Isanti County Driver's License

Quicker summary at the end. I had my driving test here earlier this week and had a wonderful experience. Driving has been my biggest fear for as long as I can remember, so this was a big day for me. I showed up a bit early and spoke to the guy who would be administering my test that day. I witnessed another man be very disrespectful to him right before it was my turn, so I was worried he’d take it out on me and be in a bad mood. He was so incredibly nice. The lady I’ve read so many reviews about came in as we were talking and seemed very cranky. I’m so glad I wasn’t testing with her. After reading reviews and hearing everyone I know say they failed here their first try, I had been very worried. The guy I tested with put me so at ease. Even when giving me my feedback after the exam, he phrased things like, “you must be really kind hearted because …” Couldn’t have asked for better feedback. Treat this guy nicely like he deserves, and you’ll have a great time. We even talked to him on the sidewalk for a while after, and he told us about his family. I can’t speak for everyone as I know many people that didn’t have luck here, but I passed my first try at the age of 23 the email said statistically people over 18 have a 50% success rate their first try. Tips for anyone testing: one thing he gave me feedback on that was the total opposite of what everyone told me while practicing involved yielding with a green light on a left turn. He said not to wait behind the crosswalk and instead drive up and wait in the intersection. Seems weird to me because if the light turns yellow then you’re stuck, but that’s what he said to do. He told me I was “really kind hearted” and seemed “very patient” waiting for other drivers, pedestrians, and let others go ahead of me. Also make sure you don’t practice parking between their cones. He got out of the car to speak with someone who was practicing after my test. You won’t have lines to use as a judge of space for 90 degree back in. Make sure you know how to back in based on your view behind you. This initially scared me, but I was able to do it. Also drive around the area and learn the neighborhoods before you test. I’m from Elk River, but I came down a few times to learn the area. Let me know if you have any questions/need more info before your test day: I’d be happy to help if I can. TLDR Quick summary if you don’t want the long post: I passed, and the man was so kind. The woman testing someone else seemed cranky, so I went with 4 stars. I feel like I would have had a bad experience with her, but I can’t speak to that.

I failed my test, but, I got an older woman as my instructor. She was relatively nice and understanding, and she was willing to answer questions and explain things to me. She even gave me some leniency due to extreme snow on roads. Unfortunately, I hit an automatic fail by failing to correctly enter a left middle turn lane, so I didn’t get my license, but the experiences wasn’t that bad. I was nervous and she didn’t make it terrible for me. I am rating 4 stars because the roads are a bit rough here and the parking zones are curved in a way that makes parking very difficult albeit still manageable. Not a super difficult course without the odd parking zones and the instructor was cool, would recommend.

I went in today 1/13/23 to get a mess of a vehicle transfer figured out. Gave the woman an explanation of what I have done, gave paperwork of the vehicle I have in possession a sedan and the transfer document for a truck that was somehow put into my name. I am hard of hearing, so towards the beginning I asked if she could please lower her mask while she talked so I could read her lips. She refused. Woman refused to listen that the only vehicle I was attempting to work for was the sedan. She called the State, and kept working only with the truck that I had no clue whose it was and told the person I was lying, and irate, and wouldn't listen to her. She ripped the paper out of my hand, and continued to work on the truck, not the sedan. When I called her out on telling the other person I was lying she lowered her mask that she wouldn't lower so I could read her lips, pushed her glasses down her nose, peered over her glasses, leaned on the counter, chin in hand, and GLARED at me for at least 15 seconds. Like, woman? YOU called ME the liar! You refused to listen to me that I don't even know where the truck came from, I have a sedan! Eventually I begged her to look up the VIN number of the vehicle in question, and she said, "Oh, it's been junked" you need to go back to the original owner. Like, Woman? If you had done that FIRST THING like I asked! No sorry for calling me a liar, no apology for being rude, no shame for glaring at me, or telling the person on the phone that I was a rude and stupid liar. Over the years I have had decent enough interaction with staff there. This lady was above and beyond nasty.

Just completed my first ever driver's license test here and PASSED! I am very grateful that the gentleman who assisted today was so patient. I came in with my mom and we had a little trouble getting our valid proof of insurance pulled up on our device. We got everything figured out and proceeded to the test. The road test was very simple. They take you through some small neighborhood streets, a couple times on a 30mph busy road, and through the parking lot. The parallel parking and the 90 degree backing in parking was towards the end of the test. Both parking methods took place on the right side of the vehicle. I think the 90 degree backing in parking was set up in a kind of weird spot but that's just my opinion. Maybe it's different every day, some people have said there will be no lines to guide you in but there were lines on my test. The instructor was kind and let me readjust as needed to back in properly. Couple things to look out for: There is quite a few uncontrolled intersections in the neighborhood area so be aware of when you may proceed and don't be hesitating. I got a few points off for being slow with my turns which is understandable. Some good tips for this test: Always YIELD to the pedestrians when they are standing there waiting to cross the road. Be courteous and let them go first! Be sure to know which lane you must be in when making a left turn or a right turn! You definitely want to make use of the center left turn lane if there is one. Be patient when making left turns with busy traffic and wait your turn to proceed. Other general good tips: Never forget your signal when needed and ALWAYS be looking. In the rear view mirror, side mirrors and especially over the shoulder. Make it very obvious that you are looking! Cambridge is a great place to take your driving test! On my test, they didn't take me anywhere that is over 30mph. The lines in the parking lot are pretty faded but the rest of the road has solid lines. Good luck to anyone else testing here and remember that practice makes progress. I was never perfect before this test but going in with confidence in my practice definitely payed off!

