A Complete Driver Education Program Conducted by Certified Instructors
Attention :
Priority based budget reductions: The district shared the priority based budget reduction information with families on March 5. You can read the original message and view the priority budget reduction recommendations (updated April 2) here.
The district has also published an FAQ. This document will be updated as needed.
Driver Education
Phase 1:
Classroom Training
This is your first stop on the road to a driver’s license. The class meets for three hours a day, Monday through Friday for two weeks (30 hours). After finishing the classroom session, students will receive a “blue card”. The student will provide the blue card when applying for an instruction permit. Once the permit has been obtained, students should have their permit for 6 months before starting Behind-the-Wheel (Phase 2).
Please note: students can miss one day of Driver’s Ed Classroom and still pass the class. If a student misses more than one day for any reason (medical, school events, family emergencies), student will be required to repeat the entire course. In special circumstances, when families have been in communication with Community Education, payment can be transferred to the next session. If more than one class is missed and we have received no communication, it is the families responsibility to re-register their student and pay the full fee.
You can register online for both Classroom and Behind the Wheel, however, to schedule Behind the Wheel appointments, you must contact Marianne Moser for the scheduling link: mmoser@northfieldschools.org.
Paper registration forms are also available.
2025 Driver’s Education classroom sessions
January: January 2-January 15, 3-6pm (weekdays).
March: March 3-14, 2025, 6-9pm (weekdays)
Summer:
June 9-20, 2025 (no class June 19) 8-11:20am
June 9-20, 2025 (no class June 19) 12-3:20pm
July 28-August 8,2025, 8-11am
Our annual schedule for Driver’s Education Classroom sessions:
Winter/Spring- (2 sessions) January and March
Summer- (3 sessions) morning session in June, afternoon session in June and morning session in late July/early August
Fall- (1 session) October
Students must be 14 years, 9 months old before the first day of class.
All classes are held in person at Northfield High School.
Call 507.664.3648 with questions about the Northfield Community Education Driver’s Education program or to schedule your student’s Behind the Wheel appointments.
Phase 2:
Behind-the-Wheel Training
We offer Behind the Wheel appointments 5-7 days each week, year-around. To begin Behind the Wheel training, there are 3 steps:
- Completion of Phase 1 (30 hours of Classroom Training)
- Students must register and pay for Behind the Wheel.
- Contact Marianne Moser, Driver’s Education Coordinator, to request the scheduling link for Behind the Wheel appointments.
Marianne Moser: 507.664.3648 or mmoser@northfieldschools.org
Remember: the Combo Driving Package includes both Phase 1 and Phase 2. As every student is ready to drive at a different pace, it is each family’s responsibility to contact Marianne Moser, Enrichment Coordinator, to request access to the Behind the Wheel scheduling link when your student is ready.
We strongly recommend students have their permit for 6 months before scheduling Behind the Wheel appointments. State of Minnesota laws state that all students under the age of 19 years are required to have their permit for 6 months before taking their road test.
Register online or fill out a registration form from Community Education.
If you have any questions about Driver’s Education, contact Marianne Moser: 507.664.3648 or mmoser@northfieldschools.org
Other information:
- Before scheduling your Behind the Wheel appointments, most of the student’s Supervised Driving Log should be completed. We recommend scheduling your Behind the Wheel appointments 6-8 weeks before your road test.
- Our Behind the Wheel appointments are in 2 hour increments, and students drive the Northfield Public School’s BTW vehicle with the instructor.
- During the school year, appointments are available most days after school, Saturday mornings and occasionally on Sundays. Summer Behind the Wheel Appointment times vary between day and evening times.
- Each student needs 3 Behind the Wheel appointments. When your student is ready, contact Marianne Moser, Enrichment Coordinator, to request the scheduling link for appointments 507.664.3648 or mmoser@northfieldschools.org
- The Behind the Wheel schedule is created 6-8 weeks in advance. For example: in December, the February schedule will be available.
- Contact Marianne 12-16 weeks before your student expects to take their road test for appointments.
After successful completion of Behind-the-Wheel training, students will receive a certificate of completion “white card,” which is necessary, along with the completed Supervised Practice Driving Log, to apply for a driver’s license.
practice Cones Available
Cones are available for your family to use when practicing driving skills. Visit our office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to check out cones for two days at no charge. Please call 507-664-3649 for more information.
Driving Log State Requirements
Effective January 1, 2015, every driver under the age of 19 who completes behind the wheel instruction and is testing for a provisional driver’s license must submit a driving log. Parents/guardians have two options regarding the supervised driving log (see Option 1 & 2 below). The driving log must be presented at the time of the road test and submitted with the application for the provisional license.
Option 1: Complete a supplemental parent class provided by a driver education program approved in Minnesota (see Parent Awareness Presentation information), and then submit a supervised driving log showing their teen has completed at least 40 hours (2,400 minutes) of supervised driving, 15 (900 minutes) of which are nighttime hours.
Option 2: If the parent/guardian chooses to not complete the supplemental parent class, the driving log must show that their teen has completed at least 50 hours (3,000 minutes) of supervised driving, 15 (900 minutes) of which are nighttime hours.
Parent Awareness Presentation
Point of Impact is a free, supplemental curriculum night for parents held by Community Education. Presenters include the Rice County Sheriff’s office and one of our Community Education Driving instructors. We ask that parents register for the free presentation so that your certificate can be prepared in advance. Register here.