What to Expect on Your First Driving Lesson

 A Step-by-Step Look at Your First Time Behind the Wheel with Today’s Driving School

Starting your first driving lesson is an exciting milestone. It can also feel a little intimidating. For many students, this is the first time they are sitting in the driver's seat with a professional instructor beside them, and it is completely normal to feel nervous.

The good news is that your first professional driving lesson is not about expecting you to already know everything. It is about taking the skills you have started practicing and building a strong foundation for the rest of your driver education.

At Today’s Driving School, our instructors understand that every student begins with a different level of experience. Some students arrive having spent considerable time practicing with a parent or guardian, while others may have much less experience behind the wheel. The goal is to meet the student where they are, establish safe habits, and gradually build the skills necessary for independent driving.

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Before Your First Lesson: Get Some Practice In

Before scheduling your first professional behind-the-wheel session, Today’s Driving School asks that parents and students practice together for at least 10 hours.

This time is valuable because professional instruction is most effective when students already have some familiarity with the basics of operating a vehicle.

Those initial practice hours give students an opportunity to become comfortable with things such as:

• Sitting in the driver's seat

• Starting and stopping the vehicle

• Steering

• Using the accelerator and brake

• Basic vehicle positioning

• Looking in the mirrors

• Using turn signals

• Becoming familiar with the vehicle's controls

The goal is not for a student to become an experienced driver before their first lesson. Instead, the practice provides an introduction to the fundamentals so that professional instruction can build on that foundation.

Parents and guardians also play an important role during this stage. Practice should take place in appropriate locations and under conditions that match the student's experience level. Starting somewhere quiet and controlled can help a new driver concentrate on learning the vehicle without immediately having to manage heavy traffic.

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Starting Your First Lesson

When the instructor arrives for your first lesson, it is normal to feel a combination of excitement and nerves.

Try not to think of the lesson as a test. Your instructor is not expecting you to perform perfectly from the beginning.

Instead, the first lesson is an opportunity for your instructor to understand where you are in the learning process.

Your instructor may ask questions about:

• How much you've practiced

• What parts of driving you are comfortable with

• What situations make you nervous

• Whether you've driven in different types of traffic

• What areas you would like additional help with

This conversation gives your instructor useful information before the vehicle begins moving.

The more honestly you communicate, the better your instructor can tailor the lesson to your current abilities.

If you have never driven before, say so. If you are uncomfortable with a particular maneuver, let your instructor know. There is no benefit to pretending you are more experienced than you actually are.

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Getting Familiar with the Vehicle

One of the first things students can expect is an introduction to the vehicle they will be driving.

Before moving, your instructor will help you become familiar with important controls and equipment.

This can include identifying:

• Turn signals

• Headlights

• High beams

• Windshield wipers

• Windshield washer controls

• Hazard lights

• Horn

• Parking brake or emergency brake

• Gear selector

• Accelerator and brake pedals

• Defroster

• Fan and temperature controls

• Mirror adjustments

You may already know where some of these controls are. Others may be completely new.

This step can seem simple, but it is extremely important.

Imagine needing to activate the windshield wipers during a sudden rainstorm but not knowing which control operates them. Or needing to turn on the defroster during a Minnesota winter and having to search through unfamiliar dashboard controls.

A driver should be able to operate the vehicle's basic equipment without taking unnecessary attention away from the road.

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Adjusting Your Seat and Mirrors

Before the vehicle moves, your instructor will also help you establish a proper driving position.

This means adjusting the driver's seat so that you can comfortably reach the pedals and maintain control of the vehicle.

You will also adjust the mirrors to provide the best possible view around the vehicle.

The inside rearview mirror should provide a clear view behind the vehicle, while the side mirrors should be positioned to reduce blind areas.

Your instructor may explain why the mirrors are positioned the way they are rather than simply adjusting them for you.

Learning to set up your own driving position is an important part of becoming an independent driver.

