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What to Bring to the Permit Test (aka the "knowledge test")
- Your Blue Card, indicating you are signed up for 6 hours of BTW somewhere. - School ID. - At least one powerful form of ID such as birth certificate or social security card. - Cash or check. Thee only station that takes cards is downtown St. Paul. NOTE: They are no longer offering online permit tests. You must now make an appointment and go there to test. Tough to keep up with all the changes, but this is the latest I've heard, as of September 2021. What to Bring to the Road Test (aka the "skills test") - Your permit. - Another powerful ID such as birth certificate or social security card. - White Card (teens only, certifying completion of mandatory six hours BTW lessons) OR Letter of Completion (for adults who have failed road test four times), certifying completion of 6 formal BTW hours of instruction. - Practice log (teens only). If you used the Road Ready app, you must print off what is there. Do not arrive for the road test and expect to hold up your phone. Must show at least 35 day and 15 night hours. - Proof of insurance. Of course, one that is current, not expired. - A vehicle that does not have any bulbs out or cracks in the windshield. In general, the smaller the car, the better off you are due to greater maneuverability. - The Parent Class certificate if you have it. This means a parent has taken a specific class on how to help their teen with driving. It reduces practice log requirement to 25 day and 15 night hours (I rarely see this used and question its efficacy anyway). - Cash or check. Thee only station that takes cards is downtown St. Paul. NOTE ABOUT ROAD TEST: They are now charging $20 for missed road tests. You can cancel but do so more than 24 hours in advance to avoid the fine. Road Testing Background Here's a list of stations where my students have gone to take the road test, in no particular order. NOTE: As I write this, in late summer of 2021, the state is very short on resources and the situation at each station is or can be fluid and unpredictable. In other words, don't count on anything. Road tests are booked way out months ahead at many stations. You may pick up a test slot by nabbing someone else's cancellation, which requires frequent checks online. The key is to be flexible and prepared to drive outside your area or outside the metro for services. This applies to the permit test as well. Use this site to learn exactly what services are currently offered and where. https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/locations/Pages/find-office-locations.aspx |
Header Photo:
The exam station office entrance, Westview Shopping Center, Hastings, MN. |
Scheduling the Road Test
NOTE: I'm new to Little Falls, and so it'll take time to learn where the nearest test stations are and related details.
I tell my customers (teens and adults) to schedule any way you can. Adapt and overcome. If a viable time slot is open, take it. You can always cancel it later. Otherwise, call the test station of your choice. They may get you into a time slot that way. Again, it bears repeating that the further out you go from the metro, the easier it will be to schedule. Here's another tip: preregister at dvs.dps.mn.gov to avoid standing in long lines after you pass the road test. In this manner they'll have all your info already. That's the idea anyway. I don't see it in that path, but it's possible it's embedded in the choices after you insert your permit number. I do know of at least a few who have done that however, and if I learn more I'll post the info here.
Test Stations
Below are test stations used by my customers, in general order of frequency. I give my thoughts and/or the primary details as told to me by my customers. NOTE: Please check with your desired test station as to the latest scheduling info. I cannot keep up with all the changes resulting from manpower shortages.
Eagan
This test station has always had some negative feedback. I've heard it many times: quirky/dubious road test scenarios and some cranky examiners. The positive in all this is I know the place well and I can help prep you to pass there. It's conveniently located for residents of the southeast metro, and I've had many, many customers pass the road test there. So don't shy away from it; the vast majority of my students pass there. It's not tough if you're prepared. This test station is called a 'closed course'. It's a massive flat chunk of blacktop, all enclosed within a fenced perimeter, and a gate that gets locked each evening. NOTE: Eagan now does some road tests on weekends (don't hold me to that - the situation can change quickly). Again, check the state DPS site for more details; I can't keep up with all they do. The DPS website is tough to navigate - just keep poking around until you find what you need. Also, look up Eagan road test in Youtube and watch those videos.
