The Minnesota road test

When you can take it

What to bring

• A licensed driver to come with you. Without one, the test may be cancelled.
• Your valid instruction permit, to hand to the examiner.
• Current proof of insurance: the insurance card, policy declaration page, or e-insurance on your phone.
• A car with doors that open from inside and out, working seat belts, and working headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals. Registration must be current or on a 60-day permit.
• Under 18: your White Card, your signed Supervised Driving Log and a parent or guardian to sign your application.
• A rental car is fine if you're on the rental agreement. Neighborhood electric vehicles aren't allowed.

What the examiner checks

• The equipment check: seat, seat belts, parking brake, high and low beams, hazard lights, horn, wipers, defroster, mirrors and fuel gauge. Fail this and you can't drive that day.
• Vehicle control, parallel parking, parking on a hill and the 90-degree backing maneuver into a space about 10 feet wide.
• Turns, signals, lane use, intersections, traffic signs and how you watch for other drivers and pedestrians.
• No passengers, pets or interpreters ride along. No phones, no smoking, and parking assist can't be used for parallel parking. A backup camera is fine, but don't rely on it alone.

What fails you on the spot

• Breaking a traffic law.
• Driving dangerously or carelessly, including anything that could cause a crash.
• Needing the examiner's help to control the car or finish a maneuver.
• An avoidable crash, even if it isn't legally your fault.
• Not following the examiner's instructions.
• Getting stuck in snow. The test can't be finished and counts as a fail, and towing is up to you.

If you pass, or don't

Pass, and you leave with a temporary paper license. The card comes in the mail. Fail, and the examiner goes over your mistakes and assigns practice time to finish before your next try. After two fails, each new test is $20. After four fails, you need at least six hours of behind-the-wheel lessons with a licensed instructor before you can test again.