Albert Lea Community Education

Students now have two options to choose from for taking Driver’s Education with Albert Lea Community Education. See the descriptions and requirements below for each option and register for the class that you feel is the right choice for your student.

In-Person Driver’s Education:
Our in-person Driver’s Education program prepares students for the Minnesota Graduated Driver’s License Test (GDL), including the permit test, and a lifetime of safe driving.

• Age Requirement: Students must be at least 14½ years old by the start of class. 
• Class Structure: This option includes 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel training. 
• First Day Attendance: Attendance on the first day of class is mandatory. If a student does not attend, their spot will be given to a waitlisted student. To re-enroll, the student must contact the Community Education office to transfer to a future class. 
• Registration Process: Parents must first create an account, then "Create A Relationship" and attach their student to their account before registering.
  • Registration Deadlines:
    • Early bird registration fee: $385 (ends two weeks before the start of class). 
    • Regular fee: $405 (applies two weeks before the class start date). 
    • Final registration deadline: one week prior to the start date. 
• Permit Test: There may be an opportunity for students to take the permit test on the last day of class. If this is available, parents must provide their student’s original social security card and birth certificate at registration, no copies accepted. If the permit test is not offered in class, students must schedule online their own exam at a DMV location. Testing locations can be found on our website under the "Knowledge Exam Appointment" tab.
• Course Completion: Students have two weeks after the classroom portion is completed to finish any outstanding coursework. Failure to do so will result in ineligibility for the blue card (needed to take the permit test). Students who miss this deadline will need to re-enroll and retake the entire course without a refund.
• Materials Needed: Students should bring a pen, pencil, and highlighter to each class session.

Online Driver’s Education:
Albert Lea Community Education partners with A+ Driving School to offer a fully online Driver’s Education course that meets the Minnesota state requirements for both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction.

• Age Requirement: Students must be at least 14½ years old by the start of class. 
• Class Structure: This online course includes 30 hours of virtual classroom instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel training. 
• Registration Process: Parents must first create an account, then "Create A Relationship" and attach their student to their account before registering. 
• Course Completion: Students are allowed a maximum of three hours per day to complete the course, allowing them to finish in 10 days or spread out their logged classroom time. The course must be completed within the time frame provided. If a student does not complete the course in time, they must re-register and repay the full course fee. No refunds will be provided. 
  • Registration Deadlines: 
    • Winter/Spring 2025 Course: Active from 2/1/25 to 5/31/25. Registration closes on 4/15/25 to ensure students have enough time to complete the course before the deadline. 
    • Early bird registration fee: $385 (ends two weeks before the registration deadline). 
    • Regular fee: $405 (applies two weeks before the registration deadline). 
• Course Access: Upon registration, instructions for accessing the online classroom will be sent to the email address provided. Please check spam/junk folders if you do not receive this email. 
• Permit Test and Blue Card: Upon completing the online classroom portion, students will receive a link to myblueslip.com to notify Albert Lea Community Education of their completion. Once verified, a blue card will be issued for pickup, which will allow the student to schedule online their permit test with the DMV. Testing locations can be found on our website under the "Knowledge Exam Appointment" tab.

For more information on Driver’s Education, including details for homeschool students, behind-the-wheel instructor training, and how to schedule a knowledge exam or road test appointment, please visit our Driver’s Education section on the district website. There, you can also print paper contracts, access the online Driver’s Education manual, download the student driving log, and find practice tests. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Community Education office.