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Left:
My fist car; a 1970 Chevy Nova. The photo was taken circa 1975. I've driven a million miles since then. Below A 1931 Bugatti, Type 41 Royale at the Henry Ford Museum, Detroit, MI. Ettore Bugatti only made seven of these. They were 21 feet long, weighed 7,000 lb., and sported a 780 cubic inch straight-eight engine. The radiator cap is an elephant, sculpted by Ettore's brother. 
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June, 2024
Just moved my business from Eagan to Little Falls. I'm entering my 13th year now in this industry, ten of which have been with my own business. I do behind the wheel lessons evenings and weekends for teens and adults. My customers go on to pass the road test and become successful drivers. I've helped hundreds learn to drive and pass the road test. I'm working on offering an e-Learning classroom module which will be certified by the state. I'll announce that when it's ready; it'll be a few months yet. Maybe fall or later on in 2024.
My Background
My name is Dan Vieths (pronounced veets). As a teen, I saw driving as a means of exploration. I drove everywhere, just for the fun of it. Growing up in northern Wisconsin, I had a beautiful landscape to explore, and access to boats, a snowmobile, and my brother's dirt bike. And, once in a while my dad would take us to the gokart track in Spooner. Those experiences shortened my learning curve when I began learning to drive a car. They also became the foundation for my love of driving and the open road.
Just moved my business from Eagan to Little Falls. I'm entering my 13th year now in this industry, ten of which have been with my own business. I do behind the wheel lessons evenings and weekends for teens and adults. My customers go on to pass the road test and become successful drivers. I've helped hundreds learn to drive and pass the road test. I'm working on offering an e-Learning classroom module which will be certified by the state. I'll announce that when it's ready; it'll be a few months yet. Maybe fall or later on in 2024.
My Background
My name is Dan Vieths (pronounced veets). As a teen, I saw driving as a means of exploration. I drove everywhere, just for the fun of it. Growing up in northern Wisconsin, I had a beautiful landscape to explore, and access to boats, a snowmobile, and my brother's dirt bike. And, once in a while my dad would take us to the gokart track in Spooner. Those experiences shortened my learning curve when I began learning to drive a car. They also became the foundation for my love of driving and the open road.
Left: I'm standing at the entrance to the old Packard plant, on East Grand Boulevard in Detroit. Photo is from 2016. The famous skyway in the background collapsed on January 23rd of 2019.
This auto plant complex covers 40 acres. Beautiful Packards were built here, from 1903 through 1956. The exception was during WWII, when they made fighter plane engines. In the mid-fifties, Studebakers were made here as well. Yes, I have a strong interest in history and machines. If it has an engine and moves, I like it.
This auto plant complex covers 40 acres. Beautiful Packards were built here, from 1903 through 1956. The exception was during WWII, when they made fighter plane engines. In the mid-fifties, Studebakers were made here as well. Yes, I have a strong interest in history and machines. If it has an engine and moves, I like it.
I'm in the process of getting established in Little Falls and overall in Morrison County as a behind the wheel provider. I am able to issue both the blue cards and white cards to teens and Letters of Completion for adults. I became certified by the state of Minnesota in 2011. This is an arduous process which includes multiple exams and tests, plus background checks. I spent a few years working part time as a behind the wheel instructor at a huge Twin Cities driver ed school. That led me to start my own business, which was established in 2014. I had great success in the southeast metro, and now I'd like to continue that success in Morrison County.
Hundreds of my former students are safely plying the roads today. This equates to a sense of accomplishment unequaled in my daytime career. I feel strongly a behind the wheel instructor must approach the role with a combination of patience, understanding, empathy, and an aura of servitude. This approach has facilitated a high success rate for me. My business is very small but I'm proud of this success.
Vetting: My name and reputation are well established with families in Dakota County, and at test stations as well. If you need a reference, let me know, using the information in the Contact page.
Hundreds of my former students are safely plying the roads today. This equates to a sense of accomplishment unequaled in my daytime career. I feel strongly a behind the wheel instructor must approach the role with a combination of patience, understanding, empathy, and an aura of servitude. This approach has facilitated a high success rate for me. My business is very small but I'm proud of this success.
Vetting: My name and reputation are well established with families in Dakota County, and at test stations as well. If you need a reference, let me know, using the information in the Contact page.