Every time you drive a different vehicle, the seat and mirrors may need to be adjusted again. Learning how to do this yourself is a basic skill that you will continue using for years.

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Learning How the Vehicle Responds

Once you are properly positioned and familiar with the controls, you can begin learning how the vehicle responds to your inputs.

One of the first things a new driver discovers is that a vehicle does not always respond exactly as they expect.

The accelerator may be more sensitive than anticipated. The brakes may feel stronger or softer than another vehicle the student has practiced in. The steering wheel may require smaller movements than expected.

This is why the first lesson often focuses on simple movements.

Students need an opportunity to learn:

• How much pressure is needed on the accelerator

• How much pressure is needed to stop smoothly

• How quickly the vehicle responds

• How far the vehicle moves with small steering inputs

• How the vehicle's size affects positioning

These are not insignificant skills. They form the foundation for everything else a driver will eventually do.

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Starting and Stopping

Starting and stopping are some of the first fundamental skills students will practice.

Your instructor may work with you on:

1. Checking that the area around the vehicle is clear.

2. Releasing the parking brake when appropriate.

3. Selecting the correct gear.

4. Checking your surroundings.

5. Applying the accelerator smoothly.

6. Maintaining control as the vehicle begins moving.

7. Gradually applying the brake.

8. Coming to a controlled stop.

Students sometimes assume that starting and stopping should be easy because they appear simple.

However, smooth braking takes practice.

A new driver may initially brake too hard, stop too early, or wait too long before beginning to slow down. With practice, students learn to judge distance and apply the appropriate amount of pressure.

These skills become increasingly important as driving environments become more complicated.

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Learning Steering and Vehicle Position

Steering is another major focus of early instruction.

Students will begin learning how their steering inputs affect the vehicle's path and how to maintain an appropriate lane position.

At Today’s Driving School, we teach students the hand-over-hand steering method when appropriate for turns and low-speed maneuvers.

Students also learn to make controlled steering movements rather than making abrupt corrections.

Early practice may involve simple movements such as:

• Driving straight

• Making gentle turns

• Maintaining lane position

• Turning into and out of intersections

• Correcting vehicle position when necessary

The objective is not simply to turn the steering wheel. It is to develop an understanding of where the vehicle is in relation to the roadway.

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Looking Beyond the Hood

One of the biggest differences between being a passenger and being a driver is the amount of information the driver needs to process.

A passenger can simply sit back and observe.

A driver must continuously evaluate what is happening around the vehicle.

Your instructor will begin encouraging you to look farther ahead and scan the roadway rather than focusing only on the area immediately in front of the vehicle.

This can include looking for:

• Traffic signals

• Stop signs

• Pedestrians

• Other vehicles

• Parked vehicles

• Intersections

• Driveways

• Bicyclists

• Roadway changes

• Potential hazards

Developing this habit early is important because good drivers are constantly gathering information.

You should not wait until you are directly next to a hazard to notice it.

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Learning to Use Mirrors

Mirror use is another skill that begins early and becomes increasingly important as driving becomes more complex.

Your instructor may explain the difference between simply looking at a mirror and actually using the information the mirror provides.

Drivers should regularly check their surroundings and understand what is happening behind and beside the vehicle.

As students progress, mirror use becomes especially important before:

• Changing lanes

• Turning

• Slowing or stopping

• Pulling away from a curb

• Entering traffic

• Backing

You will also learn that mirrors do not eliminate blind spots.

A shoulder check may still be necessary before certain maneuvers.

The goal is to develop a consistent observation routine rather than checking mirrors only when an instructor reminds you.

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Your First Lesson May Take Place in a Low-Traffic Area

Do not be surprised if your instructor does not immediately take you onto a busy roadway.

There is a reason for this.

A new driver has a limited amount of attention available. If you are still thinking about which pedal to use, how far to turn the steering wheel, and where to look, adding heavy traffic can create unnecessary difficulty.

Starting in a quieter environment allows students to concentrate on the fundamentals.

As those skills become more comfortable, the instructor can gradually introduce additional challenges.

