Drivers Education for Teens
There have been some big changes to our Drivers' Education program at Blue Earth Area!
Beginning Fall 2022, all BEA 9th graders will be required to take Drivers' Ed (DE) in school, unless they have taken the classroom portion with another accredited DE program and can show proof of completion.
Community Ed will not be offering DE classes during the school year.
We will continue to offer a Summer Session class.
This new one-quarter school program will save families $150 for the classroom portion of DE. Once students have their learning permits, they can take their Behind-the-Wheel instruction with our DE Instructors. Students will still need to register through Community Ed for the Behind-the-Wheel portion of DE ($210).
Community Ed will continue to offer a summer DE class, for students older than 9th grade, for students who prefer not to take it in school for whatever reason, and for students who homeschool or attend a school without a DE program. The student's family will be responsible for the full DE fee if they choose this option. Dates are not set for our Summer 2023 class yet, but will be posted here as soon as we have them.
Summer Drivers' Education classes:
The $360 class fee includes 30 hours of classroom training ($150) and six hours of "behind-the-wheel" instruction ($210). Students may pay for the two fees separately. Students should register for the class closest to their 15th birthday. You may register online by clicking on the link below.
We know this can be confusing, so please call 526-3172 with questions; we are happy to answer them.
Driver's Ed Simplified Sequence of Events:
Register for the 30-hour class
Upon completion of the class, receive the blue card
Pass the Written (knowledge) Test
Receive your driver's permit
Schedule and complete the Behind-the-Wheel training with an instructor (6 hours)
Practice driving with a licensed adult; log at least 50 hours (15 being night driving hours)
Pass the Road Test
Receive your license
When you register for our summer class, a schedule letter and contract will be sent home with your child from school (if a BEA student), or mailed to your home (if your child does not attend BEA) about 4-6 weeks before the class begins. When you receive it, please fill out the contract and return to us ASAP to: Community Ed, 315 E. 6th St., Blue Earth, MN 56013, or drop it off in the school office.
Attention students taking the written test:
It is required for you to make an appointment to take your written test.
Please visit https://www.blueearthcountymn.gov/438/Drivers-Licenses-State-ID-Card to make your appointment. Click on the orange button.
You will need two forms of identification as well as your blue card to take the written test. Possible forms of ID include a certified birth certificate, valid passport book or card, and Social Security card. Visit https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/IdentificationRequirements_English.pdf to see more options.
Attention Behind-the-Wheel students
When you have your permit, and are ready to drive with Mr. Strukel or another instructor, you can contact him directly to set up your Behind-the-Wheel instruction time. His email address is jstrukel@beas.blueearth.k12.mn.us
FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)
For more information, click HERE to go to the Department of Vehicle Services Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to class?
For in-person classes, please bring a notebook, pen, and highlighter to class. You will get your text book and Drivers Ed manual at the first class. The manual is also available online by clicking the link above.
For Zoom classes, you will need a notebook to write notes in, and answer questions on the worksheets that will be shared with you on-screen.
Where can I find the Drivers Manual online?
Click on the link at right.
Copies of the Manual will also be available for purchase ($5) at the Faribault County DVS office. You can call ahead to inquire about purchasing one at (507)526-6234.
Where do I go to take the written test?
You must make an appointment to take the written test.
Select "Schedule or Reschedule an Exam"
To take the written (knowledge) test
Students may take their written tests anywhere, but the nearest testing locations are Blue Earth, Fairmont, and Mankato.
Blue Earth Exam Station: 415 S. Grove St. (Hwy. 169) Blue Earth, 507-344-2799. *Call first to determine if they are offering testing at this time.
Enter the set of doors to the left of the clock tower at the Ag Center. You will walk straight ahead to the courtyard, and the testing office is to the right of the courtyard.
Hours: Third Wednesdays only, at 10:00 am. Appointments required.
Fairmont Exam Station: 282 S. State St. Fairmont, 507-238-2222.
Written Test Hours: Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m.-11:00 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m. The entrance to the office is on the west side of the north end of the mall (near the former JC Penney). Appointments required.
Mankato Exam Station: 2161 Bassett Drive Mankato, 507-344-2799.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:15 pm. Appointments required.
How do I log my practice driving hours?
Students must log 50 hours of practice driving in order to take their driving test. A student may reduce this number to 40 if one of the student's parents or guardians attends a "Point of Impact" meeting, and has a certificate of completion from that meeting.