This is a '59 Corvette. I spotted it for sale on County 46 near Hastings, in 2023. Fortunately, the owner let me get in and dream a bit. It's a "survivor", as they say in the classic car circles. Well preserved, with a nice coat of enamel that has aged well. All original Chevrolet parts. Has the 283 cubic inch V8 with dual exhaust, electric windows, and 3-speed manual transmission.
This beautiful '81 Corvette belongs to a friend. Wish I had one.
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One of my students let me drive her 2016 S Class Mercedes.
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Instruction Philosophy
The massive factory-style driver ed schools often use lesson plans they found on the internet somewhere. I don't have to follow stipulations set by someone sitting in an office. I have a general curriculum outline but I spend time on the skills commensurate with safe driving and survival in any environment. My approach is somewhat relaxed but fully engaged. There's frequent discussion about awareness of surroundings, intersections, steering wheel handling, lane changes and more, all interspersed among the two hours per lesson. I tend to stress interactions with other vehicles in active, dynamic metro traffic. My experience leads me to believe this is where the vast majority of need lies. This is where the multitasking comes into play. Navigating intersections, lane changes, and leveraging mirrors to keep an eye on other drivers, how to finesse the gas and brake . . . all these skills add up to create a good driver. And then there's parallel parking and 90 degree backing. Unlike other schools, I touch on that each of the three lessons, so the student can master them instead of just being introduced to them. One could say then, that I teach to create a safe, competent driver but at the same time, I also teach to the test.
Interactions in the Car
This is aimed primarily at teens. I put my heart into this. I talk quite a bit in the car because I care about my students and I have some passion for this. I am here to help people who want to train. Moral of the story: be happy and grateful, try hard, and be a sponge. If you do that, we'll have fun and you'll succeed.
The massive factory-style driver ed schools often use lesson plans they found on the internet somewhere. I don't have to follow stipulations set by someone sitting in an office. I have a general curriculum outline but I spend time on the skills commensurate with safe driving and survival in any environment. My approach is somewhat relaxed but fully engaged. There's frequent discussion about awareness of surroundings, intersections, steering wheel handling, lane changes and more, all interspersed among the two hours per lesson. I tend to stress interactions with other vehicles in active, dynamic metro traffic. My experience leads me to believe this is where the vast majority of need lies. This is where the multitasking comes into play. Navigating intersections, lane changes, and leveraging mirrors to keep an eye on other drivers, how to finesse the gas and brake . . . all these skills add up to create a good driver. And then there's parallel parking and 90 degree backing. Unlike other schools, I touch on that each of the three lessons, so the student can master them instead of just being introduced to them. One could say then, that I teach to create a safe, competent driver but at the same time, I also teach to the test.
Interactions in the Car
This is aimed primarily at teens. I put my heart into this. I talk quite a bit in the car because I care about my students and I have some passion for this. I am here to help people who want to train. Moral of the story: be happy and grateful, try hard, and be a sponge. If you do that, we'll have fun and you'll succeed.
In Recognition
I'll never forget my high school driver ed instructor. He had the right attitude. Do your best and use your skills to serve the community.
Here's to Harry Lindemann, 1928-2017. Photo courtesy of Cumberland High School, Cumberland, WI.
I'll never forget my high school driver ed instructor. He had the right attitude. Do your best and use your skills to serve the community.
Here's to Harry Lindemann, 1928-2017. Photo courtesy of Cumberland High School, Cumberland, WI.
In Memorium
We all stand on foundations built by those who came before us. This is my ode to Reinold Vieths, 1903-1971. He loved poetry, firecrackers, and nice cars. The only customer in GM history to order a Chevy Caprice with a stick shift. Obtained an FCC license and built his own radio station in the 1930s. Served the Rushford-Peterson school district for 20 years as superintendent. Recipient of WCCO Radio's Good Neighbor award.
And . . . driver ed instructor.
We all stand on foundations built by those who came before us. This is my ode to Reinold Vieths, 1903-1971. He loved poetry, firecrackers, and nice cars. The only customer in GM history to order a Chevy Caprice with a stick shift. Obtained an FCC license and built his own radio station in the 1930s. Served the Rushford-Peterson school district for 20 years as superintendent. Recipient of WCCO Radio's Good Neighbor award.
And . . . driver ed instructor.