Rick Zollner, Instructor
Classroom Instruction and Behind the Wheel
Contact Rick Zollner or Carol Rudie for more information.
As of October 1, 2023, students taking the knowledge (written) test must register online at the DPS website and go to the appointments section. The skills (road test)is available by appointment only every Thursday of the month in Pipestone. Appointments can be made on the DPS website or by calling 651-284-1234.  Minnesota Department of Public Safety and Driver Exam will be reducing the appointment schedules for all appointment availability from 45 days out to 30 days. This will be for all skills and knowledge test appointments. Driving Log (required amount of practice hours) can be on paper or download the RoadReady app. Do you have all the information you need for your road test? Here is a checklist to help you prepare for your visit. Remember to get your white card on testing day from Carol Rudie in the District Office. Additional information and testing sites |
CLASSROOM AND BEHIND THE WHEEL INFORMATION
Pipestone Area Schools will be offering one classroom session this winter during the month of February and March. This session will run according to the times and dates listed below and will be held in-person at the PAS high school auditorium. This will be the only session of classroom Driver Education for the year of 2024! Parents, remind your son/daughter that they will not pass this course unless they attend ALL sessions. Falling asleep, causing disruptions, or missing class will cause failure and force your child to wait until the winter of 2025 to retake this course.
 The total cost for classroom and behind-the-wheel is $325.00. This can be paid to Carol Rudie in the superintendent’s office. Checks can be made out to PAS Drivers Education. Your son/daughter must bring a three-ring binder, notebook, writing utensil, and appropriate attitude. Students should bring their Chromebook or personal laptop to access driver education materials.
The State of Minnesota has a graduated driving license system. The first step for your child for your child is to complete 30 hours of classroom instruction. At the age of fifteen (15), they may take the State’s written test. After passing they may practice driving with a licensed adult of at least 21 years of age. Students should practice driving 25+ hours before contacting Mr. Zollner for behind-the-wheel instruction. Minnesota law states that parents and students must certify 50 hours of practice driving before taking the driving test with a state examiner. There is one way to reduce the 50 hours total and that is by attending a Parent/Student Night. Families that attend have a reduction of 10 hours off their certified driving. The date for this is Wednesday, February 28, 2024 from 6:00 to 7:30pm in the high school auditorium.
Supervised Driving log (required amount of practice hours) can be recorded on paper or by using the RoadReady app.
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
 | Feb 20 4-7 PM | Feb 21 2:30-5:30 PM | Feb 22 4-7 PM |  |
Feb 26 4-7 PM | Feb 27 4-7 PM | Feb 28 2:30-5:30 PM | Feb 29 4-7 PM | Â |
March 4 4-7 PM | March 5 4-7 PM | March 6 2:30-5:30 PM | Â | Â |
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Students taking the knowledge (written) or driving test need to pick up their blue or white card on the day of the test from Carol Rudie in the District Office. You will need the following information:Â
- Full name (as on official birth certificate)
- Month, day, year of birth
- Last day of Behind the Wheel
Students are responsible for knowing which card they need to take the test. Â
Blue – Knowledge (written) Test
White – Driving Test
Teen Driver Safety
Your teen started learning about driving long before you began thinking about learner’s permits, driving classes, and teenage driving tips. Children watch their parents’ driving behavior from the back seat learning how they interact with other drivers, obey traffic laws, and avoid distractions. Â
Now that it’s time to begin more formal driver training, AAA can help you choose the right driving school, talk to your teen about proper driving practices, set family rules about safe driving and offer more tips to help your child become a safe teen driver.
AAA simplifies the driving education process for parents of new and future teen drivers. Read on for the information you need as you get ready for your teen to start driving.
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Primary and Secondary Documents required to obtain your Minnesota License.