Question: I have a 15-year-old son and we just signed him up for driver’s training. I was told that a State Trooper provides a presentation for the parents and new drivers. Can you explain what this presentation consists of and is this mandatory?
Answer: There is a presentation called Point Of Impact and I am one of the troopers who present it in the Duluth area. The class will increase parent awareness of teen driving risks, Minnesota’s teen driver laws, and the important role parents play in developing a safer teen driver. Attending the presentation is to encourage new drivers and their parents, but it’s not required.
In Minnesota, 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. The log must show a minimum of 50 hours of behind the wheel driving with an adult, with 15 of those hours being at night. If a parent attends a Point Of Impact presentation that is offered throughout the state, 40 hours are required versus 50 hours.
Minnesota driver education providers (schools) must provide a “Supplemental Parental Curriculum” to any parent/guardian who chooses to receive it.
At a minimum, the supplemental parental curriculum must:
1. Be at least 90 minutes in length,
2. Be provided by or in the presence of a driver education instructor, and
3. Provide information concerning graduated driver licensing, safety risks associated with novice drivers, potential influence of adults on novice driver behaviors, and additional resources.
Parents/guardians should contact their local driver education providers (schools) to obtain information on upcoming parent awareness classes.
Traffic crashes are the second leading cause of teen deaths in Minnesota. Each year, more than 30 teens (ages 16–19) are killed on Minnesota roads.
It takes a commitment by parents and many hours to prepare teen drivers to get behind the wheel. Parent involvement has proven to reduce teen-related crashes.
If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws in Minnesota, please send your questions to: Sgt. Neil Dickenson – Minnesota State Patrol, 1131 Mesaba Ave, Duluth, MN 55811. Or reach me at neil.dickenson@state.mn.us
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