What safe driving rules are on the Minnesota permit test?

Minnesota's safe driving questions come from its own statutes and the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services handbook. QuizLane covers 3 Minnesota-specific safe driving items, drawn from 3 distinct source sections, alongside 10 questions on rules that apply in every state.

How many safe driving questions are on the Minnesota permit test?

Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services does not publish a per-topic breakdown. The test as a whole has 40 questions and you need 32 correct (80%) to pass, so safe driving is worth studying alongside every other topic rather than in isolation.

Are these official Minnesota DMV safe driving questions?

No. These are original study questions written against Minnesota law and the official handbook, each carrying the section it came from. They are not endorsed by Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services and are not copies of the real exam.

Do I need an account to practice Minnesota safe driving questions?

No. Practice starts immediately as a guest. An account is optional and only saves your attempt history across devices.

Minnesota seat-belt law requires a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt to be worn by:

The driver and passengers of a passenger vehicle (and listed other vehicles)

While a motor vehicle is in motion on a Minnesota street or highway, the operator is generally prohibited from:

Holding a wireless communications device with one or both hands

Minnesota requires protective motorcycle headgear for:

Persons under the age of 18 who operate or ride a motorcycle on streets and highways

All motorcycle operators at any age

MNSafe driving

Minnesota safe driving practice questions

3 questions below test Minnesota’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.

The Minnesota permit knowledge test has 40 questions in total and needs 32 correct (80%) to pass.

Practice safe driving All Minnesota topics

Minnesota law

3 questions on Minnesota’s own safe driving rules

These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.

1. Minnesota seat-belt law requires a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt to be worn by:
- AOnly front-seat occupants
- BOnly passengers under 15
- COnly the driver
- The driver and passengers of a passenger vehicle (and listed other vehicles)
Answer: The driver and passengers of a passenger vehicle (and listed other vehicles). Minn. Stat. §169.686 requires a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt to be worn by the driver and passengers of a passenger vehicle, commercial motor vehicle, and other listed vehicle types.
Source: Minnesota Statutes — §169.686
2. While a motor vehicle is in motion on a Minnesota street or highway, the operator is generally prohibited from:
- Holding a wireless communications device with one or both hands
- BUsing the radio
- CWearing sunglasses
- DUsing cruise control
Answer: Holding a wireless communications device with one or both hands. Minn. Stat. §169.475 prohibits holding a wireless communications device with one or both hands when a motor vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic, and also restricts using the device for electronic messages, cellular calls, and accessing listed content, with exceptions.
Source: Minnesota Statutes — §169.475
3. Minnesota requires protective motorcycle headgear for:
- AOnly passengers
- BOnly night riding
- CAll motorcycle operators at any age
- Persons under the age of 18 who operate or ride a motorcycle on streets and highways
Answer: Persons under the age of 18 who operate or ride a motorcycle on streets and highways. Minn. Stat. §169.974 provides that no person under the age of 18 shall operate or ride a motorcycle on the streets and highways of this state without wearing protective headgear that complies with commissioner of public safety standards.
Source: Minnesota Statutes — §169.974

Sources for the Minnesota items above

Applies everywhere

Safe driving rules that hold in every state

A sample of the national safe driving bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the Minnesota items above for 13 questions in total.

1. How often should you check your mirrors in normal driving?
- AAbout once a minute
- BOnly when slowing down
- Every 5 to 8 seconds
- DOnly before changing lanes
Answer: Every 5 to 8 seconds. Frequent mirror checks keep you aware of vehicles approaching or sitting in your blind areas before a situation develops.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Safe driving — visual search
2. Under ideal driving conditions, what is the recommended minimum following distance?
- A10 seconds
- B1 second
- 3 seconds
- D5 seconds
Answer: 3 seconds. The 3-second rule provides a baseline buffer for reaction and stopping distance under normal, dry weather conditions.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — following distance
3. Before backing out of a parking space, the safest practice is to:
- ASound the horn continuously
- BRely only on the backup camera
- Walk around the vehicle and check behind it
- DBack out quickly to reduce exposure
Answer: Walk around the vehicle and check behind it. Small children and low obstacles sit below the sightline of mirrors and many cameras. Checking behind the vehicle first is the only reliable method.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Basic control — backing

Practice all 13 safe driving questions

Safe driving rules in other states

Safe driving law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.

IndianaIN · 4 questions IowaIA · 4 questions KansasKS · 3 questions MichiganMI · 2 questions MissouriMO · 2 questions NebraskaNE · 5 questions North DakotaND · 5 questions OhioOH · 3 questions

Confirm current Minnesota rules

Statutes and handbooks change. Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services is authoritative for Minnesota safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.

Visit Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services

Common questions

About Minnesota safe driving rules and this practice set.