Students may log their practice driving hours on the Supervised Driving Log, or may use the RoadReady app (or similar).
For more information, click on the link.
Where do I go to take the driving test?
You must make an appointment to take the Road test.
Select "Schedule or Reschedule an Exam".
To take the Road Test
Students may take their road test anywhere, but the nearest testing locations are Blue Earth, Fairmont, and Mankato.
Blue Earth Exam Station: 415 S. Grove St. (Hwy 169), Blue Earth, 507-344-2799. *Call first to determine if they are offering testing at this time.
Enter the set of doors to the left of the clock tower at the Ag Center. You will walk straight ahead to the courtyard, and the testing office is to the right of the courtyard.
Hours: the third Wednesday of the month only, from 8:30-4:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00-12:30 pm.)
Appointment required--it is recommended to make an appointment 2 months in advance.
Fairmont Exam Station: 282 S. State St., Fairmont, 507-238-2222.
Road Test Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Friday and 5th Wednesday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.-4 p.m. The entrance to the office is on the west side of the north end of the mall (near the former JC Penney). Hours & availability may change. Please call before visiting.
Appointment required--it's recommended to make an appointment 2 months in advance.
Mankato Exam Station: 2161 Bassett Drive, Mankato, 507-344-2799.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:15 pm.
Appointment is required--it is recommended to make an appointment 2 months in advance.
For More Information, and to make appointments, click on your location of choice.
Do I have to pay the full $360 fee for the classes up front?
No, you may pay the Classroom fee ($150) and the Behind-the-Wheel ($210) fee separately, although you will be required to pay the Behind-the-Wheel fee before you can get your "blue card," which you need in order to take your written test. Your "blue card" shows that you have completed the Classroom portion of the training. You will receive your "white card" after you have completed your Behind-the-Wheel training.
Students who take the classroom portion during the school year will not need to pay the classroom fee of $150, but will still need to pay the Behind the Wheel fee of $210. Students who take it during the summer will be responsible for paying this fee as well as the Behind the Wheel portion.
More Information
Driver's Education in Minnesota
The state of Minnesota requires all first-time drivers to complete a state-approved driver's education course. This course must consist of 30 hours of classroom instruction and 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training, including 15 hours at night.
If parents/guardians take the parents awareness course (Point of Impact), then the required number of practice hours drops from 50 hours to 40 hours. The class is about 90 minutes and is offered by drivers education providers. You will need to record all of your practice hours on a Supervised Driving Log which must be signed by your parent or guardian.
Age Requirements
15 years old: Eligible for learner's permit.
16 years old: Eligible for provisional license.
12 months with provisional license: Eligible for full license.
Minnesota Learner's Permit
In order to get your instruction permit in Minnesota, you must be 15 years old and have completed the 30 hours of the classroom portion of Driver's Ed. You must also be enrolled in behind-the-wheel instruction.
When you're ready to apply for your learner's permit, head to your local DVS office and:
Present a completed permit/license application with a parental/legal guardian signature.
Submit 2 documents for proof of identification (Examples: original birth certificate, social security card, passport book/card, or a school record from the school office).
Submit your Driver's Ed certificate of completion (blue card).
Give your Social Security number.
Pass the written test (there is no testing fee for first two tests; a third test or any thereafter will be $10). Strongly consider taking a practice test to give yourself plenty of preparation before taking the DMV written test.
Pay the $14.25 learner's permit fee.
Your instruction permit is valid for 2 years, and you may renew it if necessary. To renew your instruction permit, return to Driver and Vehicle Services and pay the $13.25 permit fee.
Once you have your learner's permit in hand, you're allowed to practice supervised driving under the following conditions:
You must be accompanied by a certified driving instructor, your parent/guardian, or other licensed driver 21 years old or older.
You and all of your passengers must be wearing a properly-fastened seat belt (or, if driving with children, they must use a properly-fastened child restraint system).
You may not use a cell phone in any capacity while driving (not even with a hands-free device).
You will need to hold your learner's permit for at least 6 months and complete a minimum 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a professional instructor. You will also need to complete 50 hours (or 40 hours if your parents took the awareness class) of supervised driving practice. 15 hours of the practice hours must be at night. Before you are eligible to apply for your provisional license. you must submit a Supervised Driving Log that has been signed by your parent or guardian.