Minnesota Administrative Rules

7411.0515 CURRICULUM FOR DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

Subpart 1.

Scope.

This part applies to all driver education programs.

Subp. 2.

Classroom curriculum for class D motor vehicles.

The classroom curriculum provided to each student enrolled in a program to operate a class D motor vehicle must include:

A.

opportunity for the student to analyze and assess several decision-making models and factors influencing highway-user decisions;

B.

information on how alcohol and other drugs affect a driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, including:

(1)

information on the effects of consumption of alcohol and the use of other drugs on the ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle;

(2)

the hazards of driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs; and

(3)

the legal penalties and financial consequences resulting from violations of laws prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs;

C.

opportunity for the student to analyze and practice making decisions about using occupant restraints;

D.

opportunity for the student to identify and analyze a variety of driving decisions about roadway characteristics and highway users, including awareness of and the safe interaction with:

(1)

vulnerable road users in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0701, subdivision 1b; and

(2)

commercial motor vehicles in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0701, subdivision 1, paragraph (b);

E.

opportunity for the student to analyze and practice making decisions about a vehicle's speed under different driving conditions;

F.

content and purpose of motor vehicle and traffic laws and rules for safe driving performance;

G.

opportunity for the student to identify, analyze, and describe proper procedures for a variety of driving situations;

H.

opportunity for the student to gather information and practice making decisions about vehicle ownership, leasing, insurance, and maintenance;

I.

opportunity for the student to identify, analyze, and practice making decisions related to drivers' attitudes and emotions;

J.

opportunity for the student to explore alternative ways to become a better driver;

K.

at least 30 minutes of instruction on the duties of the driver when encountering a school bus; the content and requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 169.444; and the penalties for violating that section;

L.

principles of safe operation of a motor vehicle at railroad-highway grade crossings;

M.

principles and relationships of tires and surfaces when turning, braking, and accelerating;

N.

characteristics of both conventional and antilock brake systems;

O.

instruction on organ and tissue donations in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0701, subdivision 1, paragraph (a);

P.

instruction on carbon monoxide poisoning in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0701, subdivision 1, paragraph (c); and

Q.

instruction on work zone and road construction worker safety in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0701, subdivision 1c, including information on:

(1)

work zones that move continuously or intermittently; and

(2)

the importance of buffer zones, closed lanes, and reduced speeds for protecting the safety of workers in a work zone.

Subp. 2a.

Concurrent classroom curriculum for class D motor vehicles.

The classroom curriculum provided to each student enrolled in the first 15 hours of a concurrent program to operate a class D motor vehicle must include the same curriculum required under subpart 2.

Subp. 2b.

[Repealed, 50 SR 809]

Subp. 3.

Laboratory curriculum for class D motor vehicles.

The laboratory curriculum presented and delivered to each student enrolled in a program for class D motor vehicles must include:

A.

orientation to the purpose, content, and procedures for laboratory instruction;

B.

orientation to gauges, instruments, and preparing to move the vehicle;

C.

basic skills in speed control and tracking on forward and backward paths;

D.

orientation to driving and initial techniques in scanning for, recognizing, and responding to obstacles;

E.

changing lanes, crossing intersections, merging, and passing;

F.

reduced-risk city driving, highway driving, freeway driving, and interacting with highway users;

G.

practical application of the classroom instruction on safe interaction with commercial motor vehicles described in subpart 2, item D;

H.

strategies for perceiving and responding to adverse and special conditions and emergencies; and

I.

a written evaluation, self-evaluation, and plan for future improvement.

Subp. 4.

Class A, B, or C motor vehicle curriculum.

The curriculum provided to each student enrolled in a program to operate a class A, B, or C motor vehicle must:

A.

specify the hours of instruction to be provided to the student;

B.

describe the content of all classroom and laboratory instruction for all courses and individualized instruction;

C.

specify the course fee or hourly rate for instruction; and

D.

include the instruction required under Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0701.

