Driving License Suspension for Alcohol/Drug Driving Impairment Offenses In Minnesota

The following presents a guideline for penalties and sanctions you may experience if you are arrested for impaired driving. These guidelines are based on offenses that occur within 10 years.

A. First Alcohol or Controlled Substance Incident:

Alcohol Content, Age &
Enhancements
Criminal Conviction DWI Administrative Sanction
Implied Consent
  Minn Stat § 169A.20 subd 1 Minn Stat § 169A.51-52
  Minn. Stat. §169A.54 Minn. Stat. §169A.52, subd 4
  Minn Stat §171.01, subd 13  
.08 - .19 AC over 21 Misdemeanor
90 days in jail and/or
$1000 fine
30 day Revocation#
90 day Revocation*
.08 - .19 AC under 21 Misdemeanor
90 days in jail and/or
$1000 fine
180 day Revocation
180 day Revocation*
.20 or + AC or child in car
over 21
Gross Misdemeanor
1 year in jail and/or
$3000 fine
License plate impoundment
Jail and max bail or
electronic monitoring
180 day Revocation
180 day Revocation*
.20 or + AC or child in car
under 21
Gross Misdemeanor
1 year in jail and/or
$3000 fine
License plate impoundment
Jail and max bail or
electronic monitoring
1 year Revocation
1 year Revocation*

*In addition to the expiration of driving privilege loss period, to be reinstated the offender must pass an alcohol/ controlled substance related knowledge test; apply for a new Minnesota license and pay the reinstatement fee.

B. Second Alcohol or Controlled Substance Incident:

Alcohol Content, Age and
Enchantment
Criminal Conviction DWI Administrative Sanction IC
  Minn Stat § 169A.20 subd 1 Minn Stat § 169A.51-52
  Minn. Stat. §169A.54 Minn. Stat. §169A.52, subd 4
  Minn Stat §171.01, subd 13  
.08 - .19 AC over 21 Gross Misdemeanor
1 year in jail and/or
$3000 fine
License plate impoundment
180 day Revocation

180 day Revocation*
Notice that additional offense
will result in license
cancellation

.08 - .19 AC under 21 Gross Misdemeanor
1 year in jail and/or
$3000 fine
License plate impoundment
180 day Revocation
180 day Revocation*
Notice that additional offense
will result in license
cancellation
.20 or + AC or child in
vehicle over 21
Gross Misdemeanor
Vehicle forfeited and license
plate impoundment
Jail and maximum bail or
electronic monitoring
1 year Revocation
1 year Revocation*
Notice that additional
offenses will result in license
cancellation
.20 or + AC or child in
vehicle under 21
Gross Misdemeanor
Vehicle forfeited and license
plate impoundment
Jail and maximum bail or
electronic monitoring
1 year Revocation
1 year Revocation*
Notice that additional
offenses will result in license
cancellation

*In addition to the expiration of driving privilege loss period, to be reinstated the offender must pass an alcohol/ controlled substance related knowledge test; apply for a new Minnesota licenseand pay the reinstatement fee

C. Third Alcohol or Controlled Substance Incident:

Alcohol Content & Age Criminal Conviction DWI Administrative Sanction IC
  Minn Stat § 169A.20 subd 1 Minn Stat § 169A.51-52
  Minn. Stat. §169A.54 Minn. Stat. §169A.52, subd 4
  Minn Stat §171.01, subd 13  
.08 - .19 AC over 21 Gross Misdemeanor
1 year in jail and/or
$3000 fine
Vehicle forfeited
License plate impoundment
Jail and maximum bail or
electronic monitoring
1 year Revocation
1 year Revocation*
License cancelled
Treatment and rehabilitation
(1year proof of abstinence)
Lifetime abstinence after
reinstatement
.08 - .19 AC under 21 Gross Misdemeanor
1 year in jail and/or
$3000 fine
Vehicle forfeited
License plate impoundment
Jail and maximum bail or
electronic monitoring
1 year Revocation
1 year Revocation*
License cancelled
Treatment and rehabilitation
(1year proof of abstinace)
Lifetime abstinence after
reinstatement
.20 or > AC > 21 2 year Revocation 2 year Revocation*
.20 or > AC < 21 2 year Revocation 2 year Revocation*

*In addition to the expiration of driving privilege loss period, to be reinstated the offender must pass an alcohol/ controlled substance related knowledge test; apply for a new Minnesota license and pay the reinstatement fee.

D. Fourth Alcohol or Controlled Substance Incident:

Alcohol Content & Age Criminal Conviction DWI Administrative Sanction IC
  Minn Stat § 169A.20 subd 1 Minn Stat § 169A.51-52
  Minn. Stat. §169A.54 Minn. Stat. §169A.52, subd 4
  Minn Stat §171.01, subd 13  
.08 - .19 AC >21 2 year Revocation 2 year Revocation*
.08 - .19 AC <21 2 year Revocation 2 year Revocation*
.20 or > AC > 21 4 year Revocation 4 year Revocation*
.20 or > AC < 21 4 year Revocation 4 year Revocation*

*In addition to the expiration of driving privilege loss period, to be reinstated the offender must pass an alcohol/ controlled substance related knowledge test; apply for a new Minnesota license and pay the reinstatement fee.