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Teen Drivers

The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Vanessa's Law
Instruction Permit
Provisional License
Full License
Not a Drop, teen drinking and driving

Farm Work License
Drivers Education

 

Vanessa's Law

Vanessa's Law 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A provisional license holder whose driving privilege was revoked due to a crash-related moving violation or an alcohol/controlled substance-related violation cannot regain a license until age 18.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.

Licensing requirements

Minnesota uses a graduated licensing procedure. Parents/guardians are encouraged to place further restrictions to what is required by 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
  • 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 hands free, 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.
  • May not operate a vehicle while using a cellular or wireless telephone, whether handheld or hands free,
    while vehicle is in operation.
  • A newly licensed driver ages 16 and 17 will have some restrictions to their driving for the first year of driving on their provisional license. During the first six months the new licensee cannot operate a vehicle carrying more than one passenger under age 20 who is not a member of their immediate family. That increases to three passengers for the second 6 months.
  • Also during the first six months of provisional licensure, a person under age 18 is prohibited from driving between midnight and 5 a.m., except when the driver is driving due to a job; or the driver is accompanied by a licensed driver or state identification card holder who is at least age 25.

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.

Underage drinking isn't just about the kids Adults who provide alcohol to underage drinkers will be held responsible and suffer serious criminal and legal consequences. If an adult provides alcohol to an underage person and that person is killed or injured or kills or injures someone else, the adult can be charged with a felony and face time in prison.

If you would like to find information on how alcohol affects the teen brain, the realities of underage drinking, facts to common myth visit Why21.org.There is also a wealth of information, resources and tips for parents, educators and communities on preventing underage drinking.

For additional information and resources on how to talk to your teen visit MADD.

Farm Work Licenses
A qualified applicant (15, 16, or 17 years of age) may test for a farm work license at any time after being issued an instruction permit and completing behind-the-wheel training. The applicant must present a farm work affidavit and a property tax statement or rental agreement, along with a course completion card and an instruction permit at the time of the road test.

The farm work license is a provisional under 21 license with a farm work restriction. The restriction on the license will read: Valid for farm work, daylight only, 20 mile radius of farm, no driving in cities of the first class; or must be accompanied by licensed driver 21 or older.

The farm work license must be held for six months from the date the instruction permit was received, or until age 16, whichever is longer, before the farm work restriction may be removed. At that time, the applicant may apply for a duplicate provisional under 21 license provided that s/he has met the supervised driving requirements (30 hours/10 at night) and been conviction free for the preceding six months, as required by the graduated driver's license law.

A provisional under 21 license will be issued, and the applicant then will follow the established path of the Graduated Drivers system.

If the applicant has reached the age of 18, s/he may apply for an under 21 license without further requirements.

Drivers Education

Of course if you have a child who is seeking a drivers license you probably have heard the details of what is required over and over. Below are some additional resources.

Driving Manual

Driver license fees

Driving schools

Home School info and text resources

Knowledge test and Road test service locations

Schedule your road test

CLASS D (Car, Van, Pickup)
A licensed driver must accompany you unless you are in possession of a valid driver’s license from another country.
You MUST bring:

  • Your valid instruction permit
  • Your own vehicle. (on which the following must be working properly; doors, Seatbelts, Headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals)
  • Vehicle registration must be current (license plates and registration stickers) or the vehicle must display a 21-day permit
  • Valid proof of insurance (such as the original insurance identification card or policy) for the vehicle you are taking the test in. Photocopies or
  • copies off the Internet are not acceptable.
  • If you are under 18 years of age, you must Present a certificate of course completion (white card) to prove you have completed an approved driver education course
  • Have held an instruction permit for at least six months with no convictions for moving violations or alcohol/controlled substance violations
  • If you are under 18 and all or part of your six months of driving experience was in a state other than Minnesota, you must provide a certified driving record from that state.
  • There is a $20 test fee for a third or subsequent test (after failing first two)
    Payment by cash or check only; credit or debit cards are not accepted

 

 

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