SF4435 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Persons under 21 years of age to complete driver education course before obtaining a driver's license requirement
Related bill: HF3988
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill would require people under 21 to complete a driver education program (classroom instruction plus behind-the-wheel training) before they can obtain a driver’s license. It updates eligibility and training requirements for younger drivers to improve safety on Minnesota roads.
Main provisions
- Driver education requirement
- Any person 20 years old or younger who has not completed a driver education program that includes both classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training may not be issued a license.
- Under-18 eligibility and prerequisites
- For applicants aged 16 or 17:
- They must either already hold a valid license from another state/country or have held a provisional license for the 12 months prior to applying, with specific driving record conditions (no certain violations, limited non-crash moving violations, etc.).
- The license can be approved only with consent from a parent or guardian (or other qualified approval if needed, such as a guardian, foster parent, or program director in some cases).
- The applicant must show they have driven a motor vehicle with supervision by a licensed driver at least 21 years old for at least 10 hours during the provisional licensure period.
- General permit and license timing
- 18 or younger: must have held an appropriate instruction permit for at least 6 months and a provisional license for at least 12 months.
- 19 or older: must have held an instruction permit for at least 3 months.
- Other eligibility safeguards and requirements
- Disqualifications can apply for suspended or revoked licenses (with required proof of financial responsibility where applicable), drug dependency, certain mental health conditions, and inability to read/understand official signs.
- Applicants must pass required vision, knowledge, and road examinations; if they fail four road tests, they must receive at least six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction before retaking the road test.
- Additional restrictions apply to individuals who are currently required to provide proof of financial responsibility under the Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act.
- If the commissioner believes operation of a motor vehicle would be unsafe, or if the person has a disability that impairs safe driving, the license can be denied.
- Other licensing conditions
- The bill retains existing medical, safety, and licensing standards (e.g., vision, knowledge, and road tests) and adds the education mandate for younger applicants.
Significant changes to existing law
- Adds a mandatory driver education program (classroom plus behind-the-wheel) for individuals up to age 21 before licensing.
- Introduces explicit supervision requirements (minimum 10 hours with a licensed driver age 21+) for those with provisional licenses.
- Tightens early licensing eligibility with longer provisional periods for younger drivers (e.g., 12-month provisional license for under-18 applicants, plus specific permit durations).
- Strengthens eligibility screening and parental/guardian involvement, including verification of age and identity for approvals.
- Adds a discretionary pathway for behind-the-wheel instruction when road tests are failed multiple times.
- Maintains broader prohibitions and disqualifications related to safety, health, and financial responsibility but ties them into the under-21 licensing pathway.
Relevant Terms driver education program; behind-the-wheel training; classroom instruction; provisional license; instruction permit; supervised driving; licensed driver 21 years or older; 10 hours; parental consent; guardian; financial responsibility; No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act; vision examination; knowledge examination; road test; road tests failed; six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction; under 21 licensing; under-18 eligibility; 6-month permit minimum; 12-month provisional license; suspension; revocation; driving record; crash-related violations; driving restrictions.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Upcoming committee meetings
- Transportation on: March 16, 2026 15:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 12, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 12, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Transportation |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Under-21 driver education requirement: applicants 20 years of age or younger must complete a driver education program that includes both classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training before being issued a license.",
"After a driver test, if an applicant fails four road tests, the applicant must complete a minimum of six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with an approved instructor before retaking the road test."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 171.04, subdivision 1 to address licensing for minors, including a new requirement that persons under 21 must complete a driver education program before obtaining a driver's license. The text also preserves existing eligibility rules for younger drivers and adds a condition related to behind-the-wheel instruction when road tests are failed.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.04",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Uses 169A.20 to define disqualifications applicable to under-18 license applicants."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references section 169A.20 as part of the disqualification criteria for certain minor license applicants, contributing to the set of offenses/conditions that can bar licensure for individuals under 18.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169A.20",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Uses 169A.33 as a basis to deny or restrict licensure for certain under-18 applicants."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references section 169A.33 to establish disqualification criteria tied to license eligibility for minors.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169A.33",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Uses 169A.35 as a basis to deny or restrict licensure for certain under-18 applicants."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references section 169A.35 as part of the framework for licensing eligibility, contributing to disqualification criteria for minors.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169A.35",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Uses 169A.50-169A.53 as part of the set of disqualifications for under-18 applicants."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references sections 169A.50 through 169A.53 to define disqualifications for minor license applicants, incorporating multiple related offenses/conditions into licensing eligibility.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169A.50 to 169A.53",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Uses 171.177 to inform licensing eligibility criteria for minors."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references section 171.177 as part of the framework for license eligibility or related provisions, tying additional conditions to licensure.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.177",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Allows denial of driving privileges in accordance with a court order under 260C.201, subd. 1."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references section 260C.201, subdivision 1 (court-ordered denial of driving privileges) to support denial of driving privileges for a child while such denial is in effect.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260C.201",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Allows denial of driving privileges consistent with a court order under 260B.235, subd. 5."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references section 260B.235, subdivision 5 (court-ordered denial of driving privileges for a child) to enforce driving-privilege denial until the designated period is completed.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260B.235",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee