Drivers License
Some students may choose to drive during their studies. If you plan to drive or purchase a car in Minnesota, here are important steps to take:
Driver's Licenses
If you plan to drive in Minnesota, you must have a valid Minnesota driver's license. Minnesota law permits a nonresident to drive with their home country's driver's license for up to 60 days upon moving to the state.
International Driving Permit
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a driver's license. It simply verifies that you hold a valid driver's license from your home country. While an IDP is not required to drive in Minnesota, it can be useful because it translates your foreign driver's license into several languages. This can be helpful if a police officer is unable to read your foreign license.
Important: If your foreign driver's license is not in English and you are unable to obtain an IDP, you may want to carry a Minnesota Certified Translation from a licensed translator.
You must switch to a Minnesota driver's license within 60 days of establishing temporary residency in the state.
Students with valid unexpired US license:
If you are 21 or older and have a valid, unexpired license from another U.S. state, certain territories, or Canada, you can obtain a Minnesota driver's license by completing the application and a vision check. You do not need to take a skills (road) test unless your license has been expired for more than one year.
Students without a valid unexpired US license:
If you have moved to Minnesota from a country other than Canada, you must pass a knowledge test, a skills test, and a vision check, even if you have a valid driver's license from your home country. You can find the New Resident requirements on the MN DVS website.
You will apply for a Class D license. The first step is to prepare for the written test and road skill exam by studying the Minnesota Driver's Manual.
You will schedule your knowledge and skills exams and can pre-apply for a license on the MN DVS website. Once you pass your written and skills exams you will apply for the driver’s license itself. You will submit your documents at a MN DVS office and they will mail your driver’s license to you once it’s ready. You must present two primary documents or one primary and one secondary document. Please check the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services website to find out what identification documents you can present as primary and secondary documents.
Driver's License Renewal
If your license contains a "Status Check" date, this reflects the expiration of your immigration documents (e.g., I-20/DS-2019/I-797). You must renew your license before the “status check” by presenting a new or extended immigration document, but are eligible for Drivers License for All (which means that you will be able to renew by presenting two primary and one secondary document from the list).
If your license does not contain a "Status Check" date, you can renew your license using the identification requirements outlined on the Driver and Vehicle Services website.
Obtaining a Driver’s License
There are two types of driver’s licenses available in Minnesota for international students: Standard Drivers License for All and Real ID. Deciding which type of license is the best option for you depends on what you will use the card for. You can find additional information on the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (MN DVS) website.
Every driver must become familiar with the Minnesota Driver’s Manual. This covers traffic and safety rules, laws, rules of the road, allowable speed limits, and road signs and symbols.
Operator’s Licenses may be obtained by passing a written examination on Minnesota driving laws and a driving test on the road. Application for a new driver’s license or a renewal of a driver’s license can be made at a Minnesota state office location.
Instruction Permit
Before you can secure a Minnesota driver’s license, you must first obtain an Instruction Permit which is valid for one year from the date of application. Please see Instruction Permit Frequently Asked Questions.
- If you are 19 years of age or older, you must apply for and have a permit for at least three months before taking a road test. This includes applicants who can’t show proof of previously having a license or instruction permit.
- If you are 18 years of age or under, you must apply for and hold a Minnesota instruction permit for at least six months before taking a road test.
- When practicing with a permit, you must be accompanied by a licensed adult driver. If you are under 18, the supervising driver must be 21 years of age or older. If you are 18 or older, the supervising driver must be an adult of 18 years of age or older.
- You must carry your permit whenever you practice driving.
- Permits are renewable.
To obtain the Instruction Permit you must successfully pass the written exam. A fee will be charged once you pass your written test in order to send you an instruction permit.
Driver's Ed Instructors
Students can get private behind the wheel drivers ed instruction from professionals at the Morris Area High School. It is $75 per hour, and the instructor provides the vehicle and prepares you for the driving test. To reserve a lesson with a private Driver's Ed instructor call the Morris High School at 320-589-4400 and dial extension 2223 to speak to Jeannie who can arrange the payment and reservation with an instructor.
Written Exam
Cell phones will not be allowed during the exam.
To take the Minnesota Class D knowledge exam, you need to schedule an appointment or take the test online. Appointments can be made at a Minnesota state office location.
Please bring with you the following:
More detailed list of proper identification as identified by the state
Road Test
Before you take the road test, make sure you practice driving with someone who has a valid driver's license. Take the road test only when you and your instructor feel comfortable with your driving abilities. There will be a fee for your driver's license.
Schedule a road test.
Once scheduled, in Morris the driver’s written and behind-the-wheel tests are given at the Morris Community Center, 603 Oregon Ave., Morris MN 56267. The tests are given the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month.
Vehicle Registration
If you purchase a vehicle you will need to register your vehicle, pay a tax, and get your license plates and vehicle “tabs” (tabs are small stickers you put on your license plate that show how long your registration is valid for). You will request license plates once but you will need to renew your tabs every year. You can find more information about this on the DVS website. You are required to have car insurance to register your vehicle; see below for more information.
Car Insurance
In Minnesota, all vehicles must have liability insurance, which covers damages if you cause an accident where someone else is injured.
Additional Coverage:
- Collision Coverage: This protects your vehicle if it’s damaged by an uninsured motorist.
- Comprehensive Physical Damage Insurance: This covers your vehicle in cases of theft, flood, or fire.
Obtaining a Minnesota State ID
The Minnesota State ID is a form of picture identification in addition to your passport and your U Card. Either a state ID or driver's license is the standard form of identification for legal checks for financial transactions like banking or for age checks like when buying alcohol or tobacco.
International students are not required to obtain a state ID or a driver's license.
To get a state ID, go to a Hennepin County Service Center that issues first-time IDs. Any documents not in English must also have an English translation done by a licensed translator. Learn more on the Hennepin County website.