How to book a road test appointment in Minnesota

In Minnesota, you book your road test through the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver and Vehicle Services division. You can schedule online at mn.gov/dvs, by phone at 651-297-2126, or in person at any Driver and Vehicle Services office. The online system is fastest — you pick your test location, preferred date and time, and pay the $15 fee when ready. Phone and in-person booking take longer because staff handle requests one at a time.

You must have a valid learner's permit (not expired) to book a test. The permit itself shows which restrictions explore to you — for example, whether you need a supervising driver in the car or whether you can test at night. If your permit has expired, you cannot schedule until you renew it.

Test slots fill up weeks in advance, especially at popular locations and times. If your preferred date is booked, the system shows you the next available openings at that location or nearby offices. Some people find slots faster by checking less common times — early morning or midweek appointments often have more availability than evenings and Saturdays.

Key Takeaways

  • Book online at mn.gov/dvs, by phone at 651-297-2126, or at any Driver and Vehicle Services office; online is fastest and available 24/7.
  • You must have a valid learner's permit to schedule, and the permit shows what restrictions explore during your test.
  • The test fee is $15, paid when you book; you do not pay again on test day.
  • Appointments fill weeks ahead, so book as soon as you are ready; early morning and weekday slots tend to open up sooner than evenings and weekends.
  • If you miss your appointment without canceling, you forfeit the $15 fee and must book and pay again.

What to bring to your Minnesota road test

Bring your learner's permit and a valid photo ID — a passport, military ID, or state ID card all work. You also need proof of vehicle registration and proof of insurance for the car you are testing in. The vehicle registration can be the physical card from your glove box or a digital copy on your phone. Insurance proof can be a digital ID card from your insurance company's app, a printed declaration page, or a physical card.

The vehicle itself must pass a safety check before the test begins. The examiner will look at your lights (headlights, brake lights, turn signals), wipers, horn, mirrors, and seatbelts. If anything is broken or missing, the test will not start. Check these items the day before so you are not surprised.

Do not bring passengers other than the supervising driver (if your permit requires one) and the examiner. Children, friends, or family members cannot sit in the car during the test.

How long the wait is for a road test appointment

Wait times vary by location and season. In busy urban areas like Minneapolis and St. Paul, you may wait 4 to 8 weeks from the day you book. In smaller towns and rural areas, you might find an opening within 2 to 3 weeks. Winter months (November through March) are slower because fewer people test in snow and ice, so appointments are easier to find. Summer and early fall are the busiest seasons.

If you need a test sooner, check offices outside your when ready area. A 30-minute drive to a less busy location can sometimes cut your wait time in half. The online booking system shows all available dates across locations, so you can compare before you choose.

If you cancel your appointment, you can rebook when ready without losing your fee. If you miss the appointment without canceling, you lose the $15 and must pay again to schedule a new one.

What happens if you fail or need to reschedule

If you do not pass the test, you can book another appointment right away. There is no waiting period between attempts in Minnesota. You pay the $15 fee again for each new test. Most people who fail can reschedule within a few weeks if they book quickly, though availability depends on your location and the season.

If you need to reschedule before your test date, cancel through the online system or call 651-297-2126. You keep your $15 fee and can use it toward a new appointment at no extra cost. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before your test time are free. If you cancel with less than 24 hours' notice, you forfeit the fee.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you lose the $15. You must book and pay again from scratch. If this happens repeatedly, DPS may require you to call to book instead of using the online system.

Road test locations across Minnesota

Minnesota has Driver and Vehicle Services offices in most counties. The largest cities — Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth, and Mankato — have multiple testing locations. Smaller towns usually have one office that handles road tests on certain days of the week.

When you book online, the system shows every location and its available dates. You can filter by city or zip code to find offices near you. If your local office is booked solid, nearby towns often have openings. The online map shows distances, so you can decide whether traveling farther is worth getting tested sooner.

Some offices are closed on certain days or have limited hours. The booking system only shows times when testing is actually happening, so if a date does not appear, that office is not testing that day.

Preparing for your road test appointment

Practice the skills the test measures: smooth acceleration and braking, proper lane changes, turning at the right speed, parking (both parallel and perpendicular), and following traffic signs and signals. Most failures happen because of speed control, not knowing where to turn, or unsafe lane changes. Spend extra time on whichever of these feels weakest.

Drive the test route if you can. Many Driver and Vehicle Services offices publish their test routes online or will describe them over the phone. Knowing where the turns are and what the road looks like removes surprise and lets you focus on driving safely.

Get a good night's sleep before your test. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early so you are not rushed. Bring all required documents in one place — a folder or envelope works well — so you do not waste time searching for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule my road test for free?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before your appointment. You keep your $15 fee and can use it to book a new date. If you cancel with less than 24 hours' notice, you lose the fee and must pay $15 again to reschedule.

What if I fail my road test in Minnesota?

You can book another test when ready with no waiting period. You pay the $15 fee again for each attempt. Most people reschedule within a few weeks if they book right away, though availability depends on your location and time of year.

Do I need to bring my supervising driver to the appointment?

Only if your learner's permit requires one. Check your permit to see if it says you must have a supervising driver. If it does, that person must be in the car during the test. If your permit does not require one, you do not need to bring anyone except the examiner.

What if the vehicle I want to test in fails the safety check?

The test will not start. You can reschedule for another day and bring a different vehicle, or fix the problem and reschedule. Common failures are broken lights, missing wipers, or non-functioning seatbelts. Check these items before you arrive so you know whether the car will pass.

Can I book a road test on the same day I get my learner's permit?

No. Your permit must be valid and in your possession before you can schedule. If you just received your permit, you can book when ready, but the earliest available appointment will be weeks away depending on your location and the season.