This progression may eventually include:

• Residential streets

• Busier intersections

• Multi-lane roads

• Higher-speed roadways

• More complex traffic situations

The exact progression will depend on the student's experience, comfort level, and skill development.

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You May Make Mistakes

This is perhaps the most important thing to remember about your first lesson.

You are learning.

You may turn too wide.

You may brake too hard.

You may forget a turn signal.

You may need a reminder to check a mirror.

You may not position the vehicle exactly where you intended.

That does not mean you are failing at driving.

Mistakes provide information about what needs additional practice.

Your instructor's job is to identify those areas, explain what needs to change, and give you opportunities to try again.

The important thing is to listen to feedback and remain willing to correct mistakes.

Trying to hide a mistake or becoming frustrated with yourself can make learning more difficult. Instead, treat each correction as another piece of information that will help you improve.

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Communication With Your Instructor Matters

Your instructor cannot know exactly what you are thinking unless you communicate.

• If you are confused, ask.

• If you do not understand an instruction, ask for clarification.

• If something about the vehicle feels uncomfortable, say something.

• If you are nervous about a particular situation, let your instructor know.

Good communication can make a significant difference in the learning experience.

For example, saying, "I'm not sure what you want me to do here," gives your instructor an opportunity to clarify the instruction before you continue.

It is much better to ask a question than to make an uncertain decision because you were afraid to speak up.

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What Your Instructor Is Watching For

During the first lesson, your instructor is looking at much more than whether you can make the vehicle move.

They are beginning to evaluate your overall driving habits and identify areas where additional instruction will be helpful.

This can include:

• Vehicle control

• Steering

• Braking

• Acceleration

• Lane positioning

• Mirror use

• Visual scanning

• Following instructions

• Awareness of surrounding traffic

• Ability to recognize hazards

• Decision-making

• Comfort level behind the wheel

The instructor may also notice habits that you do not realize you have developed.

For example, a student might consistently look too close in front of the vehicle, make steering corrections too late, or forget to check mirrors before certain maneuvers.

Identifying those habits early gives the instructor an opportunity to address them before they become ingrained.

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Your First Lesson Is Not About Doing Everything

A common misconception is that a student should leave their first lesson knowing how to handle every possible driving situation.

That is not realistic.

Learning to drive is a process.

Your first lesson establishes a foundation. Later lessons can build upon that foundation with increasingly complicated skills and situations.

You may eventually work on:

• Lane changes

• Intersections

• Right-of-way

• Parking

• Backing

• Parallel parking

• Residential driving

• Highway driving

• Heavy traffic

• Inclement weather

• Defensive driving

• More complex roadway environments

Those skills do not all need to be mastered during the first session.

A strong first lesson is one where the student begins developing safe habits and understands what they need to continue practicing.

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What Parents Can Do After the Lesson

Parents and guardians remain an important part of a student's development after professional instruction.

Ask your student what they worked on and review the driving evaluation sheet that instructors hand out after the first session with notes on your students driving behaviors. 

Rather than immediately asking, "Did you do good?" consider questions such as:

• What did your instructor have you practice?

• What felt comfortable?

• What felt difficult?

• What do you want to practice next?

• Did your instructor give you anything specific to work on?

This encourages the student to think about their learning rather than simply viewing the lesson as something that happened to them.

When practicing together, parents should also try to reinforce the techniques taught by the professional instructor.

If the instructor teaches a specific steering, observation, or lane-change routine, consistency between professional lessons and home practice can help the student develop stronger habits.

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Remember That Everyone Learns at a Different Pace

Some students become comfortable behind the wheel quickly.

Others need more time.

Neither situation automatically indicates whether someone will become a good driver.

Learning to drive involves coordination, observation, decision-making, confidence, and experience. Those skills develop at different rates for different people.

A student who feels nervous during their first lesson may become much more comfortable after several additional sessions.

Likewise, a student who feels confident immediately still needs continued practice and instruction to develop safe habits.

