Minnesota Teen Driving Laws: A Parent's Guide to the GDL Program

For a teenager in Minnesota, getting a driver's license is a rite of passage. For parents, it marks the beginning of a new chapter of responsibility and concern. To address this, Minnesota has a Graduated Driver's Licensing (GDL) system for all drivers under the age of 18.

These laws are not designed to be inconvenient; they are a data-driven safety system created to protect new, inexperienced drivers by limiting their exposure to the highest-risk driving scenarios. For these laws to be effective, both teens and parents must understand and enforce them as a team.

The Foundation: The Instruction Permit Phase (Age 15)

The journey begins with a learner's permit, which is all about supervised practice.

Driver's Education: To get a permit, a teen must first be enrolled in a state-approved 30-hour driver education classroom course.
Mandatory Six-Month Holding Period: A teen must hold their instruction permit for a minimum of six consecutive months, conviction-free, before they are eligible to take their road test.
The 50-Hour Driving Log: During this six-month period, a parent or legal guardian must supervise and certify that the teen has completed at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice (40 hours if the parent attends a supplemental parent class).
- Of these hours, at least 15 hours must take place at night.
Supervision Rule: During the entire permit phase, the teen must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and is seated in the front passenger seat.

The Provisional License (Age 16)

After successfully completing the permit phase and all driver's ed requirements, a teen can take the road test to earn their provisional license. This license comes with critical restrictions.

1. Nighttime Driving Curfew

For the first six months of holding a provisional license, a teen driver CANNOT drive between the hours of 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and 5 a.m.
Exceptions: This curfew is waived if the teen is accompanied by a licensed driver 25 or older. It is also waived for travel to or from work or a school activity for which the school does not provide transportation.

2. Passenger Restrictions

This is one of the most important GDL rules.

For the first six months of holding a provisional license, a teen driver CANNOT transport more than one passenger under the age of 20.
For the second six months, they cannot transport more than three passengers under 20.
Exception: This restriction does not apply if the passengers are immediate family members. It is also waived if a parent or guardian is in the vehicle.

3. The Mobile Device Ban

This rule is simple and strict. Drivers under the age of 18 are PROHIBITED from using any cell phone or other wireless communication device while driving, even in hands-free mode. The only exception is for making an emergency 911 call.

The Full Unrestricted License

After holding the provisional license for at least 12 months (or 6 months if 18) without any convictions, a teen can apply for a full, unrestricted license.

The Parent's Crucial Role

The GDL laws provide the legal framework, but a parent's reinforcement is what truly creates a safe driver.

Know the Rules: Be an expert on the curfew and passenger restrictions so you can enforce them correctly.
Lead by Example: Your teen learned their driving habits from watching you. Put your phone away, obey the speed limit, and always wear your seat belt.
Create a Driving Contract: A written parent-teen agreement that outlines the rules and consequences can be a powerful tool for setting expectations beyond what the law requires.

By working together, parents and teens can navigate Minnesota's GDL program, ensuring the path to driving freedom is a safe one that builds a lifetime of responsible habits.