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171.05 Instruction permits.

Subdivision 1. Persons 18 or more years of age. Any person who is 18 or more years of age and who, except for a lack of instruction in operating a motor vehicle, would otherwise be qualified to obtain a class D driver's license under this chapter, may apply for an instruction permit and the department shall issue such permit entitling the applicant, while having such permit in immediate possession, to drive a motor vehicle for which a class D license is valid upon the highways for a period of one year, but such person must be accompanied by an adult licensed driver who is actually occupying a seat beside the driver. Any license of a lower class may be used as an instruction permit for a higher class for a period of six months after passage of the written test or tests required for the higher class and when the licensee is accompanied by and receiving instruction from a holder of the appropriate higher class license. A copy of the record of examination taken for the higher class license must be carried by the driver while using such lower class license as an instruction permit.

Subd. 2. Persons less than 18 years of age. Notwithstanding any provision in subdivision 1 to the contrary, the department, upon application therefor, may issue an instruction permit to an applicant who is 15, 16, or 17 years of age and who is enrolled in an approved driver education program including behind the wheel training. Such an instruction permit holder who has the permit in possession may operate a motor vehicle while receiving behind the wheel training in an approved driver education program, but only when accompanied by an authorized instructor who occupies the seat beside the permit holder. During and upon completion of the course, a 16 or 17 year old may operate a motor vehicle while accompanied by an adult licensed driver who is actually occupying a seat beside the driver. During and upon completion of the course, a 15 year old may operate a motor vehicle while accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian or licensed adult driver authorized by the parent or guardian who also must occupy the seat beside the instruction permit holder.

Subd. 2a. Permit for six months. (a) An applicant who has applied for and received an instruction permit pursuant to subdivision 2 must possess the instruction permit for not less than six months before qualifying for a driver's license.

(b) Until May 31, 1999, the commissioner may waive the six-month requirement of this subdivision for an applicant for a class D driver's license if:

(1) at least six months has elapsed since the applicant successfully completed the written examination requirement of the approved driver education program pursuant to subdivision 2; and

(2) the applicant subsequently obtained a permit and successfully completed all of the approved driver education program requirements before applying for the class D driver's license.

This paragraph is effective June 4, 1997, and expires June 1, 1999.

Subd. 3. Motorized bicycles. Notwithstanding any provision in subdivision 1 to the contrary, the department, upon application and payment of the fee prescribed in section 171.02, subdivision 3, may issue a motorized bicycle instruction permit to an applicant who is 15 years of age and who has successfully completed the written portion of the examination prescribed by the commissioner. The holder of this instruction permit who has the permit in possession may operate a motorized bicycle within one mile of the holder's residence for the purpose of practicing to take the operator portion of the examination prescribed by the commissioner.

HIST: (2720-144b) 1939 c 401 s 5; 1949 c 91 s 1; 1961 c 33 s 1; 1963 c 382 s 2; 1971 c 644 s 7; 1973 c 95 s 1; 1980 c 446 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1986 c 454 s 22; 1987 c 384 art 1 s 19; 1990 c 529 s 6,7; 1996 c 275 s 4; 1996 c 455 art 3 s 25; 1997 c 250 s 8

* NOTE: Subdivision 2a, as added by Laws 1996, chapter 455, *article 3, section 25, is effective February 1, 1997. Laws *1996, chapter 455, article 3, section 35.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes