Minnesota (MN) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

Minnesota has a number of laws in place for teen drivers. First, drivers under 18 must follow a specific set of rules under “Vanessa’s Law,” enacted in 2004 after 15-year-old Vanessa Weiss was killed at the hands of an unlicensed 15-year-old, as well as Minnesota’s Graduated Driver Licensing system. Under Vanessa’s Law, unlicensed teens ages 18 and under, will not receive a license until age 18 if they get caught drinking and driving or they are involved in a car crash. Once the teen turns 18, he will have to pay fees up to $680 and go though the driver licensing system as determined by the courts.

Continue reading to learn more about Minnesota’s unique teen driving laws and the serious consequences for violating them.

Minnesota Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and Driver License Requirements

Under Minnesota’s Graduated Driver Licensing, teens must complete two phases before qualifying for a full license or Phase III: Instruction Permit (Phase I) and Provisional License (II). To qualify for an Instruction Permit:

•    You must be at least 15 years old
•    Complete 30 hours of classroom instruction
•    Enroll in an approved driver education/instruction program
•    Obtain a signature from a parent or guardian (must sign application)
•    Pay the required $10.25 fee

Phase II requirements are as follows:

•    Teen must be at least 16 years of age
•    Teen must complete driver education
•    Teen must complete a road test
•    Instruction permit must be at least 6 months old
•    Teen must complete an application for a Provisional License
•    Pay the required $13.25 fee

To obtain a Full License you must be 18 years of age, complete an application, and pay the required $24 fee. Before applying for a Full License, you have to hold your Provisional License for at least 1 year and maintain a clean driving record during this time. Applicants under the age of 18 must have parental consent to apply for a Full License. The parent must also certify that the teen has completed at least 10 hours of supervised driving while holding the Provisional License. Supervised driving must be completed with a licensed driver 21 or older.

Minnesota Teen Driving Laws and Enforcement

Phase I (Instruction Permit) holders must be accompanied by parent or guardian or designated driver 21 or older at all times. In addition, teens must abide by the following rules or risk license suspension or delayed licensing:

•    Licensee cannot operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver, age 25 or older
•    Licensee must not transport more than one passenger under the age of 20 for the first 6 months, unless the passengers are members of the licensee’s immediate family
•    During the second 6 months, no more than three passengers under age 20 are allowed in the car (immediate family members are allowed)

Minnesota Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

In the state of Minnesota, it is illegal for teens under the age of 18 to use a cell phone while driving. This includes hands free cell phone use and texting. For permit holders and provisional license holders under the age of 18, the penalties are severe for violating this law. You risk losing your driving privileges and you may have to pay fines of up to $300.

Minnesota Teen DUI Laws

The state of Minnesota operates under the “Not a Drop” law. This means that it is a crime for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle with any amount of alcohol in his system. A blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.02 is all that is needed to convict a teen of DUI. For a first offense, you will be charged with a misdemeanor, which carries a fine up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail. In addition, your license will be suspended anywhere from 30 days up to 180 days or more. Penalties for drunk driving could increase if the driver is unlicensed or carries a provisional license. Penalties for these cases are based on “Vanessa’s Law.” The provisions of Vanessa’s Law apply to drivers 18 and under.

Minnesota Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

In the state of Minnesota, the auto insurance laws for teens are the same as the auto insurance laws for all drivers – you must carry auto liability insurance at all times, or you risk fines and license suspension. In the state of Minnesota all drivers must carry basic liability insurance coverage with uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) bodily injury limits. This means that all Minnesota drivers must carry a combination of personal injury protection (PIP), liability, and UM/UIM in the following amounts:

•    $40,000 per person per accident for personal injury protection
•    Minimum auto liability insurance amount of 30/60/10 or $30,000 for injuries to one person, $60,000 for injuries to two or more people, and $10,000 for physical damage to the other driver’s vehicle or for damage to property
•    Uninsured motorist in the amounts of $25,000 for injuries to one person, and $50,000 for injuries to two or more people, and $25,000 for injuries to one person $50,000 for injuries to two or more people for underinsured motorist coverage

The risk of an auto accident is significantly higher during a teens first year behind the wheel. Because of this, Minnesota auto insurance companies recommend purchasing higher amounts of coverage than the legal limits. If you do not want to purchase a separate policy for your teen and you would rather add your teen driver to your existing policy, your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year. The average increase, however, is $2,171 a year.

Although auto insurance premiums will increase if you add a teen to your policy or purchasing teen auto insurance will always be pricier than other policies, there are ways to qualify for discounts on teen auto insurance. Auto insurance companies offer discounts ranging from 10-15% or more for:

•    Maintaining at least a B average
•    Successful completion of a state approved safe driver course

You can also lower your premiums on teen auto insurance if you avoid purchasing sports and luxury cars for your teen, if you opt for a higher deductible, or if you combine insurance policies into one (i.e. life, home, health, renter’s, etc.).