The goal is steady progress, not comparing yourself to another student.

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How to Get the Most Out of Your First Lesson

A little preparation can make your first professional lesson more productive.

Before arriving:

• Get adequate rest.

• Eat something if needed.

• Wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear.

• Bring your instruction permit and any required documentation.

• Review the basic controls of the vehicle you will be driving.

• Think about anything you are particularly nervous about.

• Be prepared to listen and ask questions.

Most importantly, arrive with the understanding that you are there to learn.

You do not need to know everything.

You do not need to be perfect.

You simply need to be willing to practice, listen to feedback, and improve.

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Final Thoughts

Your first driving lesson is the beginning of a process, not a measurement of what kind of driver you will eventually become.

You may leave your first lesson feeling excited. You may leave feeling like you have a lot to learn. You may experience both feelings at the same time.

That is completely normal.

Learning to drive takes time because there is a lot more involved than simply moving a vehicle from one place to another. You are learning how to observe your surroundings, anticipate what other road users may do, make decisions, control the vehicle, and respond appropriately when conditions change.

With professional instruction, continued practice, and support from the people helping you learn, those skills can develop one step at a time.

At Today's Driving School, our goal is to help students establish that foundation from the beginning and continue building on it throughout their driver education experience.

Your first lesson does not need to be perfect.

It just needs to be the first step. 

For more information about behind-the-wheel instruction or to start your drivers education program, Visit us at our website todaysdrivingschool.com or call us at (844) 374-8315 with any questions.

Jacob Ahner
Driving Instructor

How to Prepare Your Car for a Driving Test

 A Minnesota Driver's Guide to Making Sure Your Vehicle Is Road-Test Ready

Preparing for a driving test usually brings one thing to mind: practicing your driving skills. You may spend weeks working on turns, parking, lane changes, intersections, and other everyday driving situations.

However, there is another part of test-day preparation that is easy to overlook: the vehicle itself.

In Minnesota, the vehicle you bring to your road test must be in safe working condition and meet certain requirements before the driving portion of the test can begin. A student may be completely prepared to demonstrate their driving skills, but a vehicle problem can prevent the test from moving forward.

That makes checking the car ahead of time just as important as gathering your paperwork and confirming your appointment.

Preparing the vehicle does not require a complicated mechanical inspection. Instead, the goal is to make sure the basic safety equipment works, the vehicle is legal to operate, the interior is ready for an examiner, and the driver knows how to operate the controls they may be asked to demonstrate.

Here are some of the most important things Minnesota drivers should check before road-test day.

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Start With a Vehicle You Know

Whenever possible, use a vehicle you have practiced driving before.

A driving test already comes with enough pressure without adding an unfamiliar vehicle to the situation. Even two vehicles of similar size can feel very different behind the wheel.

Differences may include:

• Brake sensitivity

• Accelerator response

• Steering feel

• Vehicle length and width

• Mirror placement

• Visibility

• Turning radius

• Location of dashboard controls

• Parking brake design

A driver who normally practices in a compact sedan, for example, may find that switching to a larger SUV on test day changes how they judge parking spaces, corners, and vehicle position.

Familiarity also matters when the examiner asks the driver to identify or operate equipment.

Before test day, you should know where to find and how to operate:

• Headlights

• High and low beams

• Turn signals

• Hazard lights

• Windshield wipers

• Defroster

• Fan controls

• Horn

• Parking brake

You should not have to search around the dashboard trying to figure out how the vehicle works while the examiner waits.

If you will be using a different vehicle than the one you normally practice in, spend some time becoming familiar with it beforehand.

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Make Sure the Vehicle Is Properly Registered and Insured

Vehicle preparation is not limited to mechanical conditions.

Before leaving for the test, verify that the vehicle has current registration or otherwise meets Minnesota's registration requirements. You will also need current proof of insurance for the vehicle being used.

Do this several days before the appointment rather than waiting until you are sitting in the parking lot of the exam station.

