5 Steps to a Driver's License

• Student must complete 30 hours of classroom instruction.
• Optional Parent/Guardian and Student Meeting: Both the student and parent/guardian must attend this meeting to be eligible to log 40 hours rather than 50 hours of supervised driving.
• A Certificate of Completion will be issued to families who attend the Optional Parent/Guardian and Student Meeting and will be given to parent/guardian when the student presents the items required in Step 4 below.

The BLUE CARD allows students to take the Knowledge (Permit) Test. 

• Students who are 15 years old or older during the class are eligible to receive their BLUE CARD at the end of the class. 
• Students who turn 15 years old after the class, will pick up their BLUE CARD on or after their 15th birthday at the Community Education Office, 60 Central Ave. W, St. Michael (Door B). 
• Go online to drive.mn.gov to schedule the Class D Knowledge Test. If assistance is needed to schedule an appointment call (651) 284-1234
• Go to the Department of Public Safety (Driver and Vehicle Services) exam station to take the Class D Knowledge (Permit) Test. 

Written Test (Knowledge Test) must be taken to receive the “Instruction Permit.”

• Student must be 15 years old or older to take the written test at the Department of Vehicle Services (DVS).
• Student must wait at least three (3) business days after completing 30 hours of classroom instruction before taking the Written Test. Within the three (3) days, Community Education Department (CE) will upload student information on to the State of Minnesota’s, Department of Public Safety’s website.
• Select: DVS exam station to schedule the written test.  This replaces the “BLUE CARD” documentation that was used in previous years. No physical “BLUE CARD”will be generated.
  • View the information under “You can get a driver’s license in three phases.”
    • Phase I – Instruction Permit: describes where you can schedule an appointment date, time,and location to take the written test.
• If parent/guardian and student need assistance in scheduling an appointment or have questions, call(651)284-1234.

• The State of Minnesota requires six (6) hours of instructor led “Behind the Wheel” Training for students under 18 years old.
• Email: stmabtw@gmail.com to schedule BTW Training with Connie Peters, (BTW Coordinator/Scheduler).
• A valid licensed parent/guardian supervises the student in practice driving.
  • Student is given a BTW Supervised Driving Log during the classroom course. This log is to be used by parent/guardian and student to record behind the wheel hours required by the State of MN.
  • For a free electronic version of the “BTW Supervised Driving Log,” log on to or type the following into your browser search: https://www.roadreadyapp.com.
• Unprepared Student Fee: Additional BTW fees will be charged if student does not have their Instruction Permit, is late, misses lesson(s), and/or cancels lesson(s) less than 48 hours in advance.
  • The Unprepared Fee is $60, and
  • Fees increase substantially for each unprepared lesson and must be paid before continuing BTW Instruction.

The WHITE CARD is required to take the Skills (Road) Test for the Provisional Permit.

Student should pick up the WHITE CARD from the Community Education Office (Door B), after completing six hours of Behind the Wheel with the driving instructor. A CERTIFICATE of COMPLETION will also be given out at this time if a Parent/Student Meeting was attended.

Student must bring their INSTRUCTION PERMIT and the STMA #885 Behind-the-Wheel Evaluation (BTW Instructor(s)' Proof of Completing BTW Training)  to the Community Education Office when picking up the White Card. Student signs the White Card in front of Community Education staff. Student will be asked the name of their Behind the Wheel instructor and the date the six hours of instruction were completed.

Student brings Instruction Permit and BTW Instructor(s)’ Proof of Completing BTW to Community Education Department

• After completing the six (6) hours of required Behind the Wheel (BTW) Training with BTW Instructor(s), the student must bring their INSTRUCTION PERMIT and the BTW Instructor(s)’ Proof of Completing BTW to the Community Education Office; located at 60 Central Avenue West, St. Michael, MN (Door B).
  • Student will be asked the date they completed BTW and the name of their BTW Instructor(s).
• Parent/Guardian and Student will be given the Certificate of Completion if Parent/Guardian and Student attended the Optional Parent/Guardian and Student Meeting described in Step 1 above.
• The CE Office will upload the Instruction Permit Number, date student completed BTW, name of instructorand date student presented documents to CE Staff on the State of MN’s, Department of Public Safety’s website within three (3) business days after the student has presented these documents to the Community Education Department.
• This replaces the “WHITE CARD” documentation that was used in previous years. No physical “WHITECARD” will not be generated.

For the Provisional License (Road Test), schedule your road test by selecting the link below; or, call 651-284-1234 for scheduling assistance and questions.

• To find out more information about obtaining a Provisional License: select this link: Provisional License (or, type in your browser’s search https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/license-and-id/class-d-regular-dl/class-d-dl-new-driver-under-age-18).
• Student must wait at least three (3) business days after completing Step 4 above before scheduling the road test.
• On the day of student’s Road Test, student must bring their Instruction Permit, Certificate of Completion (Parent/Guardian and Student Meeting received by completing Step 4 above), Driver's Log, proof of vehicle insurance and know or bring their Social Security Number.