Hastings
This is, in my opinion, a great place for people in the southeast metro to take the road test. Everything I've heard about Hastings has been positive, and the workers there are pleasant. I know the general path they take and can give you some pointers. The only down side is the location of the 90 degree backing space. It's in a weird spot, behind the Marcus theater, and the layout is off a bit. It's not a perfect rectangle as one normally sees. The cones form a parallelogram, in essence, and the curb there is curved. So it requires a bit more focus but you can do it. I can give you pointers. The word is out that this is a great office, and they are normally booked out a ways. But call them or watch the website for cancellations - you might get a spot that works for you. Some of their streets are quite wide, and you must know where to be in terms of lateral position. Drive next to the center lane, but if turning right, do so from the parking lane (see the Faribault description also).
Faribault
Like Hastings, fairly straightforward and free of the drama you see at Eagan. They just moved the test station to the mall, near highways 35 and 60. It's about a 45 minute drive from the southeast metro, but it's worth it. When making a right turn from a street where the lane is two cars wide, turn from the right side. In other words, if you're making a right turn, do a formal lane change and get into the 'parking lane' before making your turn. Failure to do so will likely be a showstopper. I can take you down there if desired, and show you their area.
Arden Hills
This is another closed course but not fraught with the drama that Eagan is. There is a one-way but it's well marked and there are no strange layouts like you'll see at Eagan. Roughly a half dozen of my students take their test there each year, and that number is rising. Overall, they do well and have positive feedback. It is a bit of hike from the south metro, however.
NOTE: Arden Hills now does road tests Saturdays and Sundays !
Plymouth
Same story as Arden Hills, almost verbatim. Yes, that includes road tests Saturdays and Sundays.
Chaska
This and all the rest listed below are open courses - you will be driving around town. I hear good things about this station and the road test. Be aware though, that Chaska's test area is all within their downtown, which is kind of tight - close quarters are the norm, not like the wide suburban streets of Apple Valley, for example.
Here's what a student reported back after an August 2021 road test there (all common sense): "I stayed under 30 mph, did a hill park, a parallel park, and a 90 degree backing. The first thing the examiner said was "turn your head to look" because they can’t see your eyes. It is a busy place, so watch for pedestrians. Stay calm"
Mankato
No issues of note. I have about three or four students a year go there and they do well. Nothing quirky or noteworthy to report.
Albert Lea, Red Wing, Rochester : ditto
Ditto.
Glencoe
A nice place to test, just west of the metro. I've had a few go there and they passed without any issues.
Fairmont
Ditto. And yes, it's on the Iowa border, about a two hour drive. But if you want to or need to test immediately, this is an option. I have heard good things from my customers doing the road test there.
Pipestone
What? Mr. Vieths, you can't be serious !
Yes, in fact, I am serious. And yes, it's a hike . . . all the way to the South Dakota border. Nonetheless , I've had two teen students go there within the last couple years. Why? Because they wanted to test immediately, and Pipestone could handle them. One passed, one failed. The one that failed was a very good driver, but suffered from test anxiety. He went somewhere else shortly afterward and passed. Stop at the quarry for the tour, to celebrate your test, prior to heading home.
Others
Don't be afraid to explore the idea of testing at other stations too, if you can't wait months for your road test.
NOTE: I'm new to Little Falls, and so it'll take time to learn where the nearest test stations are and related details.
I tell my customers (teens and adults) to schedule any way you can. Adapt and overcome. If a viable time slot is open, take it. You can always cancel it later. Otherwise, call the test station of your choice. They may get you into a time slot that way. Again, it bears repeating that the further out you go from the metro, the easier it will be to schedule. Here's another tip: preregister at dvs.dps.mn.gov to avoid standing in long lines after you pass the road test. In this manner they'll have all your info already. That's the idea anyway. I don't see it in that path, but it's possible it's embedded in the choices after you insert your permit number. I do know of at least a few who have done that however, and if I learn more I'll post the info here.
Test Stations
Below are test stations used by my customers, in general order of frequency. I give my thoughts and/or the primary details as told to me by my customers. NOTE: Please check with your desired test station as to the latest scheduling info. I cannot keep up with all the changes resulting from manpower shortages.
