Driver training rules in Minnesota

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Minnesota for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Required under 18: approved course with at least 30 hours classroom + 6 hours behind the wheel (laboratory).source 1 · source 2
Supervised practice (teens)	50 hours supervised driving (15 at night), or 40 hours if the parent takes the supplemental parent class. Permit held 6 months.source 2 · source 3
New adult drivers	No classroom or behind-the-wheel course required at 18+. New drivers hold the permit 6 months at age 18, 3 months if older.source 4 · source 3
Who licenses driving schools	The commissioner licenses commercial driver training schools (Minn. Stat. 171.33-171.41).source 5 · source 1
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	Class A/B/C curricula must be submitted for state approval, and each curriculum must specify its hours. No state hour minimum.source 1
CDL schools: state license	Yes. A commercial driver training school (one that charges a fee) needs a license from the commissioner of public safety (Minn. Stat. 171.33, 171.34).source 5 · source 6
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	No state hour minimum. Class A, B or C curricula must be submitted for state approval and must state the hours of instruction (Minn. R. 7411).source 1
CDL schools: instructor rules	Yes. State instructor license (171.35); Class A, B or C instructors need a CDL representative of the vehicle class used (Minn. R. 7411).source 7 · source 1
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Exempt if free. Sections 171.33 to 171.41 do not apply to employers running free driver training schools for their own employees (Minn. Stat. 171.39).source 8
Carriers: hours or curriculum	Curriculum approval rules bind licensed schools; a free employee-only carrier school is exempt. No state hour minimum for anyone; federal ELDT applies.source 8 · source 1
Carriers: instructor rules	Exempt if free. The instructor license in 171.35 is within 171.33 to 171.41, which do not apply to free employee-only employer schools; federal 380.605 applies.source 8 · source 7
New school bus drivers	No hour minimum: drivers must meet listed competencies; the commissioner of public safety develops a model training program and assessments.source 9
School bus refresher	Employer gives in-service training every year; 8+ hours of in-service may replace the yearly competency assessment after year one.source 9

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Minnesota, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in Minnesota

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/7411/full
2. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/171.055
3. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/171.05
4. https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/dvs/dvs-class-d-drivers-manual-english.pdf
5. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/171.34
6. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/171.33
7. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/171.35
8. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/171.39
9. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/171.321

See all states