Class D road test
The Minnesota Class D road test is given by a DVS driver examiner at an exam station, by appointment, in a vehicle you supply. It has three parts: a vehicle safety equipment demonstration, vehicle control skills (such as parallel parking, hill parking and a 90-degree backing maneuver) and an on-street driving test. Points are deducted for errors; you fail with more than 20 points deducted, more than three perceived-risk errors, or any immediate-fail event.
Checked October 4, 2026 against official Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services Division sources. Tap a numbered chip to read the exact wording.
Under 18: hold the instruction permit at least six months with no moving or alcohol/drug convictions, and have finished classroom and behind-the-wheel driver education. Age 18: hold the permit 180 days. Age 19 and older: hold it 90 days. Bring a licensed driver with you. Official source 1assets.dps.mn.gov“Under the GDL system, if you are 18 years old or younger, you must hold an instruction permit for at least six months before taking the road test.”“Have held an instruction permit for six months with no convictions for moving or alcohol/controlled- substance violations.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 2dps.mn.gov“Eighteen-year-olds who are not previously licensed must hold an instruction permit for 180 days and pass a road test.”“Nineteen-year-olds must hold a permit for 90 days and pass a road test.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
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The examiner checks your car before you drive. If it fails, you usually can’t take the test that day.
Scored by point values assigned to specific maneuvers, plus perceived-risk errors. Fail with more than 20 points deducted or more than three perceived-risk errors. Missing three or more items of the equipment demonstration ends the test immediately. Per-item point values are not published. Official source 4revisor.mn.gov“Road and skills tests must be scored on the basis of point values assigned to specific driving maneuvers, on the ability of the applicant to perceive risks within the driving environment, and the ability of the applicant to react safely and obey traffic laws.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 5revisor.mn.gov“A test is failed if the applicant accumulates a point deduction of more than 20 on a class A, B, C, or D road test.”“A test is failed if the applicant incurs more than three perceived risk errors on a class A, B, C, or D road test.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Any one of these ends or fails a Minnesota road test, no matter how well the rest goes.
Steps and scoring come from Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services Division’s own materials, in their words where possible. Where a state publishes no steps, we say so rather than guess.
You show the examiner the vehicle controls before leaving the lot. Missing three or more items ends the test; a first equipment-demonstration failure does not count as a road test failure.
Evaluated as a vehicle control skill; parking assist may not be used. Hitting a parking flag counts as a crash and fails the test.
Evaluated as a vehicle control skill.
Simulates backing into a 10-foot-wide driveway or parking space. Look out the rear window; a backup camera can't be the only way you check.
Evaluated on signaling and performing turns properly. Turning from the wrong lane where lanes are marked is an immediate fail.
Not officially described by DVS.
Evaluated on signaling and performing turns properly.
Not officially described by DVS.
Evaluated on use of marked and unmarked lanes and observation when changing lanes. Driving in the wrong lane where lanes are clearly marked is an immediate fail.
Not officially described by DVS.
Evaluated on observation at intersections and response to signs and signals.
Not officially described by DVS.
Overall control of the vehicle. Official source 1assets.dps.mn.gov“During the road test, you will be examined and evaluated on your: ■ Control of the vehicle. ■ Ability to parallel park. ■ Ability to park on a hill.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Your ability to perceive risks and react safely; more than three perceived-risk errors fails the test. Official source 4revisor.mn.gov“Road and skills tests must be scored on the basis of point values assigned to specific driving maneuvers, on the ability of the applicant to perceive risks within the driving environment, and the ability of the applicant to react safely and obey traffic laws.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Observation and consideration of pedestrians and other drivers. Official source 1assets.dps.mn.gov“Observation and consideration of pedestrians and other drivers. ■ Ability to perform the 90-degree backing skill maneuver, which simulates backing into a 10-foot-wide driveway or parking space.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
One road test per day. After a failure you must complete an assigned practice period: one week after the first failure and two weeks after the second, third or fourth. After two failures each further test costs $20. After four failures you must take six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction before testing again. Official source 1assets.dps.mn.gov“If you fail the road test two times, a retest fee of $20 will be charged for each subsequent test. If you fail the road test four times, you must complete at least six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a licensed instructor before taking the test again.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 6revisor.mn.gov“A one-week practice period is required after the first failure of a completed road test.”“A two-week practice period is required after the second, third, or fourth failure of a completed road test.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 7revisor.mn.gov“Any type of road or skills test may be attempted just once per day by an applicant, except in the case of an incomplete test.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Didn’t pass? What to do next, including the Minnesota permit (knowledge) test retake rules.
