4 Sessions Each Year: Mid-March, Early June, Early August, and Late October-November
DRIVERS EDUCATION
ABOUT THE COURSE
LOCATION
PHS Health Classroom, #122
COST
$250 – Classroom Instruction (30 hours ) & Behind the Wheel (6 hours)
$200 – Behind the Wheel Training ONLY
$200 – Classroom Instruction ONLY
INSTRUCTOR
John Kostynick
TESTING SITES INFORMATION
The following information is locations, telephone numbers, and times where testing can be taken for your permit and your driver’s license. Website: https://www.mndriveinfo.org/
- Motor Vehicle Registration at the DOT Bldg
- 1000 Hwy 10 West (by Perkins)
- 218-846-8270
- Mondays – Fridays
- Permit Test times: 8:15-11:15am, 1-3:15 pm
- License testing: Monday – Wednesday by appointment only
- Motor Vehicle Registration at the Wadena Armory
- 218-631-2887
- Wednesdays
- Permit test times: 9-11am, and 1-3pm
- License testing: by appointment only
- Motor Vehicle Registration, Dept of Public Safety
- Located in the National Guard Armory
- 421 Cecil Avenue
- 218-739-7600
- Mondays and Tuesdays
- Permit test times: 9-11:15 am and 1-3:15 pm
- License testing: by appointment only
PARENT INFORMATIONAL MEETING
A parent/guardian must attend this meeting – a past meeting does not apply. If a parent/guardian attends the 90 minute meeting, the number of supervised driving hours decreases from 50 to 40 hours.
BEHIND THE WHEEL INSTRUCTORS
John McEachran – 218.346.3939
Denise Lillis – 218.346.3336
Sheri Siira – 218.298.0107
Please Note: Instructors reserve the right to change class dates and times as student numbers and unforeseen events dictate.
STEP BY STEP PROCESS
1. Sign Up for Classroom Course
- Registration for the course is available online or through the Community Education Office at 218.346.4503. Paper forms are also available. Call for more info.
- Before you sign up, please make sure you are available for all dates of the course. [MN State law requires 30 hours of classroom instruction, so it is necessary for you to attend every class in order for you to receive your Blue Card.]
- The course is limited to 30 students and will be filled based on the 30 oldest students (by birth date).
- All students will be notified via email of their enrollment. Those not making the current class will automatically be moved to the next class. Checks will be held until the student is actively enrolled.
2. Take the Classroom Course
- Attendance is mandatory for all classes. Please make sure to be present for each session.
- Upon completion of the course, the student will receive a Blue Card.
3. Take the Permit Test
- The student will now need to take the written permit test. The closest locations are Detroit Lakes, Wadena, and Fergus Falls (see above for more info).
- You will need to bring:
- Two forms of ID (details listed in the Drivers Manual): Most common are Social
- Security card and certified copy of Birth Certificate. [Hospital Birth Certificates are not accepted.]
- Blue Card from completion of course.
- It is recommended that students take the test as soon as possible following the classroom instruction. Students must hold their permit for 6 months prior to their Road Test.
4. Sign Up for Behind the Wheel (BTW) Instruction
- After the student has passed their Permit Test, you will need to contact the Community Education Office.
- We will put the student on the BTW list according to date of birth.
5. Complete Behind the Wheel Hours
- MN State Law requires drivers to have six hours of BTW training with a certified instructor.
- The BTW instructors will contact students when they may begin this phase of training. Together, they will set up times to get together for driving instruction.
- If you are unable to drive with your instructor at the appointed time, you must call the night before to cancel. If you do not call ahead of time, you will be charged your instructor’s salary. You will not be scheduled again until it has been paid, and it will be at the instructor’s convenience.
- Upon completion of the BTW hours, the student will receive a White Card that will be taken to the Road Test.
6. Schedule & Take the Road Test
- After you are finished with all of the training, you are free to make an appointment on or after the student’s 16th birthday.
- You will need the student’s permit number (under their picture) when making appointment.
- The day of your test, bring your BTW White Card with to confirm that you finished training.
MORE PRACTICE FOR TEENS
To take the road test, teen drivers under 18 must spend at least 50 supervised hours behind the wheel – 15 of which are at night – with a parent or guardian. If a parent/guardian attends the 90 minute parent meeting, the required hours decreases from 50 to 40.
SUPERVISED DRIVING LOG
Every driver under the age of 18 who has completed BTW Training and is testing for a provisional driver’s license must submit a driving log showing the dates and lengths of drive time for each supervised trip. The supervised driving log must be signed by a parent or guardian.