Driver’s License
Getting a driver’s license (Class D)
In Minnesota, driving privileges go through two main stages: the Instruction Permit and the Driver’s License. Everything is handled by the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS). There are three types of driver’s licenses:
- Standard
- REAL ID – allows you to fly within the United States or enter federal facilities
- Enhanced (for US citizens only)
1. The Instruction Permit
With the permit, you can drive only :
- With a licensed adult (21 or older) in the passenger seat.
- Using a private vehicle (rental cars or Evie-type of cars are not allowed)
Requirements:
- Be at least 15 years-old.
- Pass a knowledge (written) test about road rules and signs. The Driver’s Manual is the resource to help you study. Talk to Britt Nelson for more info.
- Pass a vision test.
- Show two proof of identity (for the Standard Permit) or one proof of identity and legal status, two proof of Minnesota residency, and your SSN (for the REAL ID permit).
- Pay the application fee ($29.50 as of Oct. 2025).
There’s no required number of practice hours (unless you are under 18), but you’ll need enough experience to pass the road test.
The permit is valid for two years (renewable).
2. The Driver’s License
18 year-olds who are not previously licensed must hold an instruction permit for 180 days before passing a road test. Applicants who are 19 or older must hold an instruction permit for 90 days before taking a road test. Once you are ready and confident driving, you can schedule a road test with the Minnesota DVS. Here is what you can expect during the road test.
What to bring to the road test:
- Your instruction permit.
- Your glasses or contact lenses if you have them.
- A valid, licensed driver.
- A vehicle to test in, and proof of insurance for that vehicle.
If you pass → you can apply for a Class D driver’s license.
If you fail → you can retake it. You will have to pay a $20 test fee if you don’t pass after the first two tries.
To apply for a driver’s license, you will need:
- Your passed road test.
- To pass a vision check.
- Show two proof of identity (for the Standard Permit) or one proof of identity and legal status, two proof of Minnesota residency, and your SSN (for the REAL ID permit).
- The correct fee ($46 as of Oct. 2025).
- Know your Social Security number, if you have one.
Pre-apply here for faster service.
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. It is also illegal to permit another person who has no valid license to drive an automobile.
IMPORTANT
From Aug. 1, 2019, Minnesota law requires hands free usage of mobile devices. (For further information, please check at Dept of Public Safety.)
No Show Fee:
There is a $40 no-show fee if you don’t show up to your appointment or you cancel/reschedule less than 24 hours before your appointment time. You will be charged $20 if you cancel/reschedule your appointment between 24 and 72 hours before your appointment time.
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.
To schedule an appointment for the driving test, click “Schedule a Skills Test” on the DVS Services website.
FAQ
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Schedule an appointment
Class D knowledge tests are offered by appointment at a DVS exam stations, or at the Macalester ISP Office (email [email protected]). If you choose to take the test at a DVS station, schedule an appointment online at drive.mn.gov.
Downtown St Paul Station – Route by bus
Times: Weekdays 8AM-4PM
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 tries. After, you would have to pay a fee of $10 dollars to re-test.
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Congrats, you passed the written test!
You can either process your Driver’s Permit in the same location or go to different location. 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 with you
Proof of passing the knowledge test
Two identification document (for the Standard permit – see list here)
OR
Proof of passing the knowledge test
One proof of identity and legal status, two proof of Minnesota residency, and your SSN (for the REAL ID permit – see list here)
Fees:
$29.5
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 taking the road test, either with a friend who is over 21 and has a car, or with a driving school.
If you have never driven a car before, we strongly recommend having classes at a driving school, before you practice with a friend for your own safety. If you already have driving experience, we still recommend you to practice according to the MN regulations as much as you can before testing.
Remember:
“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.”
You can’t practice on a rental car under any circumstances.
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This might be the hardest step! We recommend you get an appointment even while you are still practicing, as it might take long.
In order to schedule a Road test you will need to make an appointment on the DVS website (-> Appointments -> Schedule an Appointment -> Driver Services)
You can select a First time appointment. The following steps will require you to have your permit with you.
The blue code is your MN Driver’s License/Permit/ID Number.
ISP success tips:
- The best time to get an appointment is at midnight to get a slot in around a month.
- You can schedule at any location or date and then reschedule to your preferred seems to have an good chance.
- You may call a center to ask about available slots due to cancelations.
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Congrats, you passed the road test!
You can either process your Driver’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 it will take you longer to be done.
Recommended Location:
– Testing Site, immediately after you passed the test
– Saint Paul License Bureau – Route by bus
Documents the necessary documents: (see above)
Fees: $46
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.
- 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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If you have a German or Taiwanese license, you may choose to surrender it and exchange it for a US license (you still need to pass the written test and apply). In other cases, you will need to take the written and road tests to receive a US license.
Germany: If you are 18 or older and your driver’s license is valid or expired less than one year, you have two options:
- Keep your German license: You must pass the class D written test, road test, do a vision check and apply.
- Surrender your German license (Class B): You must pass the class D written test, do a vison check and apply.
Taiwan: If you are 21 or older and your driver’s license is valid or expired less than one year, you have two options:
- Keep your Taiwanese license: You must pass the class D written test, road test, do a vision check and apply.
- Surrender your Taiwanese license: You must pass the class D written test, do a vision check, and present an original “Verification Certificate of Driver’s License” (VCDL) issued by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China (MOTC) or an English certificate of validity issued by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago (TECO) within three months prior the date of applying.
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If you are under 21, you will need to pass the written test to get a Minnesota driver’s license.
You do not have to take a written or road test to transfer your driver’s license if you are over 21 years old, and you have a valid, unexpired, non-commercial license from another state.
You will need to pass the class D written test if your driver’s license is expired. You will need to pass the class D written and road tests if it is expired more than one year.
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No, you will need to take the MN written test to keep your permit. Depending on your circumstances, you may or may not have to wait to take a road test to upgrade to a class D driver’s license. Click for more info, if you are 18 and older or if you are under 18.