South Metro Driving School

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City of Minneapolis street scene, Portland Avenue, red brick buildings, parked cars, people walking dogs, traffic lights, and a street sign for Portland Avenue.

  • Students under 18 years of age must complete 30 hours of classroom Driver Education before taking the Knowledge Test to earn an Instruction Permit to drive.

  • Once you have completed 30 hours of classroom Driver Education, you will receive a Classroom Completion Letter from your school.

  • Students must be 15 years of age or older in order to take the Knowledge Test

  • Make your payment. Students under the age of 18 must enroll in a Driver Education Program (financially commit) before moving forward to earn an Instruction Permit. Students 18 or older are not required to complete classroom OR behind the-wheel-education

I think I’m ready to take the Permit Test

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  • Students make take and pass the Knowledge Test with a score of 80% or better to earn an Instruction Permit

  • Students will receive a paper copy of their Permit at the DMV when they pass the Knowledge/Vision Tests and an ID card will be mailed within a few months. Once you receive your paper copy Permit, you are ready to drive.

  • Students should spend at least 3 hours learning vehicle control and basic driving tasks under adult supervision. This way, SMDS instructors can spend less time on simple tasks and more time discussing complex and potentially dangerous roadway situations. (If you prefer your first minutes of driving to be with an instructor, that works for us too)

I think I’m ready to Schedule Behind-The-Wheel

SCHEDULE LESSONS
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  • In the State of Minnesota you must be at least 16 years of age to qualify for a Provisional License to drive.

  • In the State of Minnesota you must complete 6 hours of Behind-The-Wheel Instruction with a State Approved Driver Education Program before taking the Road Test to earn a Provisional License to drive. This is not required for drivers 18 years of age or older

  • In the State of Minnesota you must complete 50 hours of supervised driving with a qualified adult, 21 years of age of older, 15 of these hours must be at night. (which means after dark) If the student driver is 18, then the supervising driver must only be 18 years of age or older. These driving hours must be recorded on the Minnesota Supervised Driving Log or on the app Road Ready.

I think I’m ready to take the Road Test

ROAD TEST CHECK LIST
City of St. Paul, Xcel Energy Center, Grand Casino Arena, intersection with traffic lights, cars, and modern buildings under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Why Choose SMDS?

  • We strive to be the best Driver Education School in the Twin Cities South Metro Area. By providing a premium service with a professional approach we hope to build a community of safer and more confident drivers.

  • All of our Driving Instructors are current and former ISD 196 teachers who know how to connect with teens and guide new drivers with patience and skill. We’ve been running Driver Education Programs since 1980, giving us decades of experience helping students become safe and confident drivers.

  • We make it easy to fit driving lessons into busy family calendars, with plenty of choice and flexible options.

  • We keep costs fair while providing modern Driver Education and Add-On services to enhance this experience for students.

  • Driving Lessons will be conducted in newer vehicles equipped with top-end safety features, ensuring safety and comfort.

Our Beginning

South Metro Driving School was founded to meet the growing need in our community for high-quality Behind-The-Wheel driving instruction. For decades, our instructors have been helping students learn to safely navigate roadways with confidence.  With recent closures and demand already exceeding the capacity of existing programs in the Twin Cities South Metro, SMDS is excited to help students achieve their driving goals. By opening our school, we are stepping in to ensure families have access to experienced, trusted educators who understand the unique needs of new drivers.

Our goal is not only to fill the gap but to raise the bar—offering a premium driver education service that combines the latest vehicle safety technology, flexible scheduling, and professional instruction to provide every student the confidence to succeed on the roadways.

Rosemount street scene with traffic lights, American flags, parked cars, a pub named 'Celt's Pub', and a crosswalk at sunset.
About SMDS

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