Minnesota Permit Practice Test

The Minnesota knowledge test

Passing score

32 of 40 (80%)

Practice test

40 questions

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) sets the passing score at 80%. The 40-question length comes from a 2021 report by Minnesota's Office of the Legislative Auditor; DVS's current pages give only the 80% pass mark. See the report.

Practice by topic

• Road SignsWhat signs mean and what to do when you see them
• Right-of-WayWho goes first at intersections, crosswalks and roundabouts
• Traffic SignalsLights, arrows and pedestrian signals
• Lanes & TurnsLane markings, turns, passing and merging
• Speed LimitsLimits and how to adjust your speed
• ParkingCurb colors, hills and where you can't park
• Safe DrivingFollowing distance, weather, night driving and sharing the road
• Alcohol & DrugsBlood alcohol limits, DUI rules and medication
• EmergenciesBreakdowns, emergency vehicles and railroad crossings
• License RulesPermits, restrictions for new drivers and points
• Insurance & CollisionsRequired coverage and what to do after a crash
• Phones & DistractionPhone rules and other distractions

Sample Minnesota practice questions

When may you cross the dashed double yellow lines into a reversible lane?

• Only after dark on weekdays
• When the signal over it shows a green arrow
• Whenever traffic in it looks light

Show the answer

When the signal over it shows a green arrow

A sign that allows it also lets you enter.

Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, Reversible lanes, p. 71

After parallel parking on a level street, which way does the manual say to turn your front wheels?

• Toward the curb or shoulder
• Straight ahead, parallel to the curb
• Away from the curb

Show the answer

Toward the curb or shoulder

If the car slips out of park or the brakes fail, it rolls off the road instead of into traffic.

Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, Parking, p. 35

If no parent takes the parent class, how many supervised hours must a teen's driving log show?

• At least 50 hours
• At least 30 hours
• At least 60 hours
• At least 40 hours

Show the answer

At least 50 hours

The log needs 50 hours, 15 of them at night.

Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 1, Your provisional license, p. 14

A traffic officer raises a hand with the palm toward you and gives one long whistle blast. What does it mean?

• Go
• Turn right
• Stop

Show the answer

Stop

This is the usual stop signal. Follow an officer's signals over lights and signs.

Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, Traffic officers, p. 71

A U-turn on a curve is illegal if other drivers can't see you from how far away?

• 1,000 feet
• 200 feet
• 2,000 feet
• 500 feet

Show the answer

1,000 feet

The same rule applies near the top of a hill.

Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, U-turns, p. 33

A vehicle shows the slow-moving vehicle emblem. What is its top speed, by Minnesota's rule?

• 55 mph or less
• 15 mph or less
• 45 mph or less
• 30 mph or less

Show the answer

30 mph or less

Farm machinery and animal-drawn vehicles use the emblem, so adjust your speed early.

Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem, p. 61

At 55 mph, a car can stop in about 130 to 140 feet. How far may a loaded tractor-trailer need?

• About 200 feet
• Less than 100 feet
• More than 400 feet
• About the same distance

Show the answer

More than 400 feet

Leave large trucks plenty of room ahead of them.

Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 4, Following a commercial vehicle, p. 52

What kind of information do green signs give?

• Exits, distances and route names
• Nearby restaurants and motels
• Warnings about road work
• Traffic rules you must obey

Show the answer

Exits, distances and route names

They also mark interchanges and bicycle routes.

Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, Guidance and information signs, p. 65

Traffic is backing up before a lane closure. What does Minnesota's zipper merge ask you to do?

• Move over as soon as you see the lane-closed sign
• Use the shoulder to pass the line of cars
• Stay in your lane to the merge point, then take turns

Show the answer

Stay in your lane to the merge point, then take turns

Late merging in turns keeps both lanes moving and cuts backups.

Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 4, Late merge (zipper merge), p. 54

A 6-year-old has outgrown a forward-facing car seat. What must the child use?

• An adult's lap with a belt around both
• A seat belt alone, with no booster
• A booster seat with a seat belt

Show the answer

A booster seat with a seat belt

The booster is required from 4 to 9 once the child is too big for a car seat.

Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, Infant and child safety seat laws, p. 38

Take the full practice test

Next steps

• How to get your first driver's license in Minnesota
• Minnesota driver's license and ID card: first license, renewal, replacement and REAL ID
• Minnesota DMV offices, hours and services

About these questions

We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Minnesota Driver's Manual (June 2026 (cover), English PDF, read 2026-11-09. Page numbers cited are the manual's printed ones (PDF page = printed page + 3). Where the manual is silent, Minnesota Statutes and Rules on revisor.mn.gov are the source. edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.

DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.