Safeway Driving School has been creating safe, responsible teen drivers for more than 50 years. Minnetonka Community Education partners with Safeway to offer classes that emphasize defensive driving techniques.

Instruction: Our program includes 30 hours of instruction, as required by law, in 10, three-hour lessons. Students can start classes at age 14½, obtain their permit at age 15 and license at age 16. The curriculum includes study guides, PowerPoint instruction, videos, discussion, worksheets and interactive software. Classes focus on critical behaviors and attitudes common to teen drivers and prepare them for the Minnesota Permit Exam.

Online Learning Information: The State of Minnesota requires that driver’s education distance learning be conducted in a face-to-face platform, which requires that students have a video camera and audio capabilities on their devices. Safeway has chosen a secure Zoom platform to conduct the class. Safeway will be emailing the classroom handouts and 2022 MN Driver’s Manual in pdf format for printing. Students will be required to be in front of the camera and interactive for the full three-hour class.

Behind-the-Wheel Instruction: Students must complete six hours of driving lessons with a Safeway instructor before taking the Minnesota Road Exam. Lessons are divided into three, two-hour private lessons with a responsible, professional Safeway driving instructor. Students can be picked up and dropped off at home, school or work. Safeway offers convenient, online scheduling for behind-the-wheel instruction. The lessons are given on actual city streets, highways and freeways. It is recommended that students take their first lesson 6-8 weeks after receiving their permit. Lessons should be at least 30 days apart allowing for practice with parents between lessons and can be scheduled with Safeway Driving School.

Parent Involvement: Safeway offers detailed information on its website to assist parents with understanding Minnesota laws and requirements for student drivers. Monthly parent information classes are offered online.

Parents/guardians will be required to complete Safeway’s Account Verification. Safeway will be sending out an email before class begins that gives detailed information about how to log in to the student’s Safeway account to verify and complete contact information and to review and acknowledge our Service Agreement.

Need to make up a lesson? Any student that misses a class will need to log on to their Safeway account after they have missed the class, they will then be able to choose an upcoming make-up day option. Questions? contact info@safewaydrivingschool.com