Locate the insurance information and confirm that:

• The policy is current.

• It applies to the vehicle you are bringing.

• You have acceptable proof available.

• The vehicle registration is current.

Minnesota accepts several forms of proof of insurance, including qualifying electronic proof, but having everything organized before arriving can make the check-in process much easier.

If you plan to use a rental vehicle, additional requirements apply. The person taking the test must be listed as a driver on the rental agreement.

Do not assume that simply having access to a vehicle means it is automatically suitable for the road test.

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Check Every Exterior Light

A burned-out bulb is a relatively small vehicle repair, but it can become a major inconvenience if it is discovered immediately before a road test.

Minnesota requires the vehicle's necessary lighting equipment to work properly.

Before your appointment, check:

• Low-beam headlights

• High-beam headlights

• Taillights

• Brake lights

• Left turn signal

• Right turn signal

• Hazard lights

Some of these are easier to check with another person.

Have someone stand outside the vehicle while you activate each light. For brake lights, press the brake pedal while the other person confirms that the lights illuminate.

Do not check only the night before your test and assume everything will still be fine. A quick second inspection before leaving home takes only a few minutes.

Know How Your Headlights Work

Modern vehicles can make this slightly more complicated because many have automatic headlights.

Even if the vehicle normally handles the headlights automatically, the driver should know how to manually operate the high and low beams.

Take a moment before test day to identify:

• The headlight switch

• The high-beam control

• The dashboard indicator showing that high beams are on

• How to return the headlights to low beams

Being familiar with your vehicle's controls is part of being prepared to operate it safely.

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Test the Brake Lights and Brakes

Brake lights communicate with drivers behind you, so they need to work correctly.

As mentioned earlier, have another person verify that the brake lights illuminate when the pedal is pressed.

While preparing the vehicle, also pay attention to how the brakes themselves feel during normal driving.

Warning signs that should be evaluated before the test include:

• Grinding sounds

• Unusual squealing

• A brake pedal that feels unusually soft

• Strong vibration while braking

• The vehicle pulling noticeably to one side

• Significantly reduced braking performance

A road-test appointment is not the time to discover that the vehicle needs brake work.

If something feels abnormal, have the vehicle inspected by someone qualified to determine whether it is safe to drive.

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Make Sure Both Doors Work Properly

This requirement is easy to overlook because most drivers rarely think about whether their doors function from both directions.

For a Minnesota road test, the vehicle's doors must open from both the inside and outside.

Pay particular attention to the front passenger door because that is where the examiner will enter and exit the vehicle.

Before the appointment:

1. Open the driver's door from outside.

2. Close it and open it from inside.

3. Do the same with the front passenger door.

4. Make sure each door closes and latches securely.

If a door handle is broken, a locking mechanism is malfunctioning, or the passenger door cannot be opened normally, address the issue before test day.

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Inspect the Seat Belts

Seat belts must work properly.

Check both the driver's and front passenger's seat belts before your appointment.

Each belt should:

• Pull out normally

• Buckle securely

• Release correctly

• Retract appropriately

• Be free of obvious damage

For safety, the car should be kept clear of anything that is loose and could fly around in the event of a crash.

The examiner needs a safe and functional seating position just like any other occupant of the vehicle.

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Know How to Use the Parking Brake

The emergency or parking brake is part of the vehicle equipment a Minnesota road-test applicant may be asked to demonstrate.

Parking brakes vary considerably between vehicles.

Your vehicle may have:

• A traditional hand lever

• A foot-operated parking brake

• An electronic parking brake switch

Know where yours is located and how to engage and release it correctly.

Electronic parking brakes can sometimes behave differently depending on whether the vehicle is running, whether the brake pedal is pressed, or whether the transmission is in a certain position. If you normally let the vehicle handle this automatically, practice manually operating the system before your test.

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Check the Windshield and Wipers

Clear visibility is essential for safe driving.

Make sure the windshield is reasonably clean inside and outside. Dirt, fingerprints, frost, salt residue, and streaks can become especially distracting when sunlight hits the glass.

