Minors must be enrolled in a behind-the-wheel program before they can take the Knowledge Exam (written test) to obtain their Instructional Permit. Being on a waitlist does not qualify you to receive a blue card. 

Prerequisite: Students who are at least 15 years of age and have completed Driver Education Classroom. 

Students who are registered for BTW through Centennial before classroom ends, and are at least 15 years old, will receive their blue e-card within 1-2 business days of classroom completion. Students must have passed their written test and be in possession of their Instructional Permit prior to their first scheduled driving lesson. When choosing your behind-the-wheel lesson schedule, please be mindful of when the student will complete classroom and when behind-the-wheel is scheduled to start to allow for enough time in between to obtain the Instructional Permit and ideally get in some practice driving time prior to their first lesson.

Behind-the-wheel consists of 6 hours of hands-on instruction. Licensed staff will guide new drivers through proper driving techniques and skills including right and left turns, 90-degree backing, parallel parking, traffic lights and stop signs, lane changes, one-way, right of way, emergency stop, and much more. Lessons take place using District owned, mid-sized vehicles.

Lesson Information:  All lessons start and end at the front of the CHS/West Building. Meet your instructor on the sidewalk just to the right of the main entrance by the visitor parking spaces. Lessons with Mickey Bluedorn are two-on-one for six, 2-hour lessons with one hour driving and one hour observing while the other student is driving. Lessons with Matt Fenno are one-on-one for three, 2-hour lessons. When a course section lists a month in the title with no dates noted, that means the instructor will contact you directly to coordinate dates and times for driving to be completed during that month window. Those lessons are typically 8-10 am or 10 am-12 pm. If specific dates and times are listed, that is your driving schedule. You must be able to drive on all dates listed.

Space is very limited. If you are unable to secure a behind-the-wheel enrollment through Centennial, please look for a full listing of public and private school program locations, as well as licensed driver training school locations in the state of Minnesota, for both phases of the driver education instruction process.  Please visit Driver and Vehicle Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.  

To schedule a knowledge test, go to drive.mn.gov, and follow the prompts. We have heard that these appointments may schedule out some distance. Bring the correct documentation to your appointment and don't forget to pre-apply for your learner's permit to save time at the DMV office.

Once registered for BTW and a blue e-card issued, you must remain enrolled for BTW or risk having your permit revoked. For this reason, there are no refunds or cancellations allowed once a blue e-card has been issued.

Changes to enrollment are very difficult as this program fills quickly leaving little to no room for rescheduling. If we are able to make a change, there is a $20 fee.

If you have been unable to pass the knowledge test, please notify Community Education immediately.

Student must have their permit with them for each driving session. If you forget your permit you cannot drive, that counts as a no show resulting in a $93 fee.