Driver Ed FAQ

Yes! Osakis Area Driving School is always looking to add members to our team! If you are passionate about keeping our roads safe and want to create your own work schedule, being an instructor might be for you!

You will need to provide two forms if identification (a full list can be found in the Minnesota Driving Manual) and a blue card provided by the driving school you have registered with for behind-the-wheel.

All sales are final. No refunds will be issued for any reason, including but not limited to the following list.

• Failure for any reason to schedule behind-the-wheel sessions within one year.
• Failure to attend class within one year.
• Failure to make up missed days of class within one year.
• You have decided to go to another provider to complete your driver's education.
• You allowed the contract to expire without completing classroom or behind-the-wheel instruction.
• In the event of expulsion.

Yes, Osakis Area Driving School is fully licensed, insured, and bonded by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.  Our instructors undergo rigorous training and background checks to ensure they provide the highest quality instruction to our students.

No. You may only practice driving after receiving your instructional permit; the blue card is not yours. The blue card is a certificate of completion that indicates to the examiner that you have completed the required 30 hours of classroom education and are enrolled for behind-the-wheel instruction. When taking the written knowledge test, you must present the blue card to the examiner.

You must pass the written knowledge and vision screening tests, complete an application form, have your photo taken, and pay the appropriate fees before they issue your permit.

Classroom instruction is offered in Osakis, Melrose, Brandon, and Long Prairie. Behind-the-wheel lessons are offered in Osakis, Melrose, Sauk Centre, Brandon, Alexandria, and Long Prairie. 

Remember that you (the parent) hold the power! A parent can cancel the license of a minor under 18 at any time. If your young driver is constantly taking unnecessary risks or doing things that endanger themselves or others on the road, you may want to consider this option. Unfortunately, the state does not have a way of assessing attitudes and maturity when a student takes a driving test, but you (the parent) know your child very well. If s/he is not ready to drive, please consider the safety of your child and everyone else sharing the road. This is also a powerful tool that you can use to influence your young driver's behavior in other areas as well.

You will need your permit card, your White Card (obtained after the third driving lesson), your Supervised Driving Log, your vehicle insurance card, and your vehicle needs to be eligible for the test. Check your driver's manual for vehicle requirements. If you are under 18, your parents must sign the driver's license application to permit you to drive. The cost to apply for the driver's license is $17.25.

Permit: Another licensed driver 21 or older must be in the front passenger seat.

16-year-old with first license: For the first six months, only immediate family (parents and siblings) and one non-immediate family passenger may be in the car.

2nd six months of having a license: Only three non-immediate family passengers besides immediate family members.

You must complete:

• 30-Hour Driver Education Class
• 6 Hours of Behind-the-Wheel Instruction
• 50-Hour Supervised Driving Log

You do not need to hold your permit for six months before taking the road test

At the time of the road test, your parent or guardian must provide:

You must present:

• Certificate of Completion for the 30-Hour Driver Ed Class and Behind-the-Wheel Instruction (White Card)
• 50-Hour Supervised Driving Log
• Your Permit
• Proof of insurance for the Vehicle you are driving for the test

The farm work restriction can be removed after you have held your Restricted Farm Work License for six months and have turned 16. The restrictions will remain in effect until you apply to have them removed. For all rules, please read through the Minnesota Statutes: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/171.041

• Complete the 30-hour driver education class. Students must be 14 before they begin their first day of class. The Certificate of Completion will be given on the last day of class.

• Obtain a Blue Card. The Blue Card will be given by the driving school you register to do behind-the-wheel with and is needed, along with two forms of ID for the permit knowledge test.

• Take the permit knowledge test. Must be at least 15 years old, have two forms of identification, and a Blue Card. A legal guardian must accompany the student to the test. Sign up at a road exam station at: http://drive.mn.gov

• Apply for permit. Must pass an eye exam (bring glasses/contact lenses if needed).

• Complete a Supervised Driving Log. Begin practice driving and record hours on the official "Supervised Driving Log" sheet or "Road Ready" app. It is recommended students have at least 20 hours of supervised driving under their belt before starting behind-the-wheel instruction.

• Complete six hours of behind-the-wheel lessons and obtain your White Card. The White Card will be given after passing your last lesson.