I immediately knew I was going to fail before we even got in the car because the attendant was not in a good mood and gave us a rough time. Felt like I was definitely set up to fail, also felt super racially motivated. The short lady attendant with white hair was the one that was in the car with me during the test, and she was not helpful, distracting, and hard to work with. She told me she was unable to answer any of my questions during the test, and at the end of my test, she told me that I automatically failed the second I pulled out of their parking lot. Told me to merge on solid lines, but was upset when I did, per her request. Ran through her notes at the end so quick that I was left confused. Was unclear and rushed. I came from St Paul, so it was a big waste of a trip just to fail. Literally, listen to the reviews, just don't go here. They obviously hate their jobs and aren't afraid to show it! Best wishes on your tests though!

This place was amazing the assistance that I received in regards to my license issues was very polite, professional, and had some laid back humor in the waiting process! I love the peoe that work there, they went above and beyond the call of service and duty! I would definitely recommend an award or bonus for the two employees I encountered.

Took my test yesterday and passed. On the road test, make sure you over exaggerate looking!! Before signaling, turning and switching lanes, make sure you look at all mirrors and look in your blind spots. I read the reviews the night before my test and got really scared but a lot of the reviews will tell you that the instructor failed them because they didn’t observe enough, but as long as you exaggerate it, you’ll most likely pass. Ex. When turning right, switch into the right lane if needed, look at your top mirror, side and then turn your head back to see your blind spots. I looked back twice for every turn I made. I messed up my parallel parking and was too far away from the curb and the lady still passed me. The 90°, I had to adjust one time and made it through. I’m not sure if they do pass/fail on parking at this location but all I know is that I did my parallel terrible and still passed. Through intersections, make sure you know who goes first in four-way intersections and be sure to make it clear on who goes first. If you get there first, you have the right-away. Also, be careful for pedestrians! Give them the right-away, always. And you have to make complete stops at stop signs which is pretty straight forward. One more thing, be confident in your driving and drive slow!!! Take your time too because there is no time limit. Try to make side conversation with the instructor. It makes it a lot easier to drive when they are off track. I hope this helps because the reviews on here didn’t do anything but make me nervous. They also dock points for anything and they’re super nit picky about the littlest things, so just make sure you really pay attention to the little things. Good luck, I’m sure you’ll do great!!!!

I have an anxiety disorder and I’m a very bad test taker. I took three tests and failed prior to the one that I took today. In my past tests, the instructors have been very unclear about what they’re looking for. I had a bad feeling coming in today knowing that it was my fourth test and after reading some of the reviews online. After the instructor got in the car, she told me what was the most important to do today and what I need to watch out for. She was kind and open to channels of communication. All of my previous test takers felt like they were looking down on me. When I had to pull out for parallel parking, I wasn’t in a very good place, so I asked her if I could go around the parking lot so that I could align myself and she happily let me. When we finished the test, she was kind and constructive about what I could improve on and told me that I passed. I felt very at ease with her. The test was very short as well. I recommend Cambridge for your driving test. Tips: make sure that you’re looking! Do shoulder checks, lean towards mirror, roll out to stop signs and look both way always. That was a big part of today’s test. Additionally, if you’re within a reasonable distance of Cambridge DMV, I highly suggest going to practice there sometime. The roads aren’t difficult, but it feels good to have some familiarity with the area. Good luck!

Avoid this place like the plague! The attendant is rude and obviously holds prejudice towards young ladies. My daughter was failed without cause 5 mins into her test, and when we questioned the examiners reason, she stated my daughter lost control of her vehicle. Hmmm… kind of hard to do when your only going 15mph in small town neighborhoods. Fact of the matter is, she had already made up her mind to fail my daughter prior to starting the exam. Save your time, go elsewhere.

Had a very positive experience at this Exam Station. I feel like the test was very fair, but still thorough. The examiner was kind and wanted my son to be comfortable, and also to learn from his results. He also reviewed the results with me, which was very appreciated! The 90 degree back up and parallel parking are both done in the parking lot area where the station is located. The exam itself takes place around the immediate area surrounding the station. A head's up that you cannot actually apply for you license at this location, so will need to go elsewhere for that.