Teen Driver Insurance in Minnesota

Tojocu Editorial Team | Last verified: April 2026

In Minnesota, all drivers under 18 years old must complete the GDL program, which consists of earning an instruction permit, a provisional license, and an unrestricted driver's license. The program consists of three phases: the Instruction Permit phase, the Intermediate License phase, and the Full Unrestricted License phase. Minnesota's GDL system is designed to help teen drivers gain experience gradually through progressive licensing stages that lift restrictions as they demonstrate safe driving skills and maturity. The state of Minnesota requires all first-time drivers to complete a state-approved driver's education course. This course must consist of 30 hours of classroom instruction and 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training, including 15 hours at night. If your parents take the parents awareness course, then your required behind-the-wheel training drops from 50 hours to 40 hours.

Licensing Timeline

Teens must be at least 15 years old to apply for an instruction permit. Have held your learner's permit for at least 180 days. Have had no moving, alcohol, or drug violations. You must hold your provisional license for at least 12 months without any tickets or accidents before you're eligible for a full, unrestricted driver's license. Once you've had a provisional license for 12 months, or you've turned 18 years old, you can graduate to an unrestricted license by completing application requirements and paying the appropriate fees.

GDL Restrictions

Nighttime Driving Limitation; For the first six months of licensure, driving is prohibited from midnight – 5 a.m. Exemptions: Driving when accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older; driving between home and place of employment; driving to/from home and a school event for which the school has not provided transportation; driving for employment purposes. Teen Passenger Limitations; For the first six-months of licensure, only one passenger under the age of 20 is permitted, For the second six-months of licensure, no more than three passengers under the age of 20 are permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Exemption: Passengers under age 20 who are members of the immediate family are permitted. No cell phone use is allowed (includes no text messaging or hands-free devices).

Permit holding period: 6 months. Nighttime restriction: Midnight to 5:00 AM for first 6 months of provisional license. Passenger restriction: First 6 months: only 1 passenger under 20. Second 6 months: maximum 3 passengers under 20. Cell phone restriction: No cell phone use while driving, including hands-free devices. Supervisor requirement: Licensed driver age 21 or older. Nighttime exceptions include: employment, accompanied by licensed driver 25 or older, school events without provided transportation. Passenger exceptions include: immediate family members, when accompanied by parent or guardian.

Insurance Requirements

Minnesota is unique from most other states in that it operates under a no-fault insurance system. The minimum required amount of PIP insurance in Minnesota is $40,000. Drivers in Minnesota are also required to carry liability insurance. State law requires drivers to carry at least $30,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, $60,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage. Minnesota law also requires drivers to carry uninsured coverage of $25,000 for injuries to one person, $50,000 for injuries to two or more people and $10,000 for property damage. Additionally, drivers must carry underinsured coverage of $25,000 for injuries to one person and $50,000 for injuries to two or more people. The main type of coverage required in no-fault states is personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. PIP will cover your own economic losses as the policyholder. This can include your medical bills, the medical expenses of other members in your household (within state limits), funeral expenses in the event of a fatality, lost wages and replacement services.

Minimum liability limits: $30,000 bodily injury per person / $60,000 per accident / $10,000 property damage. Insurance system: no-fault. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is required at $40,000. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is required. Uninsured: $25,000/$50,000. Underinsured: $25,000/$50,000.

Insurance Considerations for Teen Drivers

Teen drivers typically face significantly higher insurance premiums due to their inexperience and statistically higher accident rates. In Minnesota's no-fault system, all drivers benefit from immediate access to PIP benefits regardless of fault, but this comprehensive coverage requirement means higher baseline premiums for all drivers. Parents adding teen drivers to existing policies often see substantial premium increases, though maintaining teens on family policies usually costs less than purchasing separate coverage. Shopping among multiple insurers and taking advantage of good student discounts or driver education credits can help manage costs for teen drivers.

Practice Paths to Licensure

Option 1: Standard driver education with 50 hours supervised driving (15 at night). 50 supervised hours required; 15 night hours required; driver education required; road test required.

Option 2: Driver education with parent awareness course reduces supervised hours to 40 total (15 at night). 40 supervised hours required; 15 night hours required; driver education required; road test required.

Fees

Permit fee: $29.50. License fee: $46.00. $3.50 credit available for provisional license upgrade if no violations on record.