Driver Education

Minnesota's driver education is overseen by the state's Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division and Office of Traffic Safety, and consists of the following classes and training:

• Approved Accident Prevention Classes

• Commercial Driver Training Schools

• Driver Improvement and DWI Clinics

• Home School Driver's Education

• Moped Instructors and Signers

Accident Prevention Classes

Minnesota allows Approved Accident Prevention Classes from a number of providers for the state's drivers. A listing of approved providers of these classes is available online.

Some of the schools or other organizations are approved only for a four-hour refresher course. All of the approved Accident Prevention Class providers offer insurance discounts for drivers 55 and older.

Commercial Driver Training Schools

For commercial drivers, Minnesota offers a listing of Commercial Driver Training Schools, where these drivers can find the required training and other support to obtain a commercial license and endorsements in Minnesota.

All of the commercial driver schools and training organizations are authorized signers for required commercial driver license (CDL) application documents. Some of them are also approved for motorcycle certifications, and some for truck training, as noted on the list of approved providers.

Driver Improvement and DWI Clinics

Minnesota also provides a list of approved Driver Improvement and DWI Clinics, offered to drivers who have been ordered to attend the classes after an accident, citation, or conviction.

Home School Driver's Education

Since 1999, Minnesota has allowed the classroom part of teen driver education to be conducted by parents who are home schooling their children. To qualify, the following conditions and requirements must be met:

• The student driver is at least 15 years old

• The superintendent of schools in your district has certified by letter that your student is a full-time, home schooled student

• The classroom materials for the student driver are approved by the Minnesota DVS Office of Driver Education

• After 30 hours of classroom instruction, a letter stating completion, reference to text used, and child's full legal name and date of birth should be sent to the Office of Driver Education:

• Office of Driver Education

• 445 Minnesota St., Suite 176

• St. Paul, MN 55101

Home schooled teen student drivers will then receive proof of classroom completion, which they should present for behind-the-wheel instruction from an approved provider. This becomes a Certificate of Enrollment, also known as a "blue card," which DVS requires when the student takes the written knowledge test.

With the Instruction Permit, the student should get six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction from an approved provider, and 30 hours of supervised driving, 10 of which must be at night, with a licensed driver who is 21 or older.

Moped Instructors and Signers

Lastly, Minnesota provides a list of Minnesota Moped Instructors and Signers, which provide training and certification for moped drivers in the state.