SF4435

Purpose

This bill would require people under 21 to complete a driver education program (classroom instruction plus behind-the-wheel training) before they can obtain a driver’s license. It updates eligibility and training requirements for younger drivers to improve safety on Minnesota roads.

Main provisions

• Driver education requirement
  • Any person 20 years old or younger who has not completed a driver education program that includes both classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training may not be issued a license.
• Under-18 eligibility and prerequisites
  • For applicants aged 16 or 17:
  • They must either already hold a valid license from another state/country or have held a provisional license for the 12 months prior to applying, with specific driving record conditions (no certain violations, limited non-crash moving violations, etc.).
  • The license can be approved only with consent from a parent or guardian (or other qualified approval if needed, such as a guardian, foster parent, or program director in some cases).
  • The applicant must show they have driven a motor vehicle with supervision by a licensed driver at least 21 years old for at least 10 hours during the provisional licensure period.
• General permit and license timing
  • 18 or younger: must have held an appropriate instruction permit for at least 6 months and a provisional license for at least 12 months.
  • 19 or older: must have held an instruction permit for at least 3 months.
• Other eligibility safeguards and requirements
  • Disqualifications can apply for suspended or revoked licenses (with required proof of financial responsibility where applicable), drug dependency, certain mental health conditions, and inability to read/understand official signs.
  • Applicants must pass required vision, knowledge, and road examinations; if they fail four road tests, they must receive at least six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction before retaking the road test.
  • Additional restrictions apply to individuals who are currently required to provide proof of financial responsibility under the Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act.
  • If the commissioner believes operation of a motor vehicle would be unsafe, or if the person has a disability that impairs safe driving, the license can be denied.
• Other licensing conditions
  • The bill retains existing medical, safety, and licensing standards (e.g., vision, knowledge, and road tests) and adds the education mandate for younger applicants.

Significant changes to existing law

• Adds a mandatory driver education program (classroom plus behind-the-wheel) for individuals up to age 21 before licensing.
• Introduces explicit supervision requirements (minimum 10 hours with a licensed driver age 21+) for those with provisional licenses.
• Tightens early licensing eligibility with longer provisional periods for younger drivers (e.g., 12-month provisional license for under-18 applicants, plus specific permit durations).
• Strengthens eligibility screening and parental/guardian involvement, including verification of age and identity for approvals.
• Adds a discretionary pathway for behind-the-wheel instruction when road tests are failed multiple times.
• Maintains broader prohibitions and disqualifications related to safety, health, and financial responsibility but ties them into the under-21 licensing pathway.

Relevant Terms driver education program; behind-the-wheel training; classroom instruction; provisional license; instruction permit; supervised driving; licensed driver 21 years or older; 10 hours; parental consent; guardian; financial responsibility; No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act; vision examination; knowledge examination; road test; road tests failed; six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction; under 21 licensing; under-18 eligibility; 6-month permit minimum; 12-month provisional license; suspension; revocation; driving record; crash-related violations; driving restrictions.