A. A Class D motor vehicle program must provide a student who is less than 18 years old a minimum of 30 hours of approved classroom instruction.
2. Q. Is there a classroom hour limitation for a Class D motor vehicle program?
A. A program may offer no more than three hours of classroom instruction per day to a student less than 18 years of age who has not yet obtained a drivers license.
3. Q. What is the required number of Class D motor vehicle laboratory hours for students?
A. A Class D program must provide a Class D driver education student who is less than 18 years old a minimum of six hours of laboratory instruction.
4. Q. If our Class D program has simulation, will this time count for "on-street" instruction?
A. Simulation instruction must be counted as laboratory instruction in a ratio of four clock hours of simulator time equal to one hour of on-street time.
5. Q. In a Class D program, how many hours of simulator instruction may be substituted for on-street laboratory instruction?
A. Simulator instruction must not be substituted for more than two hours of on-street laboratory instruction.
6. Q. Can simulation hours transfer from one program to another program?
A. No. When a student transfers to a new program, a full 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction must be completed in the new program.
A. Range time counts as laboratory instruction if the student operates a Class D vehicle. No more than two hours of range instruction can be substituted for one hour of the on-street laboratory instruction.
8. Q. Does observation time count as laboratory instruction time?
A. No.
9. Q. Can a student take the classroom instruction in one program and behind-the-wheel instruction in another program?
A. Enrollment in classroom instruction and laboratory instruction need not occur with the same program.
10. Q. In a Class D program, when is a "course completion certificate" (blue-card) or "letter of completion" issued to the student?
A. Blue cards are ONLY to be used for students who are under the age of 18. The program where the student is enrolled in behind-the-wheel training always issues the blue card. If a student is completing both classroom and behind-the-wheel with the same program, that program issues the blue card. If a student completes the 30 hours of classroom instruction at one program and enrolls in behind-the-wheel with another program, the authorized signer of the BTW program will issue the blue card, BUT ONLY after receiving a "letter of completion" from the program where the classroom instruction was completed. A program is not required to issue a blue card or "letter of completion" to a student who has not paid the fees agreed on in the student contract or agreement.
A. Yes. This is to protect your program. Several years ago, a couple of instructors carelessly left some pre-signed blue cards out in the open and some students stole them. The students received their Minnesota drivers permits under the age of 18 with no education. DPS did cancel the permits. The Driver Education Rule states that each program, commercial and public/private, must maintain records of classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction for all students. This includes classroom records of BTW students from a different classroom program. The BTW program should be ASKING for the classroom "letter of completion" before BTW lessons begin. If this procedure is not being followed in your area, notify DPS and a letter will be sent to area programs reminding them to obey the rule.
12. Q. In a Class D program, when is a course completion certificate (white-card) issued to the student?
A. When a student under 18 years of age is properly enrolled in your program and has successfully completed both classroom and BTW instruction a course completion certificate should be issued.
A. Parents must submit a home school affidavit, found on the DVS website, indicating their student has completed 30 hours of classroom instruction, using one of the curricula that has been pre-approved. DPS reserves the right to request a letter from the local superintendent. When a student completes the affidavit, the student will receive a "letter of completion" from DPS. When the DPS "letter of completion" is received and enrollment in your behind-the-wheel program is completed the blue card can be issued.
14. Q. When should a home school student receive a white card after BTW instruction?
A. Home schooled students enrolled in your BTW program who have paid the fee and completed 6 hours of BTW instruction should receive a white course completion card. This assumes that the program has a "letter of completion" on record showing completion of the 30 hours of classroom instruction.
15. Q. How will I know for sure a Vanessa Law student’s Minnesota Drivers Permit is valid before providing the first lesson of BTW?
A. It is highly recommended that you contact DPS with information on a Vanessa Law student and receive in writing verification that the student indeed has a VALID MINNESOTA DRIVERS PERMIT. This verification letter should be kept on administrative file and a copy given to the BTW instructor before the first lesson of BTW is provided. The permit must be held for a minimum of 90 days before a Vanessa Law student is eligible to have a Class D license reinstated. DPS will send correction orders to instructors that provide behind-the-wheel instruction to a student without a valid instruction permit.
16. Q. For students who are under age 18, what is considered a reasonable expectation for completion of the BTW after passing the knowledge test and applying for the instruction permit?
A. It is reasonable to expect students to complete BTW in a maximum of one year. It is best for students to begin the BTW training with an instructor and parents soon after classroom and securing a permit. Reasons for delay of lessons include:
* busy schedules with work, sports and other extra-curricular activities
* parents that do not want their child to get a license right away
* age of completion of classroom phase and age of eligibility for the knowledge test
* high or low motivation by the student to begin BTW training
* age for taking the provisional license test
Programs should notify DPS of a student who does not attempt completion in a reasonable time and the student's permit will be canceled. This threat can motivate students to complete the training.