• Sign up at a road exam station at: http://drive.mn.gov Exam dates open 30 days before turning 16. Farm permits must call 651-284-1234. You must be at least 16 years old (unless obtaining a farm permit) and have held a permit for a minimum of six months. Farm permits do not need to follow this rule, but must have a Supervised Driving Log and BTW completed. Must have Supervised Driving Log, White Card, permit, and insurance card for the vehicle being used during the road exam.

• Get your provisional license. This license has restrictions that can be found in the MN Driving Manual. This license will be held between the ages of 16-18. You must pass an eye exam (bring glasses/contacts if needed).

• Get a graduated llicense. All restrictions come off, and the license will be renewed every four years. You must pass an eye exam (bring glasses/contacts if needed).

When your child has finished the required 30 hours of classroom instruction, complete the Homeschool Driver's Education Affidavit and mail, email, or fax it to the Office of Driver Education. Upon receipt of your completed affidavit, a letter of completion will be sent to you. The letter of completion will not be sent more than 30 days before your child's 15th birthday. You must present this document to the behind-the-wheel instruction provider to obtain your student's Certificate of Enrollment (blue card). The blue card and a primary and secondary form of identification must be presented before taking the knowledge test. Your child must be at least 15 to take the knowledge test. Please refer to the Minnesota Driver's Manual for acceptable forms of identification. After your child has passed the knowledge test, he or she may apply for an instruction permit.

For more information, please visit: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/HomeSchoolMaterials.pdf

Due to offering in-person classes at the high schools, if your school district should cancel classes for the day, then our classes would also be canceled. We will contact you as soon as we communicate with the school district about when the make-up day will take place.

This is a common misunderstanding as it's much like any educational course. Sure, you may get the same diploma, certificate, etc. However, the quality of the education, depth of information, and retention of knowledge vary based on the program itself.  We try to go above and beyond the "average" because we believe in safety and know that every parent wants their teen to be a safe, responsible driver.  We understand this program is costly, but do you want to pay for the certificate or a quality education?

In addition to our great prices, flexability, safe vehicles, and excellent curriculim...drivers education is our passion. We understand that the #1 killer of teens is traffic related crashes, which acually take more teens then drugs, guns, suicide, and all other accidents combined. It is our mission to teach with that in mind.

Please bring a writing utensil and a notebook.

Students must complete 30 hours of classroom driver education. All absences must be made up during any other classes offered within one year. Students who miss more than six hours of classroom time must re-register and pay for another class.

You may have another student in the car for 10 or 15 minutes at the start or end of your lesson. This will only happen during the transition period between two back-to-back lessons. Otherwise, you will be the only student in the vehicle. 

Absolutely. We cannot take you on the road without a valid permit. If you have lost your permit, you should apply for a duplicate permit at any license center. Bring your identification, a parent or guardian, and $15.50. You do not need to retake the permit test. You cannot use the white application you got when applying for the permit because it is expired.

Should you show up to a driving lesson without a permit, you will be charged a "no show" fee of $50.

All driving lesson cancellations must be done before 24 hours of the scheduled start time. This will give other students enough time to pick up the time slot you no longer need. If a cancellation occurs within 24 hours of the start time, a $50 fee will be assessed to your account to cover the cost of the unfulfilled lesson. Once the fee is paid, you can resume your scheduling. 

Our philosophy is that young drivers must learn to drive in all driving conditions. Therefore, we do not cancel behind-the-wheel lessons unless the state recommends "No Travel" or your school district cancels classes for the day. While we find it very important that drivers learn in all weather conditions, we also want to be sure your child is safe.

No. As a state-approved driving school, our instructional vehicles are required to have an instructor brake and instructor rear-view mirror.  The cars must also meet the state's strict safety standards.

Our instructor has provided a GMC Terrain to use for the driving lessons. 

Yes. You will need to provide us with a copy of the 30-hour letter of completion issued by the driver's education program that provided your classroom education. We are required to maintain a copy of the letter of completion in our records.

Yes. We ask that there is at least 15-20 hours of Supervised Driving under the student's belt before starting the first session. We also ask that the last session be scheduled closer to the intended road exam schedule date. 

No. We ask that you get 15-20 hours in with a supervised adult before scheduling your behind-the-wheel. This ensures you get some of the basics of driving down before diving into some of the more complicated stuff with a licensed instructor. 

For your driving lesson, you should bring your valid learner's permit or driver's license, your voided blue card, comfortable driving shoes, and any required eyewear.