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MINNESOTA TRAFFIC LAWS FOR DRIVERS UNDER AGE 18Graduated Drivers License - General Info
The graduated driver's license law (GDL) complements the existing driver's license program by providing a provisional license stage for young drivers.
This multi-tiered program, designed to ease young novice drivers into the driving environment, provides for additional parental/legal guardian involvement. It also emphasizes the importance of a good driving record. To further enhance safety, the Department of Public Safety recommends that parents/guardians place further restrictions in addition to provisions of the Graduated Licensing law.
A few GDL facts. The Graduated Driver's License law provides for three phases of licensing for persons under 18 years of age:- Phase I-Instruction Permit
- Must be at least 15 years of age.
- Must have completed 30 hours of classroom instruction and be enrolled in behind-the-wheel instruction.
- Must pass vision screening and knowledge test.
- Parent or legal guardian signature and certification required.
- Permit holder may drive under the supervision of a certified driving instructor, parent or guardian, or other licensed driver age 21 or older.
- Every occupant under the age of 18 must wear their seat belts/child safety restraints.
- Phase II-Provisional License
- Must be at least 16 years of age and have completed classroom and behind-the-wheel phases of driver education.
- Must have held an instruction permit for six months with no convictions for moving violations or convictions for alcohol/controlled substance violations. (M.S. 169A.20 & 169A.54 Driving Under the Influence; M.S. 169A.33 & 169A.54 Underage Drinking and Driving; M.S.169A.35 Open Bottle; M.S. 169A.50 M.S.169A.51 M.S.169A.52 and M.S. 169.53 Implied Consent)
- Must have passed the road test.
- Must have at least 30 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours of night driving, verified by parent/guardian.
- Every occupant under the age of 18 must wear their seat belts/child safety restraints.
- Phase III-Full License
- Must be at least 18 years of age or
- Must have held a provisional license for at least 12 consecutive months with no convictions for alcohol/controlled substance violations or crash-related moving violations, and with not more than one conviction for a moving violation.
- If under 18, the parent/guardian must attest to at least 10 additional hours of supervised driving.
Vanessa’s Law
An unlicensed teen driver with 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, instruction permit or provisional license until age 18. At 18, the driver must- Pass the knowledge test(s.
- Fulfill reinstatement requirements, including payment of fees which can be up to $680, depending on circumstances.
- Obtain an instruction permit and hold it for at least six months.
- Pass the road test.
A licensed teen driver with a provisional license whose driving privileges were 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 knowledge test.
- Obtain an instruction permit and hold it for three months.
- Complete the behind-the-wheel portion of a driver education course.
NEW - Taking Effect August 1, 2008:
Nighttime Driving Limitation — New Law
For the first six months of licensure: Driving is prohibited midnight – 5 a.m.
- Exemptions: Driving when accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older; driving between home and place of employment; driving to/from home and a school event for which the school has not provided transportation; driving for employment purposes.
- The nighttime limitation is lifted after the first six months of licensure.
Teen Passenger Limitations — New Law
- For the first six months of licensure: Only one passenger under the age of 20 is permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- For the second six months of licensure: No more than three passengers under the age of 20 are permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Exemption: Passengers under age 20 who are members of the immediate family are permitted.
Seat Belt Use
Drivers and passengers under age 18 must wear a seat belt or be properly secured in a child restraint.
Cell Phone Restrictions
It is illegal for drivers under age 18 to use a cellular/wireless phone, whether hand-held or hands-free — except to call 911 in an emergency.
Texting Restrictions (drivers of all ages)
A new law has made it illegal for drivers of all ages to compose, read, or send text messages or access the internet on a wireless device while on the road.
Acknowledgments: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Teens Behind the Wheel: A Teen Crash Prevention Education Program
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