Graduated Driver License Law
Traffic Crashes — The Second Leading Cause of Death for Minnesota Teens
Traffic crashes are the second leading cause of death in Minnesota teens. Each year, more than 30 teens (ages 16–19) are killed on Minnesota roads. The leading cause of teen deaths is suicide. Teens are at greatest risk on the road due to inexperience, risk-taking behind the wheel, speeding and distracted driving. Teens also have the lowest seat belt use rate of all age groups.
Point of Impact: Teen Driver Safety Parent Awareness Program
Effective January 1, 2015, all driver education programs must offer parent awareness classes which provide information on teen driving risks, laws, and the important role parents play in influencing teen driving behaviors. Parents should contact their local driver education provider to learn when their next parent awareness class will be held.
The Point of Impact video, created by the Office of Traffic Safety, is a component of the classroom program.
Driver Education Providers wishing to receive a DVD with the Point of Impact program materials, contact Gordy Pehrson, at gordy.pehrson@state.mn.us.
More Practice for Teens
To take the road test, teen drivers under 18 must spend at least 50 supervised hours behind the wheel, 15 of which are at night, with a parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian completes the 90-minute parent awareness class, the number of supervised hours a teen is required to spend behind the wheel is reduced from a minimum of 50 to 40.
Supervised Driving Log
Effective Jan. 1, 2015, every driver under the age of 18 who completed behind the wheel instruction and is testing for a provisional driver's license must submit a driving log showing the dates and lengths of drive time for each supervised trip. The supervised driving log must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Parents' Role in Developing Safe Teen Drivers — Laws, FAQs and Tips
Learn more about what parents can do to keep teens safe on the road, such as:
- Train teen on a variety of road types (urban, rural) and in different conditions (nighttime, rain, snow).
- Provide significant supervised driving experience for the teen — use driving skills checklist.
- Talk with teen to reinforce teen driver laws and set limits (such as passengers, nighttime driving) — use driving contract between parent and teen.
- Continue to monitor and train teens during the period of greatest crash risk — the first six to 12 months after licensure.
- FAQs —answers for parents and teens about being behind the wheel.