Eagan
This test station has always had some negative feedback. I've heard it many times: quirky/dubious road test scenarios and some cranky examiners. The positive in all this is I know the place well and I can help prep you to pass there. It's conveniently located for residents of the southeast metro, and I've had many, many customers pass the road test there. So don't shy away from it; the vast majority of my students pass there. It's not tough if you're prepared. This test station is called a 'closed course'. It's a massive flat chunk of blacktop, all enclosed within a fenced perimeter, and a gate that gets locked each evening. NOTE: Eagan now does some road tests on weekends (don't hold me to that - the situation can change quickly). Again, check the state DPS site for more details; I can't keep up with all they do. The DPS website is tough to navigate - just keep poking around until you find what you need. Also, look up Eagan road test in Youtube and watch those videos.
Hastings
This is, in my opinion, a great place for people in the southeast metro to take the road test. Everything I've heard about Hastings has been positive, and the workers there are pleasant. I know the general path they take and can give you some pointers. The only down side is the location of the 90 degree backing space. It's in a weird spot, behind the Marcus theater, and the layout is off a bit. It's not a perfect rectangle as one normally sees. The cones form a parallelogram, in essence, and the curb there is curved. So it requires a bit more focus but you can do it. I can give you pointers. The word is out that this is a great office, and they are normally booked out a ways. But call them or watch the website for cancellations - you might get a spot that works for you. Some of their streets are quite wide, and you must know where to be in terms of lateral position. Drive next to the center lane, but if turning right, do so from the parking lane (see the Faribault description also).
Faribault
Like Hastings, fairly straightforward and free of the drama you see at Eagan. They just moved the test station to the mall, near highways 35 and 60. It's about a 45 minute drive from the southeast metro, but it's worth it. When making a right turn from a street where the lane is two cars wide, turn from the right side. In other words, if you're making a right turn, do a formal lane change and get into the 'parking lane' before making your turn. Failure to do so will likely be a showstopper. I can take you down there if desired, and show you their area.
Arden Hills
This is another closed course but not fraught with the drama that Eagan is. There is a one-way but it's well marked and there are no strange layouts like you'll see at Eagan. Roughly a half dozen of my students take their test there each year, and that number is rising. Overall, they do well and have positive feedback. It is a bit of hike from the south metro, however.
NOTE: Arden Hills now does road tests Saturdays and Sundays !
Plymouth
Same story as Arden Hills, almost verbatim. Yes, that includes road tests Saturdays and Sundays.
Chaska
This and all the rest listed below are open courses - you will be driving around town. I hear good things about this station and the road test. Be aware though, that Chaska's test area is all within their downtown, which is kind of tight - close quarters are the norm, not like the wide suburban streets of Apple Valley, for example.
Here's what a student reported back after an August 2021 road test there (all common sense): "I stayed under 30 mph, did a hill park, a parallel park, and a 90 degree backing. The first thing the examiner said was "turn your head to look" because they can’t see your eyes. It is a busy place, so watch for pedestrians. Stay calm"
Mankato
No issues of note. I have about three or four students a year go there and they do well. Nothing quirky or noteworthy to report.
Albert Lea, Red Wing, Rochester : ditto
Ditto.
Glencoe
A nice place to test, just west of the metro. I've had a few go there and they passed without any issues.
Fairmont
Ditto. And yes, it's on the Iowa border, about a two hour drive. But if you want to or need to test immediately, this is an option. I have heard good things from my customers doing the road test there.
Pipestone
What? Mr. Vieths, you can't be serious !
Yes, in fact, I am serious. And yes, it's a hike . . . all the way to the South Dakota border. Nonetheless , I've had two teen students go there within the last couple years. Why? Because they wanted to test immediately, and Pipestone could handle them. One passed, one failed. The one that failed was a very good driver, but suffered from test anxiety. He went somewhere else shortly afterward and passed. Stop at the quarry for the tour, to celebrate your test, prior to heading home.
Others
Don't be afraid to explore the idea of testing at other stations too, if you can't wait months for your road test.