Then test the windshield wipers.

Check that:

• Both wipers operate.

• The blades move smoothly.

• They clear the windshield effectively.

• Torn or damaged wiper blades should be replaced before the test.

• Also make sure that windshield wiper fluid is full and spraying correctly 

It is also a good idea to check the windshield washer fluid.

Minnesota weather can change quickly, and a clear windshield matters whether you encounter rain, snow, road spray, or dusty conditions on your way to the exam station.

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Test the Defroster and Fan Controls

Minnesota's Driver's Manual specifically identifies the windshield defroster and fan controls as equipment drivers should know how to operate during the vehicle safety demonstration.

This is particularly relevant in Minnesota, where fogged or frosted windows can become a problem during much of the year.

Before test day, know:

• Which control activates the front windshield defroster

• How to change the fan speed

• How to adjust temperature

• How to direct airflow toward the windshield

Even if your road test happens on a beautiful summer afternoon, knowing how to use these systems demonstrates familiarity with the vehicle.

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Adjust and Inspect the Mirrors

Your mirrors should be intact, clean, and positioned so you can use them effectively.

Before beginning the test, adjust:

• The inside rearview mirror

• The driver's side mirror

• The passenger side mirror

Make these adjustments before the vehicle starts moving.

If several family members use the same vehicle, do not assume the mirrors will already be in the correct position when you arrive.

Drivers differ in height, seating position, and viewing angle. A mirror setup that works perfectly for a parent may provide poor visibility for a teen driver.

As mentioned previously, the car needs to be kept clear of anything that could fly around in a crash and cause injury to yourself or passengers. 

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Adjust the Driver's Seat Before You Begin

The driver's seat should allow you to comfortably reach the pedals and steering wheel while maintaining good visibility.

Before the test begins, adjust the seat so that:

• You can fully operate the brake and accelerator.

• You can comfortably control the steering wheel.

• You can clearly see the roadway.

• You can check mirrors without straining.

• Your seat belt fits properly.

If the vehicle has power seats, make sure the controls work and that you know how to use them.

Seat positioning is not something you want to figure out halfway through your appointment.

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Check the Horn

Your horn is another piece of safety equipment you may be asked to operate.

A quick test before your appointment can confirm that it works.

You do not need to repeatedly honk the horn in your driveway at 7:00 in the morning, but it is worth making sure there is not an unexpected problem before arriving at the exam station.

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Look at Your Tires

Although you do not need to become a tire technician before your road test, a basic visual inspection is worthwhile.

Walk around the vehicle and look for:

• Obviously low tires

• Visible damage

• Bulges

• Severe or uneven tread wear

• Objects embedded in the tire

If a tire-pressure warning light is illuminated, check the tire pressure and address the reason for the warning.

Tires play an important role in steering, braking, and vehicle control. Minnesota's changing weather also makes adequate traction particularly important.

If you are unsure whether a tire is safe, have it checked before using the vehicle for the test.

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Check the Dashboard for Warning Lights

When you start the vehicle, several dashboard lights normally illuminate briefly and then turn off.

Pay attention if a warning remains illuminated.

Examples may include warnings related to:

• Brakes

• Tire pressure

• Engine operation

• Charging system

• Oil pressure

• Airbags

Not every dashboard light automatically means that a vehicle is unsafe, but ignoring an unexplained warning before a driving test is not a good idea.

Consult the owner's manual or have the vehicle checked if you do not know what the warning means.

A vehicle being used for a road test should be one you have reasonable confidence is safe and mechanically dependable.

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Make Sure You Have Enough Fuel

This sounds obvious, but test-day nerves can make people overlook simple things.

Check the fuel level before your appointment.

Minnesota's vehicle safety demonstration includes familiarity with the fuel gauge, and showing up with the vehicle nearly empty creates unnecessary stress.

If the gauge is low, fill up beforehand rather than planning to stop for fuel immediately before the test.

