Minnesota Graduated Driver’s License law

To minimize risks of crashes, injury or death, Minnesota’s Graduated Driver’s Licensing law helps teens hone their driving skills during the first year of licensure by reducing exposure to high-risk situations such as carrying teen passengers and driving at night. Violating these laws is a misdemeanor.

These laws apply only to newly licensed teen drivers for the first six to twelve months, or until they reach age 18.

Nighttime driving limitation

For the first six months of licensure: Driving is prohibited midnight – 5 a.m.

Exemptions: Driving when accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older; driving between home and place of employment; driving to/from home and a school event for which the school has not provided transportation; driving for employment purposes.

The nighttime limitation is lifted after the first six months of licensure.

Passenger limitations

For the first six months of licensure: Only one passenger under age 20 is permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For the second six months of licensure: No more than three passengers under age 20 are permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Exemption: Passengers under age 20 who are members of the teen driver’s immediate family are permitted.

Seat belt use

Minnesota’s seat belt law is a primary offense, meaning drivers and passengers of any age and in all seating positions must be buckled up or in a correct child restraint. Law enforcement will stop and ticket unbelted motorists or passengers. A seat belt ticket can cost more than $100.

Cell phone use and texting

It is illegal for drivers under age 18 to use a cell phone, whether hand-held or hands-free – except to call 911 in an emergency. It is also illegal for drivers of all ages to compose or read text messages and e-mails, or access the Internet using a wireless device while the vehicle is in motion, in traffic, or at a stop sign or red light.

Drinking and driving

It is illegal for a person under age 21 to drive after consuming any amount of alcohol. Drivers under the legal drinking age with an alcohol-concentration of 0.08 or higher will face regular DWI laws and sanctions.

Consequences for underage drinking and driving include loss of license for at least 30 days and court fines.

Teen drivers with provisional licenses whose driving privileges are revoked from a crash or alcohol-controlled/substance-related violation cannot regain driving privileges until age 18.