Minimum age for a car driving licence in Minnesota (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: An instruction permit is available from 15 and a provisional licence from 16 in Minnesota. A permit must be held at least six months before a driver's licence.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 16 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [2] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | A provisional licence can be issued from 16 to an applicant who has held an instruction permit for the six months before applying and has no disqualifying convictions. A permit holder under 18 must be supervised by a certified driver education instructor, a parent or guardian, or another licensed driver aged 21 or older. [1] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [2] |
| Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence | A supervised driving log must show at least 40 hours with a licensed driver aged 21 or over, at least 15 of them at night, plus either 10 more hours (50 in total) or a parent's certificate of the supplemental parental curriculum. [1] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | For the first six months of a provisional licence, driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m. is allowed only between home and work or a school event without school transport, for employment, or with a licensed driver aged 25 or over. [1] |
| Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | For the first six months of a provisional licence, no more than one passenger under 20 who is not immediate family; for the second six months, no more than three. The limits do not apply when a parent or guardian is in the vehicle. [1] |
Notes
- This is the age for a restricted licence (intermediate or provisional stage). The restrictions are described under driving before the minimum age.
- No official page on age conditions for visitors holding an out-of-state licence was read.
Sources
- Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes: Sec. 171.055 MN Statutes (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes: Sec. 171.05 MN Statutes (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Minnesota and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 16 (provisional licence) | 15 (instruction permit) | Provisional at 16 after 6 months with a permit | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Iowa | 16 (intermediate licence) | 14 (instruction permit) | Intermediate from 16 after 12 months on a permit | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Michigan | ⚠ Not yet verified | 14 years 9 months (level 1) | Level 1 from 14 y 9 m; level 2 after 6 months, 50 hours | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| North Dakota | 16 (restricted licence at 15) | 14 (instruction permit) | Restricted licence at 15 with driver education | Nonresident 16+ with a valid home licence |
| South Dakota | 16 (operator's licence) | 14 (instruction permit) | Restricted minor's permit at 14 (parent's car) | Nonresident 16+ with a valid home licence |
| Wisconsin | 16 (probationary licence) | 15 (instruction permit) | Permit at 15; probationary licence at 16 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Minnesota
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 8 plants, max 4 mature
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2, 3 (bicycle) · Minimum age: 15 years
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (sparklers/ground devices only) · Minimum age to buy: 18 (sparklers etc.)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Ordinary folding knives not named · Locking or one-handed knives: Automatic switch blade knives banned
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $11.41 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Voice/hands-free mode only, device not held
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, driver and all passengers · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, driver and all passengers
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Any alcohol, under 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.