For an electric vehicle, the same principle applies: arrive with an adequate charge.

The goal is to eliminate avoidable distractions so your attention can stay on the test itself.

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Clean Out the Interior

You do not need to have the car professionally detailed, but the passenger area should be clean, safe, and reasonably organized.

Minnesota does not allow loose objects in the vehicle during the test if they could break or cause injury.

Remove or secure things such as:

• Water bottles

• Tools

• Sports equipment

• Heavy bags

• Loose decorations

• Items sitting on the dashboard

• Objects rolling around on the floor

• Anything obstructing the driver's footwell

Pay particular attention to the area around the pedals.

Nothing should be able to slide underneath the brake or accelerator.

Also clear the front passenger seat and footwell for the examiner.

Preparing the interior is not about impressing anyone with a spotless vehicle. It is about removing potential hazards and making sure both the driver and examiner have a safe environment because let’s face it, examiners are people too, and a clean fresh smelling vehicle forms a good first impression and will make the examiner more comfortable. 

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Make Sure the Vehicle Is Smoke-Free

Minnesota prohibits smoking during the road test, and the vehicle must be smoke-free before the examiner enters.

If smoking normally occurs in the vehicle, plan ahead rather than assuming that opening the windows immediately before the appointment will solve the problem.

The road-test vehicle should be prepared in advance so the examiner can enter without an issue.

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Remove Passengers and Pets Before the Test

Passengers are not allowed to ride along during the Minnesota road test.

That includes:

• Parents

• Friends

• Children

• Pets

• Interpreters

A parent or other accompanying licensed driver must accompany the applicant to the testing location, but they are not allowed to accompany the applicant during the actual driving test.

Plan for this beforehand.

If the family dog normally rides everywhere with you, test day is probably a good day for the dog to stay home.

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Understand Your Vehicle's Technology Before Test Day

Modern vehicles may include:

• Backup cameras

• Parking sensors

• Blind spot monitoring

• Lane departure warnings

• Automatic emergency braking

• Adaptive cruise control

• Parking assistance

Technology can be useful, but drivers still need to demonstrate their own observation and vehicle-control skills.

Backup Cameras

Minnesota permits a vehicle with a backup camera to be used for the test. However, the camera should not be the driver's only method of observation while backing.

Drivers should still use appropriate visual observation rather than staring exclusively at the dashboard screen.

Parking Assist

Vehicles equipped with parking-assist technology can be used, but the parking-assist feature cannot be used to complete the parallel-parking portion of the road test.

If your vehicle automatically activates certain parking features, learn how those systems work before your appointment.

You do not want to discover during the test that you are unsure how to disable or avoid relying on a feature.

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Check Anything Required by Your Permit or License Restrictions

Some drivers have restrictions requiring particular vehicle equipment or accommodations.

If your permit or license contains an equipment-related restriction, the required equipment generally needs to be working when you take the test unless the purpose of the test is to remove that restriction.

Review your permit before test day.

If you do not understand a restriction listed on it, contact Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services before your appointment instead of trying to figure it out at the testing location.

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Do a Complete Walk-Around the Day Before

One of the easiest ways to prepare is to perform a simple walk-around inspection the day before the test.

Start outside the vehicle and work your way around it.

Exterior

Check:

• Headlights

• High beams

• Taillights

• Brake lights

• Turn signals

• Hazard lights

• Tires

• Doors

• Mirrors

• Windshield

Interior

Check:

• Seat belts

• Driver's seat adjustment

• Parking brake

• Horn

• Windshield wipers

• Defroster

• Fan controls

• Fuel gauge

• Dashboard warning lights

• Loose items

Then confirm your registration and proof of insurance.

This entire check may take only a few minutes, but doing it ahead of time gives you an opportunity to fix something if a problem appears.

Discovering a burned-out brake light the evening before the test is inconvenient.

Discovering a burned-out brake light the evening before the test is inconvenient, discovering it when the examiner checks the vehicles means failing the test. 