New Class D drivers all test with a DVS examiner. Drivers moving from another U.S. state, territory or Canada with a valid unexpired license don't take the road test; drivers from other countries do. Official source 1assets.dps.mn.gov“You are not required to take a written test or road test if you present a valid, unexpired driver's license.”“If you are moving to Minnesota from a country other than the U.S. or Canada, you must pass a written test, a vision test and a road test even if you have a valid license from your former country.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 8revisor.mn.gov“the commissioner may waive the requirement that an applicant for a Minnesota driver's license demonstrate the ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle if the commissioner determines the applicant possesses a valid driver's license issued by a state that requires an equivalent demonstration”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
The Minnesota Class D road test is given by a DVS driver examiner at an exam station, by appointment, in a vehicle you supply. It has three parts: a vehicle safety equipment demonstration, vehicle control skills (such as parallel parking, hill parking and a 90-degree backing maneuver) and an on-street driving test. Points are deducted for errors; you fail with more than 20 points deducted, more than three perceived-risk errors, or any immediate-fail event. Maneuvers covered by official sources: Vehicle safety equipment demonstration, Parallel parking, Parking on a hill, 90-degree backing maneuver, Left turns, Right turns, Lane use and lane changes, Intersections, signs and signals.
Scored by point values assigned to specific maneuvers, plus perceived-risk errors. Fail with more than 20 points deducted or more than three perceived-risk errors. Missing three or more items of the equipment demonstration ends the test immediately. Per-item point values are not published.
Official Minnesota sources list these as automatic failures: Missing three or more items of the equipment demonstration (test stopped); A preventable crash, including touching another vehicle, a pedestrian, a fixed object or a parking flag; A traffic violation you could be ticketed or arrested for; Driving over a curb or onto a sidewalk; Forcing another driver or pedestrian to react to avoid a crash; Inability to control the vehicle, or needing the examiner to take control or help; Stopping on a railroad track; Driving in, or turning from, the wrong lane where lanes are clearly marked; Not cooperating with the examiner or refusing a maneuver; and Test can't be finished because of vehicle failure, illness or weather (including a vehicle stuck in snow).
Valid instruction permit; Current proof of insurance (original card or policy); Under 18: supervised driving log and the 'White Card' certificate of driver education completion; A licensed driver to accompany you; Your own vehicle (no NEVs; if rented, you must be listed on the rental agreement); and Online pre-application completed within 30 days of the appointment.
Insured and registered (current or 60-day permit); Front doors open from inside and outside; Working seat belts, turn signals and brake lights, headlights and taillights; No dangerous defects (glass blocking vision, damaged tires, missing front bumper, steering play, exhaust leaks, poor brakes); Clean, smoke-free interior; no loose objects or pets; and Parking assist may not be used for parallel parking; a backup camera may not be your only way of looking.
Under 18: hold the instruction permit at least six months with no moving or alcohol/drug convictions, and have finished classroom and behind-the-wheel driver education. Age 18: hold the permit 180 days. Age 19 and older: hold it 90 days. Bring a licensed driver with you.
One road test per day. After a failure you must complete an assigned practice period: one week after the first failure and two weeks after the second, third or fourth. After two failures each further test costs $20. After four failures you must take six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction before testing again.
New Class D drivers all test with a DVS examiner. Drivers moving from another U.S. state, territory or Canada with a valid unexpired license don't take the road test; drivers from other countries do.
No examiner score sheet or per-item point values are published. Pass and fail rules come from Minnesota Rules 7410.5300 to 7410.5360. DVS says the skills tested vary by location and examiner but may include hill parking, parallel parking, one-way roads and road signs; the manual lists parallel parking, hill parking and the 90-degree backing maneuver as evaluated skills. A first equipment-demonstration failure does not count as a road test failure. Winter tests may be delayed until streets and test areas are clear.
Every fact above links to one of these official pages. Checked October 4, 2026.
This guide summarizes official Minnesota sources for study. It is not the test itself, and only a DVS examiner (or a tester the state licenses) can pass or fail you. Rules change; confirm with Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services Division before test day.