Minnesota Teen Driving Rules
In May 2004, a law went into effect referred to as "Vanessa's Law" in memory of Vanessa Weiss, who was killed in May 2003 just days before her 16th birthday. She was a passenger in a vehicle driven by an unlicensed 15-year-old. Provisions of this law apply to drivers under age 18.
An unlicensed teen who received a crash-related moving violation or an alcohol/controlled substance-related violation (a violation of one or more statutes, including DWI, Implied Consent, Open Bottle, or Underage Drinking and Driving/Not a Drop Law) cannot be given a license, including an instruction permit or provisional license, until age 18. When this person turns 18, s/he must pass the driver's license knowledge test, obtain an instruction permit and hold it for at least six months, and then pass the road test.
A provisional license holder whose driving privilege was revoked due to a crash-related moving violation or an alcohol/controlled substance-related violation cannot regain a license until age 18. At that time, the person must complete the following steps to obtain a full driver's license:
Fulfill all reinstatement requirements, including the payment of fees which can be up to $680 depending on circumstances;
Complete the classroom portion of a formal driver education course;
Pass the driver's license knowledge test;
Obtain an instruction permit and hold it for three months;
Complete a driver's behind-the-wheel class.
Graduated licensing
Below are highlights of the Minnesota graduated licensing law.
Stage 1- Instruction Permit
Must be at least 15;
Must complete 30 hours of classroom education and be enrolled in behind-the-wheel instruction;
Must pass the knowledge test, have parent or legal guardian approval; and
While unlicensed, must not have had a crash-related moving violation or an alcohol/controlled substance-related violation (a violation of one or more statutes, including DWI, Implied Consent, Open Bottle, or Underage Drinking and Driving/Not a Drop Law).
Permit holder may drive under the supervision of a parent, guardian or other licensed driver 21 or older occupying the seat beside them.
All passengers under 18 must wear their seat belts/child safety restraints.
May not operate a vehicle while using a cellular or wireless telephone, whether handheld or handsfree, while vehicle is in operation.
Stage 2 – Provisional License
Must be at least 16 and have completed six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction;
Must have held a permit for six months, with no convictions for moving violations or alcohol/controlled substance-related violations (a violation of one or more statutes, including DWI, Implied Consent, Open Bottle, or Underage Drinking and Driving/Not a Drop Law)
Must have at least 30 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours of night driving, verified by parent/guardian; and
Must pass the road test.
All passengers under 18 must wear their seat belt/child safety restraint.
Stage 3 – Full License
Must be at least 18 or
Must have held a provisional license for one year with no convictions for crash-related moving violations, no alcohol/controlled substance-related violations (a violation of one or more statutes, including DWI, Implied Consent, Open Bottle, or Underage Drinking and Driving/Not a Drop Law) and no more than one non-crash-related moving violation; and
Parent/guardian must attest to at least 10 additional hours of supervised driving.
Not a Drop.
In Minnesota, it is illegal for a person under age 21 to consume alcohol. If an underage person drinks and drives, they face penalties under Minnesota's "Not a Drop" law in addition to DWI laws. Under "Not a Drop," if an officer observes an underage person operating or in physical control of a motor vehicle and determines they have been drinking, they can lose their license for 30 to 180 days. The length of suspension will depend on the driver's prior record.
Semi turns into path of oncoming motorcycle. Leg fracture.
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Single vehicle roll-over on highway. Passenger suffered quadriplegia.
Drunk driver runs car off road on I-35. Spinal cord injury.