Class D driver education for students under 18
30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours behind the wheel
Overseen by Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services, Office of Driver Education
- Age
Minnesota may issue an instruction permit to an applicant who is 15, 16 or 17 and meets the driver education and other conditions in the law.
What the source says
“(a) The department may issue an instruction permit to an applicant who is 15, 16, or 17 years of age and who:”
Minnesota Statutes 171.05 | Instruction permit, read October 7, 2026
- Course length
A Class D program must give a student under 18 at least 30 hours of approved classroom instruction.
What the source says
“A class D motor vehicle program must provide a student who is less than 18 years old with a minimum of 30 hours of approved classroom instruction.”
Minnesota Rules, Chapter 7411 | Driver Education, read October 7, 2026
A program must give a Class D student under 18 at least six hours of laboratory instruction.
What the source says
“must provide a class D driver education student who is less than 18 years old with a minimum of six hours of laboratory instruction;”
Minnesota Rules, Chapter 7411 | Driver Education, read October 7, 2026
- Taking it online
One of the classroom options the permit law accepts is an online driver education program authorized by section 171.396.
What the source says
“(E) an online driver education program authorized by section 171.396;”
Minnesota Statutes 171.05 | Instruction permit, read October 7, 2026
A licensed or approved driver education program may offer online driver education under Minnesota law.
What the source says
“A licensed or approved driver education program may offer online driver education as provided in this section.”
Minnesota Statutes 171.396 | Online driver education program, read October 7, 2026
- Who approves it
All online classroom driver training programs completed must comply with Minnesota Statute 171.396.
What the source says
“All online classroom driver training programs completed must be in compliance with Minnesota Statute 171.396.”
Approved online classroom driver training programs | Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services, read October 7, 2026
- Good to know
The online material is the same DVS-approved curriculum used in in-person programs and goes through the same audits and checks.
What the source says
“The material covered is the same DVS-approved curriculum received during in-person programs and undergo the same audits and checks to ensure the curriculum meets all the DVS standards.”
Get your teen ready to hit the road, regardless of how they learn | Minnesota Department of Public Safety, read October 7, 2026
An online program must have a licensed Minnesota driver education instructor monitor each student's progress and be available to answer questions in a timely manner, though not in real time.
What the source says
“(6) require a licensed Minnesota driver education instructor to monitor each student's progress and be available to answer questions in a timely manner, provided that the instructor is not required to monitor progress or answer questions in real time;”
Minnesota Statutes 171.396 | Online driver education program, read October 7, 2026
An online program must provide technical support to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What the source says
“(5) provide technical support to customers that is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week;”
Minnesota Statutes 171.396 | Online driver education program, read October 7, 2026