Class D written knowledge test
Minnesota Permit Practice Test
300 free questions written from the official handbook, each with an explanation and the page it comes from.
- From the official Minnesota handbook
- Every answer cites its page
- Checked November 4, 2026
The real test at a glance
- Time limit
- no limit at a DVS exam station; 40 minutes at a third-party proctorsource
- Languages
- English, ASL, Somali, Hmong, Russian, Vietnamese, Karen, Spanish; verbal exam with own licensed interpreter for other languagessource
- Where you take it
- in person: DVS exam station (appointment required) or approved third-party proctor (e.g. driver ed); no at-home online test foundsource
- Minimum permit age
- 15 (with 30 hours classroom driver ed and enrolled in behind-the-wheel) (under 18)source
- Road signs
- no - single written test covers laws and road signssource
- Permit fee
- 29.50 (Class D instruction permit, valid 2 years)source
Checked against official sources on November 4, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) before your test.
About the real test
What to expect on test day
Minnesota's Class D written knowledge test is one test that covers both traffic laws and road signs, and you need 80% to pass. Minnesota does not publish a fixed number of questions, so there is no full-length mock exam here; instead you can practice every topic the test covers. There is no time limit at a DVS exam station, and a third-party proctor allows 40 minutes. The test is offered in English, ASL, Somali, Hmong, Russian, Vietnamese, Karen and Spanish. If you are under 18, you can get an instruction permit at 15 after 30 hours of classroom driver education; the permit costs $29.50 and is valid for 2 years.
Every question here is written from the official Minnesota Driver's Manual and shows the page it comes from. Practice by topic or in mixed sets.
Practice by topic
Pick a topic to start
Start with a topic you're unsure of. Mixed sets work better once you've seen each topic.
- Instruction permit, GDL and license withdrawalInstruction permit and provisional license rules, night and passenger limits, Vanessa's Law, license classes, suspension, revocation and cancellation.21 questions
- Vehicle equipment, insurance and loadsRequired equipment, lights, mirrors, tires, windows, insurance and trailer and load rules.17 questions
- Speed limits and following distanceSpeed limits and special zones, fines, reduced speed, the three-second rule and stopping distance.20 questions
- Turns, roundabouts, stopping and right-of-waySignaling, turns and turns on red, roundabouts, J-turns and U-turns, stopping rules, yielding and railroad crossings.30 questions
- Lanes, passing and freewaysChanging lanes, right-lane travel, passing, work zones and the zipper merge, freeway entering, interchanges and exits.21 questions
- Backing and parkingBacking up, parking rules, parking on a hill, parallel and highway parking.13 questions
- Seat belts, children, phones and distractionSeat belt and child seat laws, unattended children and animals, airbags, cell phone law, distracted and aggressive driving.23 questions
- Sharing the roadSchool buses, emergency vehicles, traffic stops, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, vulnerable road users, NEVs and commercial vehicles.30 questions
- Road signsSign colors and shapes, regulatory, warning, construction, service and route signs.45 questions
- Traffic signalsSteady and flashing lights and arrows, pedestrian signals, lane-use signals and ramp meters.15 questions
- Pavement markings and special lanesWhite and yellow lines, turn lanes, center turn lanes, reversible and carpool lanes.12 questions
- Conditions, emergencies and crashesScanning, night driving, crashes, winter driving, skids, rain, fog, hydroplaning, vehicle failures, deer, floods and carbon monoxide.29 questions
- Alcohol, drugs and DWIEffects of alcohol and drugs, DWI and implied consent, penalties, ignition interlock, underage no-tolerance, cannabis and open containers.24 questions
learned (right 3 times on different days) seen
Try a few
Sample Minnesota permit test questions
Open a question to see the answer, why, and the handbook page.
1.How much moving water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups?
- A6 inches
- B4 feet
- C1 foot
- D2 feet
Show the answer
✓ D. 2 feet
Two feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups; never drive into a flooded road.
2.How far behind a firefighting vehicle must you stay?
- AAt least 200 feet
- BAt least 100 feet
- CAt least 500 feet
- DAt least 300 feet
Show the answer
✓ C. At least 500 feet
Stay at least 500 feet back from any firefighting vehicle.
3.A lane-use signal over your lane shows a steady red X. What does it mean?
- AThe lane will open soon
- BThe lane is for left turns
- CYou cannot drive in that lane
- DYou may use the lane with care
Show the answer
✓ C. You cannot drive in that lane
A steady red X over a lane means you cannot drive in that lane.
4.A road has a center lane marked for left turns only. Who may use it?
- AEither direction, only to turn left
- BOnly drivers going north or east
- COnly buses and emergency vehicles
- DAny driver who wants to pass
Show the answer
✓ A. Either direction, only to turn left
A center left-turn lane is shared by traffic from both directions and may be used only for making left turns.
5.On a road posted at 45 mph, how far before stopping does a school bus turn on its flashing yellow lights?
- AAt least 1,000 feet
- BAt least 50 feet
- CAt least 100 feet
- DAt least 300 feet
Show the answer
✓ D. At least 300 feet
In speed zones over 35 mph, bus drivers turn on flashing yellow lights at least 300 feet before stopping; in zones of 35 mph or less, at least 100 feet.
6.Your left-turn green arrow comes on, but a pedestrian is still crossing in your path. What should you do?
- AYield to the pedestrian, then turn
- BHonk so the pedestrian hurries
- CTurn, because the arrow protects you
- DWait for the next full green light
Show the answer
✓ A. Yield to the pedestrian, then turn
Even with a green arrow, yield to vehicles or pedestrians already in the intersection, then continue in the direction of the arrow.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How many questions are on the Minnesota permit test?
The state doesn't publish the number of questions or the passing score on its official site, so check with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) before your test. Practice until you get at least 80% of new questions right.
Is there a time limit?
no limit at a DVS exam station; 40 minutes at a third-party proctor. (Source: official Minnesota page, checked November 4, 2026.)
What languages is the test offered in?
English, ASL, Somali, Hmong, Russian, Vietnamese, Karen, Spanish; verbal exam with own licensed interpreter for other languages. (Source: official Minnesota page, checked November 2, 2026.)
Can I take the test online?
in person: DVS exam station (appointment required) or approved third-party proctor (e.g. driver ed); no at-home online test found. (Source: official Minnesota page, checked November 2, 2026.)
How old do I have to be to get a permit?
15 (with 30 hours classroom driver ed and enrolled in behind-the-wheel) (under 18). (Source: official Minnesota page, checked November 2, 2026.)
Are these the real test questions?
No. Nobody can legally offer the real questions. We write our own questions from the official Minnesota Driver's Manual, and each one shows the handbook page it's based on, so you learn the rules the real test is built from.