Minnesota DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

This page covers what you need to know for the Minnesota driver's license knowledge exam: how the test works, the Minnesota-specific rules that often show up on it, and sample questions with explained answers. Everything here is based on the official Minnesota driver's manual and state traffic code (sources are listed at the bottom). The real Minnesota test has 40 questions and you need 32 correct (80%) to pass.

When you're ready, take a free 25-question practice test that mixes Minnesota-specific questions with general driving questions, with an explanation after every answer. Each attempt draws a new set. No signup needed.

Minnesota Permit Test and Licensing Facts

Knowledge Test	40 questions, must score 32/40 (80%) to pass
Minimum Permit Age	15
Minimum License Age	16
Speed Limits	Highway: up to 70 mph \| Residential: 30 mph \| School Zone: 15 mph
DWI Law	BAC limit: 0.08% (Under 21: Zero Tolerance)
Point System	No point system. Minnesota tracks violations and may require reexamination or suspend for habitual offenders.

Rules Specific to Minnesota

Minnesota uses the term DWI and has zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Minnesota requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and during any precipitation
Minnesota's Move Over Law requires drivers to move over or slow down for any stopped vehicle with flashing lights

Sample Minnesota Permit Test Questions

These questions cover rules that are specific to Minnesota. They're the ones people most often miss, because the answer differs from state to state.

