SettleKit LogoSettleKit
Get started

Minnesota driver's license

Get your first license in Minnesota after moving to the US.

The short answer

A first Minnesota Class D driver's license means passing a written test and a road test.1 The license costs $46.2 You may attempt a knowledge test once a day, so a retake waits until the next day.3 Bring a valid licensed driver with you to the road test; during the test itself, only the driver examiner may be in the car with you.4, 5 You also supply the vehicle, with proof of insurance that covers the date of your test.6

How it goes

  1. 1
    You arriveYou have moved to Minnesota and you want to drive here.
  2. 2
    Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
  3. 3
    The written testYou take the written test.
  4. 4
    Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
  5. 5
    Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.

What it costs

A first Class D license, the ordinary car license2$46

If you just arrived in the US

Your immigration status

You can get a standard Minnesota driver's license without showing proof of your status in the United States.7

  • If you have temporary lawful status, your license, permit, or ID card shows a status check date that matches the federal lawful admission period on the documents you present.8

If you have no license to transfer

If your license is expired, you must pass the Class D written test; if it is expired more than one year, you must pass both the Class D written and road tests. If you hold an out-of-state permit, you take the written test to keep your permit.9

Documents you need

  • Documents that are still validFederal immigration documents, U.S. passports, and refugee travel documents must be unexpired, while photo credentials from another U.S. state, territory, or Canadian province may be expired up to five years.10

Your Social Security Number

Giving your number, and who may see it

Minnesota collects the Social Security number to enhance security, reduce the risk of identity theft or fraud, and protect the integrity of the issuance process.11

Tests you take

Eye test

You may bring a vision report from your eye doctor on Form PS30338, signed by a licensed vision examiner, instead of taking the vision check at the office.12

  • The required eyesight screening does not count as the practice of optometry.13

  • The state must have a record of an eyesight examination from the last two years, or you must submit a vision examination certificate completed within the last two years and signed by a licensed physician or optometrist.14

  • The vision check is not a medical exam; it checks whether your eyesight meets minimum standards. Instead of taking it at the office, you can bring a vision report (Form PS30338) signed by a licensed vision examiner.15

Drive test

Applicants must take and pass a road test to get a Minnesota Class D driver's license.1

Tries you get on the written test

You may attempt any type of knowledge test only once per day, and you must wait at least one calendar day between tests.3

Practice questions for the written test

DVS publishes the Class D driver's license manual in written and audio formats in English to study for the knowledge test, with resources in other languages available on the Driver's License for All webpage.16

Using an interpreter

Driver and Vehicle Services has an online virtual assistant that answers common questions and helps you research topics in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish.17

Practising with your permit

Who can sit with you while you practise

You must be supervised by a valid, licensed driver who is 18 or older sitting in the front seat while you practice driving.18

What to bring to the drive test

Who comes with you

Bring a valid, licensed driver with you to the road test. During the test itself, only you and the driver examiner are in the vehicle.4

The car and its insurance

Bring a vehicle to test in, with current registration and proof of insurance that covers the date of your road test.6

Where to go

Who gives the tests

A state driver examiner conducts the road test.5

Office locations

You can find an office or exam station at onlineservices.dps.mn.gov/EServices.19

Other states

A

C

D

F

G

H

I

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

U

V

W

Sources

Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.

  1. 1

    “You will need to take a written and a road test to get a Minnesota class D driver’s license.”

    dps.mn.gov/…/class-d-dl-new-resident

    Checked August 1, 2026

  2. 2

    “Class D $46”

    dps.mn.gov/…/dl-and-id-card-fees

    Checked August 1, 2026

  3. 3

    “7410.4780 REPEAT TESTING. Any type of knowledge test may be attempted only once per day by an applicant with a minimum wait time between tests of not less than one calendar day.”

    revisor.mn.gov/rules/7410/full

    Checked August 9, 2026

  4. 4

    “Bring the following to your road test: Your instruction permit. Make sure you bring your glasses or contact lenses if you have them. A valid, licensed driver.”

    dps.mn.gov/…/class-d-dl-new-driver-age-18-and-older

    Checked July 31, 2026

  5. 5

    “You may not have anyone else in the car during the test other than the driver examiner.”

