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Instructional permit eligibility

Published (4/15/2011)
By Mike Cook
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To be eligible for an instructional permit, a person under age 18 must now complete the classroom phase of driver’s training.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo Township) would lower the eligibility.

Held over April 11 by the House Transportation Policy and Finance Committee for possible omnibus bill inclusion, HF867 would allow permit issuance to someone who has yet to complete the classroom portion of driver’s education if they are:

• enrolled in a concurrent driver education program that utilizes simulation or behind-the-wheel instruction as approved by the Department of Public Safety;

• completes 15 hours of classroom instruction; and

• completes one behind-the-wheel lesson with an instructor before driving with any other licensed adult age 21 years or older.

There is no Senate companion.

John Palmer, a professor of health and safety at St. Cloud State University, said national standards for driver education and training indicate that “states should ensure that instruction of novice teens is completed using concurrent, integrated classroom and in-car instruction where the bulk of the classroom instruction occurs close in time to the in-car instruction to ensure maximum transfer of skills.”

He said Minnesota is the only state that prohibits this practice. “In statute you cannot teach an integrated program of classroom and behind-the-wheel,” Palmer said. “We believe that the language that is in Rep. Anderson’s bill carves out a reasonable ground for that by requiring 15 hours of classroom and at least one behind-the-wheel lesson prior to the student being able to go out and practice with an adult.”

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