1.4 The Road Test, License Classes, Endorsements & Age-15 Exceptions

1.4 The Road Test, License Classes, Endorsements & Age-15 Exceptions

Quick Answer: Minnesota's road test has three parts — a vehicle safety equipment demonstration, a vehicle control skills check, and a driving performance evaluation in normal traffic. You must make an appointment, bring your valid instruction permit and current proof of insurance, and supply your own vehicle (a neighborhood electric vehicle is not allowed). If you are under 18 you must also bring a supervised driving log and the "White Card" course-completion certificate. Fail two consecutive road tests and every later road test costs $20. Minnesota issues four license classes — A, B, C and D — plus endorsements that require additional tests.

The knowledge test is only the first gate. Understanding the road test, the license classes, and the narrow age-15 exceptions is squarely inside Chapter 1 of the Minnesota Driver's Manual, which means it is fair game on the written test.

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1. The Three Parts of the Minnesota Road Test

The road test evaluates road rules and your ability to drive safely under normal traffic conditions. The examiner assesses your risk awareness and reactions, how you observe intersections, how you change lanes, and how you handle other situations. You will never be asked to do anything illegal during the test.

The Safety Equipment Demonstration

Before the driving portion begins, you may be asked to demonstrate knowledge of:

• Seat adjustment
• Seat belts
• Emergency (parking) brake
• Activating headlights, both high and low beams — if your vehicle has fully automatic headlights, you must still activate high and low beams manually
• Activating hazard warning lights (four-way flashers)
• Horn
• Windshield wipers
• Windshield defroster and fan controls
• Mirrors
• Fuel gauge

If you cannot pass the safety equipment demonstration, you are not allowed to finish the road test that day. This is the cheapest possible failure to avoid — spend ten minutes finding every control in the car you plan to test in.

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2. Scheduling, Documents & the Test Vehicle

Road tests are by appointment at dps.mn.gov/mydvs or by phone. Bring:

• Your valid instruction permit
• Current proof of insurance — the original insurance card or policy for the vehicle
• If under 18: a supervised driving log and a certificate of course completion ("White Card") proving you finished approved classroom and behind-the-wheel driver education

Vehicle Requirements

You must provide your own vehicle, and it must have:

• Doors that open from both inside and outside
• Properly working seat belts
• Working headlights, taillights, turn signals and brake lights
• Any equipment required by your license or permit restrictions, in working order

Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) may not be used for the road test. If you use a rental, you must be listed as a driver on the rental agreement. You may use a vehicle with a backup camera, but the camera must not be your only method of observation when backing.

Rules During the Test

• No smoking, and the vehicle must be smoke-free before the examiner enters
• No electronic devices or cell phone use
• No passengers — including pets, children, or interpreters
• Loose objects that could break or cause injury must be removed
• Vehicles with parking assist may not use that feature for parallel parking during the test

Road Test Fees

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3. Minnesota's Four License Classes

You must always carry your license when driving, and you need the correct class and endorsements for the vehicle you are operating. Your class, endorsements and restrictions are printed on the back of the license.

The Class D License — What It Covers

A Class D license is the standard Minnesota driver's license. It lets you drive all single-unit vehicles with three exceptions:

1. Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more
2. Vehicles designed to carry more than 15 passengers (including the driver)
3. Vehicles that carry hazardous materials

A Class D license also covers:

• Farm trucks hauling agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies (including hazardous materials) within 150 miles of the farm, if you are the farmer, an immediate family member, or a farm employee
• Authorized emergency vehicles, regardless of weight
• Recreational vehicles (motor homes, camping trailers) for personal use
• Motorized bicycles (mopeds) and electric-assist bicycles
• Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) and autocycles
• Motorcycles — only with the motorcycle endorsement

Towing with a Class D: you may tow a trailer or other vehicle if the trailer's gross vehicle weight is 10,000 pounds or less, or if the trailer is heavier than 10,000 pounds but the combined weight of vehicle and trailer is 26,000 pounds or less.

Classes A, B and C

Classes A, B and C are commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) for heavier vehicles and combinations. They require separate knowledge testing and, for several vehicle types, specialized road tests.

Endorsements

You need an endorsement to drive motorcycles, buses, school buses, double and triple trailers, tank vehicles, or to carry hazardous materials. Every endorsement requires an additional written test, and the bus, school bus and motorcycle endorsements also require specialized road tests.

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4. The Three Age-15 Exceptions

Normally you cannot hold a full driver's license before 16. Minnesota allows three narrow exceptions at age 15, each requiring a driver education course and a passed road test:

Restricted Farm Work Driver's License

• Lets you drive alone during daylight hours within 40 miles of the farmhouse to help with farm work, whether or not your parent or guardian owns the farm
• Requires a parent/guardian form presented to the examiner at the road test, plus a property tax statement classifying the property as agricultural (a rental agreement too, if the land is rented)
• If you work for a farmer who is not your parent or guardian, the farm owner must file a form stating the need
• You do not have to wait six months to take the road test, but you must still hold an instruction permit and present a behind-the-wheel completion certificate and supervised driving log
• The farm restriction can be removed after you have held the license six months and reached age 16 — you must apply to remove it

Special Medical Driver's License

• Issued at 15 when there are no licensed drivers in the household and you must drive for your own medical needs or those of a relative who cannot drive due to disability
• Requires a completed License for Medical Reason Exemption form before the road test
• The Commissioner of Public Safety may attach conditions and limits
• The restriction prints on the license as MEDLIM
• Like the farm license, no six-month wait — but a permit, behind-the-wheel certificate and driving log are still required

Motorized Bicycle (Moped) Permit

• Available at 15 after completing a motorized bicycle safety course and passing the written, vision and road tests
• An electric-assist bicycle is not a moped — no test or license is needed to ride one, but you must be at least 15 years old

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5. Keeping Your Credential Current

• Renewal and replacement, name or address change: handled through DVS; keep your record current
• Selective Service: U.S. citizens and residents ages 18–26 are automatically registered when applying for any Minnesota license or ID; if you are under 18, DVS withholds registration until your 18th birthday
• Veterans with a 100 percent total service-connected disability: exempt from driver's license and ID card fees, including filing fees
• State ID cards: available at any office that accepts license applications; you may hold only one type of card, and DVS will not issue an ID to someone with a valid license or permit without a downgrade statement
• Expedited (fast track) service: $20 extra, processed within three business days, delivered by UPS within 10 business days, and an adult must sign for the card. You may not fast track a first-time application, an enhanced license or ID, or a license upgrade.