to a driving school. Take the road test only when you and your instructor feel comfortable with your driving abilities.
For the road test you must bring:
- The vehicle in which you’re going to test
- Proof of registration and insurance for your vehicle
- Your learner’s permit or other equivalent authorization
To schedule an appointment for the driving test, click “Schedule a Skills Test” on the DVS Services website.
Application Process Breakdown (In Progress)
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Schedule an appointment
Class D knowledge tests are offered by appointment only at DVS exam stations. Schedule an appointment online at drive.mn.gov by selecting Appointments ->Schedule an Appointment ->Driver Services->Class D Knowledge Exam.
The portal will ask if you have a Driver’s License or permit before, clicking “No” will still allow you to continue the scheduling process.
Recommended location:
Downtown St Paul Exam Station – Route by bus
Times:
Weekdays 8AM-4PM (check on Google Maps for updates)
We recommend getting an appointment in the mornings, or early afternoon to ensure you would be able to process your Driver’s Permit after passing your test.
Study for the test
We recommend allocating at least 1 week to go over the Minnesota Driver’s License Manual before your test. Additionally, these are practice tests you can use to test your understanding and see similar questions to the actual test: Written Test Practice Exams | Alternative | Alternative 2
Make sure you read the next step as you prepare to go to your appointment in order to have all your documents ready in case you pass the test.
Taking the test is free for the first two times you take the test. After, you would have to pay a fee of $10 dollars to re-test.
Documents to Bring to the test:
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- Passport
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- I-20 or DS-2019
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- Social Security Card or official Macalester transcript
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You passed your test! (Or you are about to!)
You can either process your Drive’s Permit in the same location or go to another location to process your Driver’s Permit. You do not need to make an appointment, but that might mean that the time it takes you to get your the process done might be longer.
Recommended Location:
Saint Paul License Bureau – Route by bus
Documents to bring
Basic:
Proof of passing the knowledge test
Primary document:
Unexpired Passport
Secondary Documents:
Bring at least 4 of original and printed versions these options to the application site.
Social Security/ SSN card
Should be signed.
Most recent I-20 form
Bring an original signed version of it. Meaning,
Official Macalester College Transcript
Must show your legal name.You need to process this through 1600Grand -> Order Transcript. There will be a fee of $5 plus credit card fees.
Recent bank statement (at least within the less 6 months)
Must show your legal name. You can access this from most online banking options of your account.
Health Insurance Card (Printed both sides or physical card)
Must show your legal name. You can access this from your United Healthcare account.
Most recent Tax Return
Must show your legal name. You should have a record on your files from the most recent Tax filling season.
Full list of documents you could bring.
Fees:
Preferred in cash: $29.5
If you have other payments to make, such as failing the knowledge test more than 2 times and so on, you will be charged for that as you are finalizing the process.
ISP success tips:
- Collect all your documents and save them on a folder. Carry a bag that can be fully closed to avoid documents falling out of it.
- Plan to arrive at low-traffic times (Weekdays between 10am-3pm)
- Get a ticket as soon as you arrive, and pay attention to the numbers called. Tickets look like this:
- Bring friends along (Public transport can be safer and waiting times will pass faster as you are talking)
- Know your height in feet/inches and weight in pounds!
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We recommend you to have as much practice driving as possible before going to test, either with a friend who is over 21 and has a car, or with a driving school.
Driving schools:
Remember:
There are different required practice time by ages:
i. If you are 18 years of age or under, you must apply for and hold a Minnesota instruction
permit for at least six months before taking a road test.
ii. If you are 19 years of age or older, you must apply for and have a permit for at least three
months before taking a road test. This includes applicants who can’t show proof of
previously having a license or instruction permit.
iii. The permit holder may, with the permit in possession, operate a motor vehicle, but must be
accompanied by and be under the supervision of a certified driver education instructor, the
permit holder’s parent or guardian, or another licensed driver age 21 or older. The
supervisor must occupy the seat beside the permit holder. -
What to bring to your road test? Checklist for Road Test
No Show Fee:
As of Nov, 1, 2021, Minnesotans who fail to show up for their driver’s license road test will face a $20 fee. The law is in response to a growing number of “no shows,” taking away road tests from other people who are waiting for an appointment. Customers can cancel their appointment more than 24 hours before it begins to avoid the fee. The fee is collected when the customer applies for their driver’s license.
The no-show fee applies to any missed skills test appointment scheduled on or after Nov. 1. The system alerts customers about the possibility of a no-show fee when they make an appointment. Customers will also be reminded about the fee in a notice sent three business days before their scheduled appointment.
More details are available at this website.
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