About Us

Mark and Debbie Prudhomme founded Training Wheels Driver Education in 1996.  Since then Training Wheels has been a front-line leader in novice driver education, having been the first driving school in Minnesota to offer a parent component, a nationally acclaimed Victims Impact Panel for Teens, and the Driver Impact Panel Drive Session.  We have trained over 40,000 teens using these methods and we believe we are making difference!  Our customers and crash statistics help confirm it. 

 Building on this thirteen year long proven track record, Training Wheels partners with many organizations and is most proud of their relationship with AAA Minneapolis, who leads many of the nation’s most important traffic safety initiatives, and Century College who is a front runner in customized training.  With free standing classrooms in Rogers, New Hope, Maple Grove and in North Branch there are convenient locations for just about everyone. These partnerships offer a WIN-WIN for all:  school districts, the driving school, and most importantly – the novice teen driver.  Our most important partnership is the one created with our teen drivers and their parents.  This driver ed program builds on that partnership through comprehensive educational curriculum, designed to develop safe and skillful novice drivers, able to navigate our transportation system. 

We also are a franchise system which allowed Mark and Debbie to work with dedicated people like Dave Beranek, Sr. and Dave Beranek, Jr. to offer services in New Hope and Rogers.

This team is at work for you, giving back to communities through providing fees to community education departments (over $75,000 in 2009 alone) and being part of some of Minnesota’s most important legislative initiatives such as Graduated Drivers Licensing provisions and Primary and Child Passenger Safety Seat coalitions.  Graduated Drivers Licensing, alcohol, and cell phone issues.  Please see for yourself and check out our Schedule of classes in Minnesota.

Get started today!  Click here to find a classroom near you. 
 

Call us toll Free: even in the metro area

(866) 554-3083

 

Program Descriptions & MN Rules

Minnesota law for a new teen driver:  anyone under the age of 18 must complete 30 hours of classroom education, be enrolled in6 hours of  behind-the-wheel training and be at least 15 years of age in order to obtain the first phase of license:  a permit. 

For drivers 18 years of age and over, driver education is not required, but is highly recommended and may qualify you for an insurance discount.

Classroom Phase  for Teens- The State of Minnesota requires 30 hours of classroom training.   Classes are scheduled  in the afternoon or evening druing the school year and during the daytime during summer time. Check out our schedules.  Preregistration is required.

Behind the Wheel Phase  for Teens- The State of Minnesota requires 6 hours of in-car training for a driver under the age of 18 years old.  Students participate in three 2-hour sessions that puts the student behind the wheel & focuses on risk identification and management, development of defensive driving skills, and turning them into respectful road users. 

Parent Participation Phase - Parents are required to attend a brief seminar that’s designed to aid them in working with their teen driver. Many handouts and aids are provided at each class. , or if you are participating in behind the wheel only, you can attend nearest your home.  These are scheduled during the evening.  

Driver Impact Panel - These panels are nationally acclaimed and highly rated by teens and parents. While they are not required, they offer a very important opportunity to hear the personal and tragic stories of people who have been impacted by car crashes. These are co-sponsored by the Minnesotans for Safe Driving, a victims advocacy group dedicated to preventing crashes and helping victims of crashes. Parents are encouraged to attend as well. Each event is about 2 hours. These are held regionally around the metro area on Saturday mornings. 

Skid Monster Drive Session - The Driver Impact Panel is a specially designed car that teaches very effectively -- without leaving the parking lot! Skid avoidance, early detection, and correction are taught in a highly effective manner. These sessions are approximately 1/2 hour in length and are Scheduled & Priced by appointment.

Vanessa Law compliance-license reinstatement requirement
These classes and processing are drivers under the age of 18 who need to re-take classroom and behind-the-wheel training due to an alcohol-related violation.

Adult Instruction -These driving lessons can be helpful to new adult drivers, drivers who haven't driven for a while, drivers who have received moving violations, and drivers who want to seek additional insurance discounts.

Teen Crash Risk Analysis - This lesson is designed to provide young drivers and their parents or drivers of all ages feedback regarding their safe driving habits.  We provide honest, professional feedback regarding the likelihood of a crash based on driving habits and abilities.

Brush Up Lessons - This lesson is designed for students preparing for the road test, who may have received a moving violation, or have been in a crash.  This can help correct bad habits and avoid future incidences.

Road test transportation and scheduling - This is a service of transportation to and from a metro area  examination station for a road test appointment.  Students must have an appointment scheduled with the Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services.