What is the per se legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for most adult (21+) drivers?
- A. 0.05%
- B. 0.08%
- C. 0.10%
- D. 0.16%
Answer: 0.08%. A BAC at or above this level can result in a DWI based on alcohol concentration alone. You can still be arrested at lower levels if you appear impaired.
For a driver under age 21, what BAC is permitted while driving?
- A. 0.00% (any alcohol is illegal)
- B. 0.02%
- C. 0.05%
- D. 0.08%
Answer: 0.00% (any alcohol is illegal). Minnesota’s under-21 rule prohibits driving after consuming alcohol. If the alcohol concentration is high enough, standard DWI laws may apply.
When must a child be in an approved child restraint system (not just a seat belt) based on age and height?
- A. Under 6 AND under 4'0"
- B. Under 8 AND shorter than 4'9"
- C. Under 10 AND shorter than 5'0"
- D. Under 12 AND shorter than 5'4"
Answer: Under 8 AND shorter than 4'9". A child who is both under the age threshold and under the height threshold must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system. Use the car seat or booster according to the manufacturer’s limits.
Unless otherwise posted, what is the typical speed limit in an urban district?
- A. 25 mph
- B. 30 mph
- C. 35 mph
- D. 45 mph
Answer: 30 mph. Urban areas commonly have a lower statutory speed limit unless signs indicate a different limit. Always slow further for traffic, weather, or road conditions.
How far from a fire hydrant must you park at minimum to avoid a state-law parking violation?
- A. At least 5 feet
- B. At least 10 feet
- C. At least 15 feet
- D. At least 20 feet
Answer: At least 10 feet. Parking too close can block emergency access. Always follow any posted signs requiring a greater distance.
What must you complete to get a Minnesota instruction permit at 15?
- A. Nothing but the written test
- B. 30 hours of classroom instruction and enrollment in behind-the-wheel training
- C. 50 hours of driving
- D. A parent class only
Answer: 30 hours of classroom instruction and enrollment in behind-the-wheel training. You must be at least 15, complete 30 classroom hours (or 15 in a concurrent course), and be enrolled in behind-the-wheel instruction.
If a Minnesota parent does NOT take the optional parent class, how many supervised hours must the teen log?
- A. 30 hours, 10 at night
- B. 40 hours, 15 at night
- C. 50 hours, 15 at night
- D. 60 hours, 20 at night
Answer: 50 hours, 15 at night. With the parent class, 40 hours (15 at night) are required. Without it, 50 hours (15 at night).
What score is needed on the Minnesota written test?
- A. 70%
- B. 75%
- C. 80%
- D. 85%
Answer: 80%. You may take one written test per day and need 80 percent to pass.
May a Minnesota instruction permit holder under 18 talk on a phone while driving?
- A. Yes, hands-free
- B. Yes, at red lights
- C. No, not even with a hands-free device
- D. Yes, for short calls
Answer: No, not even with a hands-free device. Permit holders under 18 may not use or talk on a cell phone while driving, with or without a hands-free device.
During the first six months with a Minnesota provisional license, when may you not drive (without an exception)?
- A. 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- B. 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- C. Midnight to 5 a.m.
- D. Midnight to 6 a.m.
Answer: Midnight to 5 a.m.. For the first six months, no driving from midnight to 5 a.m. unless with a licensed driver 25 or older, or for work or certain school events.
During the first six months with a Minnesota provisional license, how many passengers under 20 may you carry without a parent or guardian?
- A. None
- B. One
- C. Two
- D. Three
Answer: One. Only one passenger under 20 for the first six months, then up to three in the second six months, unless a parent or guardian is along.
How far from a stopped Minnesota school bus with red lights and stop arm out must you stop?
- A. At least 10 feet
- B. At least 20 feet
- C. At least 50 feet
- D. At least 100 feet
Answer: At least 20 feet. Stop at least 20 feet from the bus, whether you face its front or back, until the stop arm is retracted.
How far before stopping does a Minnesota school bus activate its flashing yellow lights in a zone of 35 mph or less?
- A. At least 50 feet
- B. At least 100 feet
- C. At least 300 feet
- D. At least 500 feet
Answer: At least 100 feet. Yellow lights come on at least 100 feet before a stop in zones of 35 mph or less, and at least 300 feet in faster zones.
What is the speed limit in a Minnesota alley under ideal conditions?
- A. 5 mph
- B. 10 mph
- C. 15 mph
- D. 20 mph
Answer: 10 mph. Minnesota sets alleys at 10 mph, urban or town roads at 30 mph, and other unspecified locations at 55 mph.
On a Minnesota two-lane highway with a limit of 55 mph or higher, how much may you exceed the limit while lawfully passing?
- A. Not at all
- B. 5 mph
- C. 10 mph
- D. 15 mph
Answer: 10 mph. On two-lane highways posted 55 mph or higher, you may go up to 10 mph over while lawfully passing.
In Minnesota, you may not park within how many feet of a flashing light, stop sign, or traffic signal?
- A. 15 feet
- B. 20 feet
- C. 30 feet
- D. 50 feet
Answer: 30 feet. Don't park within 30 feet of a flashing light, stop sign, or traffic signal, or within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
Under Minnesota's Move Over law, what must you do on a road with two lanes in your direction?
- A. Keep your lane and speed
- B. Move to the lane farthest from the stopped emergency vehicle if safe
- C. Stop behind it
- D. Honk twice
Answer: Move to the lane farthest from the stopped emergency vehicle if safe. Move to the farthest lane if safe. If you can't, or there's only one lane your way, slow down and pass with caution.
What does refusing a chemical test in Minnesota lead to?
- A. A warning
- B. It's a crime, with revocation of 1 to 6 years depending on prior offenses
- C. A 30-day suspension
- D. A fine only
Answer: It's a crime, with revocation of 1 to 6 years depending on prior offenses. Refusing is a crime and results in revocation for one to six years, depending on your record.
How much space must you leave when passing a bicyclist in Minnesota?
- A. At least 2 feet
- B. At least 3 feet
- C. At least 5 feet
- D. Half a lane
Answer: At least 3 feet. Keep at least 3 feet between the side of your car and the bicyclist.
What happens if you fail two consecutive Minnesota road tests?
- A. You must wait 6 months
- B. A $20 fee for each later test
- C. You must retake driver education
- D. Nothing changes
Answer: A $20 fee for each later test. After two consecutive failures, each later road test costs $20.

Minnesota Permit Test FAQ

How many questions are on the Minnesota permit test?

The Minnesota knowledge test has 40 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 32 correct answers (80%) to pass.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Minnesota?

The minimum age for a learner's permit in Minnesota is 15. The minimum age for a driver's license is 16.

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Minnesota?

Minnesota calls impaired driving DWI. The limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, and zero tolerance (any detectable alcohol) for drivers under 21.

How does the Minnesota driver point system work?

No point system. Minnesota tracks violations and may require reexamination or suspend for habitual offenders.

What are the default speed limits in Minnesota?

Typical limits in Minnesota are up to 70 mph on highways, 30 mph in residential areas and 15 mph in school zones. Posted signs always take priority.

Sources

The facts and questions on this page are based on the following official Minnesota government sources:

Facts and questions last checked against the Minnesota Driver's Manual on September 26, 2026.

Laws change. Always check the current Minnesota driver's manual before your test. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any Minnesota government agency.