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Take a Short Drive Before Test Day

After checking the equipment, take the vehicle for a normal practice drive.

Pay attention to whether anything feels or sounds unusual.

Does the vehicle:

• Start normally?

• Accelerate smoothly?

• Brake normally?

• Steer properly?

• Track straight?

• Shift normally?

• Produce any unfamiliar noises?

This is also an opportunity to make sure you feel comfortable with the seating position, mirrors, brakes, and general dimensions of the vehicle.

The purpose is not to perform a simulated road test. It is simply to confirm that the vehicle you intend to bring is familiar and functioning normally.

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Have a Backup Plan

Vehicles are machines, and sometimes things break at inconvenient times.

If possible, know whether another suitable vehicle would be available if something unexpectedly goes wrong before the appointment.

A flat tire, dead battery, broken light, or mechanical problem the morning of the test can quickly change your plans.

Any backup vehicle should still meet Minnesota's requirements, have appropriate registration and insurance, and ideally be something the applicant has practiced driving.

Switching vehicles at the last minute is not ideal, but having a plan can reduce unnecessary panic if a problem occurs.

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A Simple Road-Test Vehicle Checklist

A few days before your Minnesota road test, confirm the following:

Vehicle Condition

• Doors open properly from the inside and outside.

• Driver and passenger seat belts work.

• Headlights and high beams work.

• Taillights work.

• Brake lights work.

• Both turn signals work.

• Hazard lights work.

• Horn works.

• Windshield wipers operate properly.

• Windshield defroster and fan work.

• Mirrors are intact and adjustable.

• Parking brake works.

• Tires appear safe and properly inflated.

• No serious mechanical concerns are present.

• The vehicle has adequate fuel or charge.

Vehicle Interior

• Passenger seat and footwell are clear.

• Driver's footwell is clear.

• Loose or potentially dangerous objects have been removed or secured.

• Windshield and mirrors are clean.

• Vehicle is smoke-free.

• No passengers or pets will remain in the vehicle during the test.

Documents and Legal Requirements

• Vehicle registration is current.

• Current proof of insurance is available.

• The applicant has a valid instruction permit.

• Any additional documents required for the applicant's age or licensing situation are ready.

• If using a rental vehicle, the applicant is listed appropriately on the rental agreement.

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The Morning of the Test

On test day, give yourself enough time that preparing the car does not feel rushed.

Before leaving home:

1. Check the fuel level.

2. Walk around the vehicle.

3. Look at the tires.

4. Confirm that no warning lights indicate an unexpected problem.

5. Recheck the lights if possible.

6. Make sure your documents are with you.

7. Remove anything from the vehicle that does not need to be there.

Arriving early and organized will not guarantee the outcome of a road test, but it can prevent unnecessary stress caused by something that could have been handled before leaving home.

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Final Thoughts

Preparing for a driving test involves more than practicing behind the wheel.

The vehicle is part of the process, too.

A road-test vehicle should be safe, legal, familiar to the driver, and ready for the examiner's safety-equipment check. Taking a little time beforehand to inspect lights, seat belts, doors, controls, mirrors, tires, paperwork, and the interior can prevent a minor oversight from disrupting an important appointment.

Just as importantly, knowing how your vehicle works is part of becoming an independent driver. Understanding your headlights, parking brake, defroster, mirrors, warning lights, and other safety equipment will continue to matter long after the road test is over.

At Today's Driving School, we encourage students to prepare for driving beyond simply completing the licensing requirements. Familiarity with your vehicle, good observation habits, and regular safety checks are all part of responsible vehicle ownership and everyday driving.

Before your road test, take the time to practice your driving skills, gather the documents you need, and give your car a thorough check.

Then you can arrive knowing that both you and your vehicle are prepared for the day ahead. 

For information about driver education programs and behind-the-wheel instruction, Visit us at our website todaysdrivingschool.com or call us at (844) 374-8315 with any questions.

Jacob Ahner
Driving Instructor