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Minnesota DPS · Driver and Vehicle Services

Minnesota permit test one try a day

Minnesota's knowledge test mixes multiple-choice and true/false questions on traffic laws and road signs, and you need 80%. DVS lets you take one written test per day, and starting with the third attempt it costs $10. Here's how to get it done the first time, and what comes after.

Last reviewed October 30, 2026 · Minnesota Driver's Manual, May 2025 edition

Bring your Blue Card (or Pink Card)

If you're under 18, the knowledge test starts with proof of driver ed enrollment: the Blue Card or Pink Card from your driving school. Before the permit you need 30 hours of classroom plus enrollment in behind-the-wheel training. If you're in a concurrent course, the first 15 classroom hours are enough.

Pre-apply online, then book at an exam station through MyDVS.

Cost of retesting

  • Written, attempts 1–2: included
  • Written, attempt 3+: $10 each
  • Road test after 2 failures in a row: $20 each
  • 4 road-test failures: 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction required

The test itself

The test can be on paper or computer. The computer version comes in English, several other languages, or ASL, and headphones are provided for audio. Questions are multiple choice and true/false. The manual doesn't give a question count, so we don't either. Vision screening comes first, and you pay the fees after you pass. There's a $16 application filing fee on new applications, according to the manual's new-laws page. We couldn't confirm the permit fee itself.

Minnesota's Driver's License for All law changed which ID documents are accepted, so check the DVS page for the current list before you go.

Minnesota DVS practice test

25 questions from the May 2025 manual, scored at 80%. Since you get one try a day, use this before you spend your attempt.

Free quiz · no sign-up

Minnesota DVS permit practice test

Questions
25
To pass
80%
About
17 min

Instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.

Preview the 25 free questions

  1. What is the minimum age for a Minnesota instruction permit?

    • 14
    • 15
    • 15½
    • 16

  2. What score do you need on the written knowledge test?

    • 70%
    • 75%
    • 80%
    • 85%

  3. How many written tests may you take per day?

    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • Unlimited

  4. After two failures in a row, what does a third written test cost?

    • $5
    • $10
    • $20
    • $25

  5. How many classroom hours are usually needed before the permit?

    • 15
    • 20
    • 30
    • 40

  6. How old must the supervisor of a permit holder under 18 be?

    • 18+
    • 20+
    • 21+
    • 25+

  7. What are the phone rules for permit holders under 18?

    • Hands-free is OK
    • No use at all, even hands-free
    • Calls only
    • GPS only

  8. How long must you hold the permit before the road test if you're under 19?

    • 3 months
    • 6 months
    • 9 months
    • 12 months

  9. How many supervised hours do you need without the parent class?

    • 40
    • 50
    • 60
    • 30

  10. How many night hours are required?

    • 10
    • 12
    • 15
    • 20

  11. How many hours are needed if a parent completes the approved parent class?

    • 30
    • 40
    • 45
    • 50

  12. When may you not drive during the first six months of a provisional license?

    • 10 p.m.–5 a.m.
    • 11 p.m.–5 a.m.
    • Midnight–5 a.m.
    • 1–5 a.m.

  13. How old must a licensed driver be for you to drive during curfew?

    • 18
    • 21
    • 25
    • 30

  14. How many passengers under 20 are allowed in the first six months?

    • 0
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3

  15. How many passengers under 20 are allowed in the second six months?

    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • No limit

  16. At what BAC is an adult driver DWI?

    • .04
    • .05
    • .08
    • .10

  17. What is the default limit in urban and town districts?

    • 25 mph
    • 30 mph
    • 35 mph
    • 40 mph

  18. What is the alley limit?

    • 5 mph
    • 10 mph
    • 15 mph
    • 20 mph

  19. What is the default limit elsewhere?

    • 50 mph
    • 55 mph
    • 60 mph
    • 65 mph

  20. What is the penalty for driving over 100 mph?

    • A warning
    • Revocation for at least 6 months
    • A $100 fine only
    • Points only

  21. How far from a stopped school bus with its stop arm out must you stop?

    • 10 feet
    • 15 feet
    • 20 feet
    • 50 feet

  22. What is the minimum fine for passing a stopped school bus?

    • $100
    • $250
    • $500
    • $1,000

  23. Children under what age must ride in the back seat if one is available?

    • 8
    • 10
    • 12
    • 13

  24. While lawfully passing on a 55-mph two-lane highway, you may:

    • Not exceed 55
    • Go up to 10 mph over
    • Go 20 over
    • Go any speed

  25. After how many road-test failures must you take 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction?

    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5

Holding the permit

The permit is valid two years. Under 18, your supervisor must be 21+, everyone must be belted, and you may not use a phone at all, not even hands-free. At 18 or older, any licensed driver 18+ can supervise. You can take the road test after six months, or three months if you're 19 or older.

50 hours, or 40 with the parent class

RouteTotal hoursNight hours
Standard5015
Parent finishes an approved parent class4015

The night requirement doesn't change, and 15 is more than most states require. To get the provisional license at 16, you also need driver ed completed and six months on the permit with no convictions.

The provisional year, in two halves

Months 1–6

No driving midnight–5 a.m., unless a licensed driver 25+ is with you, or you're driving between home and work, to a school event, or for your job. At most one passenger under 20.

Months 7–12

At most three passengers under 20, unless a parent or guardian is along.

Immediate family members don't count toward the passenger limits.

Vanessa's Law: a crash-related moving violation or an alcohol violation as a teen means no license until 18.

Laws to know cold

  • Speed: 10 mph in alleys, 30 in urban districts, 55 elsewhere unless posted. Over 100 mph means at least six months' revocation. On a two-lane highway posted 55 or more, you may go up to 10 over only while lawfully passing.
  • School buses: stop at least 20 feet away, from either direction, when the red lights and stop arm are out. The minimum fine is $500. Traffic on the other side of a divided roadway doesn't stop.
  • DWI: .08 (.04 for commercial drivers). You can be arrested as low as .04 if alcohol affected your driving. A first DWI means at least 90 days' revocation, and up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine.
  • Move Over for authorized vehicles stopped on the road.
  • Children under 13 ride in the back seat when one is available. E-bike riders must be at least 15.

Neighbors

Wisconsin · Iowa (take the test at home) · South Dakota · North Dakota

Minnesota DVS permit test FAQ

How many questions are on the Minnesota permit test?

The Minnesota Driver's Manual doesn't say. It describes multiple-choice and true/false questions on traffic laws and road signs, with 80% needed to pass.

How many times can I take the Minnesota written test?

One attempt per day. After two failures in a row, each later attempt costs $10.

What is the Blue Card or Pink Card?

It's the driver education enrollment certificate. Applicants under 18 must present it to take the knowledge test and get a permit.

How many hours do Minnesota teens need?

50 supervised hours, 15 at night. If a parent completes an approved parent class, it's 40 hours, still with 15 at night.

What is Vanessa's Law?

If a teen driver has a crash-related moving violation or an alcohol violation, they can't get a license until they turn 18.

How much does the Minnesota permit cost?

There's a $16 application filing fee for new license, ID and permit applications (since October 1, 2023). We couldn't confirm the permit fee itself.

Keep studying

Sources: Minnesota Driver's Manual (PDF, May 2025); DPS Driver and Vehicle Services. Not affiliated with Minnesota DPS.