ASK A TROOPER: Students younger than 15 may take classroom part of drivers’ ed

Q: Is there a Minnesota law that says that students have to be 15 before they can enroll in the classroom portion of drivers’ education?

A: I contacted a close friend who runs a driver training school. She said, “No, the law doesn’t say when they can or can’t take the classroom portion.” She also said, “We do like them to be as close to 15 as possible because there is a lot to remember on the Minnesota permit test. We take a look at sports activities and students’ retention factors. No law, they just have to be 15 years old before they can take the permit test.”

Q: How do State Troopers keep their ears warm in the winter?

A: Well, sometimes we don’t! Our “Smokey Bear” hats don’t cover our ears, and we wear them all year around. When the weather is real cold, then we are allowed to wear a specific type of black stocking cap that covers our ears. Because we are not out of the vehicle very long most of the time, we typically just wear the Smokey Bear hat unless we have to be out of the car for longer periods of time.

Sgt. Curt S. Mowers is a regional public information officer for the Minnesota State Patrol.

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