What do my teenage kids have to do to complete and get their permit?

Q) What do my teenage kids have to do to complete and get their MN permit, my daughter is 17 and my son is 18?

A) To obtain a Minnesota driver’s permit, both your daughter and son will need to follow these general steps:

1. Complete a driver education course: Teenagers under the age of 18 must complete a state-approved driver education course, which typically includes both classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training. Your children may have already completed this step, but if not, they will need to enroll in and complete a course before they can obtain a permit.
2. Pass the written knowledge test: Your children will need to pass a written knowledge test at a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) exam station. The test covers topics such as traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. They can find study materials and practice tests on the DVS website.
3. Provide identification and parental consent: Your children will need to provide identification (such as a birth certificate or passport) and have a parent or legal guardian sign a consent form.
4. Pass a vision screening: Your children will need to pass a vision screening at the exam station.

Once your children have completed these steps and received their permit, they will need to log at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including at least 15 hours of nighttime driving. After they have held their permit for at least six months and have met these requirements, they will be eligible to take the road test and obtain a driver’s license.

I recommend that your children visit the Minnesota DVS website or call their local DVS exam station for more information and specific requirements.