A Complete Driver Education Program Conducted by Certified Instructors
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. 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, the student can register for Behind-the-Wheel.
You can now register online for both Classroom and Behind the Wheel! Or fill out a paper registration form from the Community Education Center or on this page.
2023 classroom sessions
Winter/Spring 2023 registration is now open! Classes will be held in person at Northfield High School. The Winter session will meet on Tuesday-Tuesday, January 3 – January 17, 2023 from 3-6 p.m. The Spring session will meet on Monday-Friday, March 6-17, 2023, from 6-9p.m. Students should be 14 years, 9 months old before the first day of class to register.
Call 507.664.3649 with questions about registration or classes. Please register early to avoid disappointment.
Phase 2:
Behind-the-Wheel Training
The six-hour Behind-the-Wheel experience is available by appointment following completion of the classroom session. To register, students provide their instruction permit number and payment and can immediately schedule driving appointments.
Register online or fill out a registration form from the Community Education Center or online below.
The cost of the training is $257. After successful completion of Behind-the-Wheel training, students will receive a certificate of completion “white card,” which is necessary to apply for a driver’s license.
New! Cones Now 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 18 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 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 Sergeant Paul LaRoche from the Rice County Sheriff’s office and Community Education Driving Instructor Doug Bengtson.
Next presentation: Will be held in June 2023. Registration will open mid April.