Driver's Education

Classroom instruction prepares students to take the Minnesota permit test and begin the responsibility of driving. The 30 hours of classroom time is structured into 10 independent lessons. Students must be on time for all classes. If a student misses a class, they may complete the missed lesson during the next series or at one of Safeway’s other locations. After completing classroom instruction, students that are 15 years old are eligible to take their permit test at any Minnesota exam center. The permit test is not provided during the class. Students may take the class at age 14 ½ but cannot take their permit test until age 15. No transportation is available for the classroom instruction.

Behind-the-wheel instruction includes six hours of driving in three, two-hour private lessons. All driving is done in a real car on city streets, highways and freeways with a responsible, licensed Safeway instructor. Safeway recommends students take their first lesson two to three weeks after receiving their permit. The lessons should be a minimum of 30 days apart to allow for practice driving. The lessons can be completed up to one year after completing classroom instruction. Scheduling is offered online for your convenience. All of Safeway’s cars are white with identical graphics, so parents and students will know that it is a Safeway car picking up the student for a lesson. Students can be picked up for their behind-the-wheel lesson from home, school or work.

Parent involvement is required to create safe, responsible teen drivers. It is critical that parents plan to practice regularly with their new student drivers. The state requires that students have a minimum of 50 hours of practice (15 hours at night). The practice time must be recorded on a state-approved Supervised Driving log and presented at the road test.

Safeway offers a 90-minute Parent Class via Zoom. Information about the parent classes will be sent home with students on the first day of class. Parent classes are not required but recommended. The class qualifies to receive a certificate that reduces the student’s required practice time by 10 hours. For more information, visit Safeway’s website.