    dps.mn.gov/…/class-d-dl-new-resident

    Checked August 1, 2026

  6. 6

    “A vehicle to test in, and proof of insurance for that vehicle. Electronic copies from the insurance company are acceptable. The date of your road test must fall on or between the issue date and the expiration date on the proof of insurance.”

    dps.mn.gov/…/class-d-dl-new-driver-age-18-and-older

    Checked August 1, 2026

  7. 7

    “Passed in 2023, Minnesota joined 18 other states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, to allow a standard driver’s license to be issued without proof of immigration status.”

    dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/license-and-id/dl-all

    Checked August 1, 2026

  8. 8

    “A status check date that coincides with the federal lawful admission period indicated on the federal primary document presented or on the additional documentation that indicates the duration of the applicant's lawful short-term admission status shall be indicated on the driver's license, permit, or identification card issued.”

    revisor.mn.gov/rules/7410.0410

    Checked August 1, 2026

  9. 9

    “You will need to pass the class D written test if your driver’s license listed above is expired. You will need to pass the class D written and road tests if it is expired more than one year.”

    dps.mn.gov/…/class-d-dl-new-resident

    Checked August 1, 2026

  10. 10

    “Permanent Resident or Resident Alien card (Form I-551 or I-151) that is valid and not expired; § (5) Northern Mariana card (Form I-873 with "Northern Mariana" imprinted instead of "Resident Alien"); § (6) American Indian card (Form I-872 with "American Indian" imprinted instead of "Resident Alien"); § (7) employment authorization document with a photograph (Form I-688, I-688A, I-688B, or I-766) that has not expired; or § (8) unexpired Re-entry Permit/Refugee Travel Document (I-571).”

    revisor.mn.gov/rules/7410.0400

    Checked August 3, 2026

  11. 11

    “This requirement enhances security, reduces the risk of identity theft or fraud, and protects the integrity of the issuance process.”

    dps.mn.gov/…/your-social-security-number-and-your-dl-id-card

    Checked August 3, 2026

  12. 12

    “You can bring a vision report from your eye doctor when you apply for your card, instead of taking the vision check at the office.”

    dps.mn.gov/…/class-d-dl-new-resident

    Checked August 3, 2026

  13. 13

    “A screening of eyesight required by this subdivision does not constitute the practice of optometry as defined in section 148.56 .”

    revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/171.13

    Checked August 4, 2026

  14. 14

    “(5) for a driver's license, the commissioner has a record that the applicant has undergone an examination of the applicant's eyesight within the last two years, or the applicant submits a vision examination certificate that: (i) has been completed within the last two years; (ii) is signed by a licensed physician or an optometrist, including one who holds a similar license in a jurisdiction outside the United States; and (iii) is in a form as prescribed by the commissioner;”

    revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/171.06

    Checked August 4, 2026

  15. 15

    “Your eyes will be checked when you apply for a permit or driver’s license. This is not a medical exam; it is a check to determine if your vision meets minimum standards. You can bring a vision report from your eye doctor when you apply for your card, instead of taking the vision check at the office.”

    dps.mn.gov/…/class-d-dl-new-resident

    Checked August 3, 2026

  16. 16

    “Class D driver's license manual in English Written manual Audio manual For resources in other languages, visit Driver's License for All.”

    dps.mn.gov/…/class-d-dl-forms-documents-and-manuals

    Checked July 26, 2026

  17. 17

    “DVS online visitors can use the virtual assistant to ask questions, gather information, and research topics in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish. It provides answers to the most common questions DVS receives on any given day.”

    dps.mn.gov/…/dept-public-safety-launches-multilingual-virtual-assistant

    Checked June 7, 2026

  18. 18

    “You must be supervised by a valid, licensed driver who is 18 or older. They must be in the front seat while you are practicing driving.”

    dps.mn.gov/…/class-d-dl-new-driver-age-18-and-older

    Checked July 31, 2026

  19. 19

    “"Find an office or exam station" -> https://onlineservices.dps.mn.gov/EServices/”

    dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/locations

    Checked August 1, 2026

Applying for a driver's license in Minnesota?

Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.

Build my steps