06/27/2024
Press Release
Contact: Alan Ainsworth
[email protected]
(952)- 835–7596
Great news for older drivers in Minnesota
June 2024 – for immediate release
Drivers ages 55 and older who have never taken a class to keep safe on the roads and get a break on their car
insurance may now have an incentive to sign up — it won't take as much time.
A law going into effect July 1 shortens classes for first-time participants from eight hours to four, matching the
same length of refresher courses that drivers seeking to keep their state-mandated 10% discount on their auto
insurance premiums must take every three years.
AARP has been working for several years at both the National and State levels, to get the 8-hour, first time class
eliminated.
“We’re thankful for the change and hopeful it will encourage even more drivers to take a course to keep
their skills sharp,” said Josh Dunning, Vice President and National Director of AARP Driver Safety which
manages the AARP Smart Driver™ course. “The driving landscape has changed dramatically in the time
since most drivers received their driver’s licenses. It's critical that as drivers, we keep up with these
changes to remain independent and confident behind the wheel.”
AARP offers their Smart Driver courses (sometimes known as “55 and Alive” or defensive driving classes)
in hundreds of locations around the state. Details can be found on the locator web site at
www.aarp.org/findacourse. The cost of the classes remains at $25 for AARP members and $30 for non-
members. Some locations may charge a small additional facility fee.
By taking a driver refresher course, drivers learn the current rules of the road, defensive driving
techniques, and how to operate their vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving
environment. Over nine in 10 course participants report changing at least one key driving behavior for the
better from what they learned in the course and over eight in ten participants felt that information they
learned in the course has prevented them from being in a crash.
AARP also offers free We Need to Talk www.aarp.org/wntt and Smart DriverTEK technology workshops
www.aarp.org/sdtek and will organize CarFit educational events around the state www.car-fit.org
About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how
they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and
advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the
nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow
and on social medi