Subp. 5.

Motorcycle classroom curriculum.

The classroom curriculum provided to each student enrolled in a program for a motorcycle endorsement must comply with either item A or B.

A.

The classroom curriculum must be the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course and also address the provisions in Minnesota Statutes, section 169.974. The MSF Basic RiderCourse RiderCoach Guide, published by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (2008), is incorporated by reference and is not subject to frequent change. The manual is available through the interlibrary loan system or a copy may be obtained from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, 2 Jenner Street, Suite 150, Irvine, California, 92618-3806.

B.

The curriculum must address:

(1)

the purpose, content, and procedures for classroom instruction;

(2)

the location and operation of motorcycle controls and indicators;

(3)

the opportunity for students to identify, analyze, and practice making decisions about proper protective gear;

(4)

the procedures for starting, riding, and stopping a motorcycle;

(5)

the procedures for turning, changing gears, and using both brakes to stop a motorcycle;

(6)

the identification of basic riding strategies and preparation to ride safely in traffic;

(7)

the various methods used to reduce the risks of riding hazards;

(8)

the procedures for passing, controlling rear wheel skids, and nighttime riding;

(9)

preparation for handling unusual or emergency situations;

(10)

the opportunity for the student to gather information and practice making decisions about selecting and maintaining a motorcycle;

(11)

how alcohol and other drugs affect a driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, including:

(a)

information on the effects of the consumption of alcohol and the use of other drugs on the ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle;

(b)

information on the hazards of driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs; and

(c)

information on the legal penalties and financial consequences resulting from violations of laws prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs;

(12)

having the student's knowledge evaluated;

(13)

the duties of a driver when encountering a school bus; the content and requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 169.444; and the penalties for violating that section;

(14)

the principles of safe operation of vehicles at railroad-highway grade crossings; and

(15)

the instruction required under Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0701.

Subp. 6.

Motorcycle laboratory curriculum.

The laboratory curriculum presented for a driver education program for a motorcycle endorsement must meet the requirements in either item A or B.

A.

The laboratory curriculum must be based on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course, incorporated by reference in subpart 5, and also address the provisions in Minnesota Statutes, section 169.974.

B.

The curriculum must include:

(1)

orientation to the purpose, content, and procedures for laboratory instruction;

(2)

instruction in mounting, dismounting, starting, and stopping the engine;

(3)

instruction in moving the motorcycle;

(4)

instruction in understanding the friction zone;

(5)

instruction in riding in a straight line;

(6)

instruction in turning, which must include slow, tight turns and higher speed turns;

(7)

instruction in shifting;

(8)

instruction in braking, which must include braking technique for stopping in a straight line and in a curve, emergency straight-line braking, and emergency braking in a curve;

(9)

instruction in scanning techniques for recognizing and responding to hazards;

(10)

instruction in changing lanes;

(11)

instruction in counter-steering and changing lanes quickly; and

(12)

formal written skills evaluation, self-evaluation, and planning for future improvement.

Subp. 7.

Curriculum hours for motorized bicycles.

A.

The curriculum presented to each student enrolled in a motorized bicycle driver education program must include at least three hours of classroom instruction.

B.

The commissioner shall approve a course if the course content includes the subject items listed in Minnesota Statutes, section 171.02, subdivision 3.

Subp. 8.

Supplemental parental curriculum.

A program must provide optional supplemental parental curriculum in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0701, subdivision 1a. At least 90 minutes of the curriculum must include the information required under Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0701, subdivision 1a, paragraph (c), clause (3).

Statutory Authority:

MS s 14.06; 14.386; 14.388; 169.26; 169.446; 169.974; 171.02; 171.05; 171.055; 171.0701; 171.33 to 171.41; 299A.01

History:

28 SR 1167; 34 SR 767; 36 SR 436; 39 SR 356; 50 SR 809

Published Electronically:

April 2, 2026