Minnesota permit test: distracted & drowsy driving

Phone and texting laws, other distractions and fatigue. 4 questions.

Question 1 of 4
Distracted & drowsy drivingMinnesota rule

You are 17 with a provisional license. When may you use a hands-free phone while driving?

Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.

Sample distracted & drowsy driving questions

  1. You are 17 with a provisional license. When may you use a hands-free phone while driving?

    • A Only when no passengers are in the car
    • B Whenever the phone is in hands-free mode
    • C Only when a parent is in the car
    • D Only to call 911 in an emergency
    Show answer

    D. Only to call 911 in an emergency

    Minnesota drivers under 18 with an instruction permit or provisional license may not use a cell phone at all, handheld or hands-free, except to call 911 in an emergency.

    Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, page 82

  2. You are an adult driver stopped in traffic at a red light. May you read a text message on your handheld phone?

    • A Yes, if the light has been red for a while
    • B Yes, if you only read and do not reply
    • C No, texting is illegal even while stopped in traffic
    • D Yes, the law applies only while the car is moving
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    C. No, texting is illegal even while stopped in traffic

    Minnesota bans using a phone to text, email or go online while driving, and that includes sitting stopped in traffic. Voice-activated or hands-free use is the legal option for adults.

    Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, page 82

  3. Which of these is illegal for a Minnesota driver?

    • A Using a GPS mounted low on the windshield
    • B Wearing earphones in both ears to listen to music
    • C Listening to the radio through the car speakers
    • D Talking to a passenger in the back seat
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    B. Wearing earphones in both ears to listen to music

    Minnesota law forbids wearing headphones or earphones in both ears at once to listen to a radio or other sound device. You need to hear horns, sirens and other traffic.

    Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, page 82

  4. A Minnesota driver is convicted a second time of breaking the hands-free cell phone law. What fine does the law set?

    • A A $50 fine
    • B A $500 fine and loss of license
    • C A 30-day license suspension
    • D A $275 fine
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    D. A $275 fine

    Minn. Stat. 169.475 sets a $275 fine for a second or later violation of the hands-free law. With court fees, the total is about $300 or more. A first offense costs about $100 or more with fees.

    Source: Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services Division website