Studying the handbook helps - but consistent, state-specific practice makes the real exam feel familiar and easier to handle.
Questions
40
Passing score
80% (32 correct)
Time limit
30 min
Agency
DVS
Free Minnesota practice test
Try 10 real Minnesota permit questions
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1 What score is required to pass the Minnesota (DVS) knowledge test?
Minnesota requires 80% (32 of 40 questions) to pass.
2 Your car begins to skid on an icy Minnesota road. You should:
Ease off the accelerator and steer gently toward where you want the car to go; avoid hard braking.
3 Minnesota's Move Over law means when you pass a stopped emergency or tow vehicle with flashing lights you must:
Move over for stopped emergency, maintenance, and tow vehicles; if you can't change lanes, slow down.
4 What is the shape of a STOP sign?
Only the STOP sign is an octagon. The unique 8-sided shape lets drivers recognize it even when snow or dirt hides the wording.
5 A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means:
A solid yellow line on your side means you may not cross it to pass. A broken yellow line on your side would allow passing when safe.
6 Under good conditions, the minimum safe following distance is about:
Use the 3-second rule: pick a fixed point, and you should pass it at least 3 seconds after the car ahead. Add more time in rain, fog, or at higher speeds.
7 A triangular (downward-pointing) sign tells you to:
A downward triangle is always a YIELD sign. Slow down, be ready to stop, and give the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians already in the intersection.
8 When a traffic light is flashing red, you must:
A flashing red light has the same meaning as a STOP sign: come to a full stop, then proceed only when it is safe.
9 In fog, the safest headlights to use are:
High beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility. Use low beams (and fog lights if equipped), and slow down.
10 A school bus ahead stops and turns on its flashing red lights on an undivided road. You must:
On an undivided road, traffic in BOTH directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and remain stopped until the lights are turned off.
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This is just a 10-question taster. The Minnesota app has hundreds of questions,
full-length timed exams, a road-sign trainer, and a readiness score that tells you when you're ready to pass.
Minnesota’s 2026 exam checks four-season confidence across the North Star State
Minnesota teens trade Minneapolis express lanes, Duluth lake-effect squalls, and Iron Range wildlife crossings. The DVS reworked its manual in 2026 to highlight zipper merges, hands-free laws, and online testing etiquette. Plan study nights in three segments: metro traffic (I-35W express lanes, bus-only shoulders, Minneapolis bike boulevards), winter resilience (ABS vs. threshold braking on icy county roads, plow signals, black ice on bridges), and rural awareness (slow-moving tractors, deer migrations, logging trucks). The app’s explanations cite Minnesota Statutes so you grasp the legal basis for each answer. Wrap sessions by comparing instruction permit passenger limits with cellphone penalties-cross-topic prompts like these mirror DVS kiosk questions.
Benchmarks before you attempt Minnesota’s 40-question exam
You’ll answer 40 questions; earn at least 32 correct (80%). Fail either section and you redo the whole test.
Zipper merges appear frequently-know how to alternate at work-zone closures on I-394 and MnPASS corridors.
Winter prompts cover ABS braking, using low gears on icy hills, and when to exit if whiteouts develop along US-2 or I-94.
Expect questions about hands-free requirements, Move Over law expansions, and safe passing distances for cyclists in Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Lake and rural scenarios stress frozen-lake detours, deer crossings at dawn/dusk, and emergency kit essentials for remote county roads.
Minimum age
Minnesota issues instruction permits at 15 with proof of driver education enrollment and a parent or guardian present.
Permit fees
$14.25 instruction permit fee, payable when you pass the exam.
$10 per retake after the third attempt (first two are included).
$24 skills test fee (third-party road test providers may charge more).
Most exam stations accept card, cash, and check; online test fee is paid by card before scheduling.
Retest rules
After failing, you can retest the next day. Once you reach three attempts, you must pay the retest fee and show proof of extra study or practice.
Local statutes to flag
Minn. Stat. §169.14 – Basic speed rule and reduced speed requirements for hazardous conditions.
Minn. Stat. §169.475 – Hands-free device law for all drivers (stricter penalties for teens).
Minn. Stat. §169.18 – Zipper merge and lane-use guidelines in work zones.
Weather patterns highlighted on Minnesota’s exam
Winter storms deposit black ice on I-35 bridges-know when to slow and avoid sudden steering. Spring thaw floods Highway 169; expect reminders never to bypass barricades. Summer hailstorms can crop up around Fargo-Moorhead, prompting questions about safe speeds and following distances.
Picture your Arden Hills exam after a snowy commute
You brush snow off your boots, check in, and stash your bag in a locker. The kiosk tutorial ends and your first question shows a work-zone zipper merge-thanks to practice, you alternate lanes confidently. Later, a deer-crossing scenario appears; you recall advice from your rural driving section and answer calmly before finishing the test.
Regional practice ideas
Practice across neighboring states after Minnesota
Keep momentum by comparing how nearby agencies phrase questions, documentation, and retest timelines.
Quick answers to the questions Minnesota learners search most before exam day.
Can I take Minnesota’s permit test online?
Yes. The online knowledge test is available through DVS with remote proctoring. After passing, visit an exam station within 30 days to finalize your permit.
Do I need driver education before taking the exam?
If you’re under 18, you must be enrolled in a driver education course and present the certificate at the exam station.
What if I fail the online test?
You can retake it the next day, but repeated failures may require you to test in person and pay a retake fee after three attempts.
How long does the instruction permit last?
Permits remain valid for two years. Keep it active while logging your 50 hours of supervised driving (15 at night).
Are interpreters or ADA accommodations available?
Yes. Contact DVS two weeks ahead to arrange interpreter services or other accommodations for in-person testing.
Can I drive immediately after getting the permit?
Yes, with a supervising driver who meets Minnesota’s age and licensing requirements. Follow the nighttime and passenger restrictions in the GDL program.
Related states
Explore more
Other State DMV Practice Tests
Compare how neighboring states handle permits, testing, and Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Driver and Vehicle Services reciprocity.
Every page is aligned with Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Driver and Vehicle Services guidelines and refreshed for 2026. Use them to cross-check documentation, scoring, and waiting periods.