Chapter 171 — Driver's License

15.001 Application of Laws 2005, Chapter 56, Terminology Changes State agencies must update their printed materials and signs to use new terminology from 2005, but only when they are … 171.001 This section contains no operative text of its own. It is a cross-reference that points readers to section 15.001, which … 171.01 Definitions This section defines key terms used throughout the driver's license chapter, including what counts as a motor vehicle, … 171.015 Driver's License Division The Driver's License Division operates within the Department of Public Safety and handles all driver's licensing, … 171.017 Background Investigations; Driver's License Agents and Certain Employees The state must run criminal background checks on all driver's license agents and employees who create or modify license … 171.019 Real Id Act Conformity; Limitations Minnesota offers three types of driver's licenses: REAL ID compliant (accepted for federal purposes like boarding … 171.02 Licenses; Types, Endorsements, Restrictions You must have a valid Minnesota driver's license to drive on public roads. This section lists the different types of … 171.03 Persons Exempt Certain people do not need a Minnesota driver's license. This includes federal government employees driving government … 171.04 Persons Not Eligible for Drivers' Licenses This section lists the people who cannot get a Minnesota driver's license. It includes people under 18 who have not met … 171.041 Restricted License for Farm Work Minnesota teens as young as 15 can get a restricted farm work license to drive vehicles needed for farm work, but only … 171.042 Driver's License for Medical Reason The commissioner may issue a driver's license to a person who is at least 15 but under 16 years old and who, except for … 171.043 Notice of Persons Under Driver's License Cancellation The Department of Public Safety sends monthly notices to local police listing people in their area whose driver's … 171.05 Instruction Permit An instruction permit lets you practice driving with a supervising driver in the seat beside you. A first-time applicant … 171.055 Provisional License A provisional license is the first license for 16- and 17-year-olds in Minnesota. To get one, a teen must have held an … 171.06 Application for License, Permit, Identification Card; Fees This section covers how to apply for a driver's license, instruction permit, or state ID card in Minnesota, and lists … 171.0605 Evidence of Identity and Lawful Presence To get a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card, applicants must prove their identity, date of birth, … 171.061 Driver's License Agent Driver's license agents are authorized by the Department of Public Safety to process license applications, take photos, … 171.062 Evidence of Identity; Noncompliant Credentials To get a noncompliant driver's license or ID card (one not valid for federal purposes), applicants must prove their … 171.063 Evidence of Identity for Enhanced Credentials To get an enhanced driver's license or identification card, an applicant must present documents proving six things: date … 171.066 Enhanced Driver's License for Employment Employers cannot require employees to get an enhanced driver's license as a condition of employment, and they cannot … 171.068 Enhanced Identification Card for Employment Employers cannot require employees to get an enhanced identification card as a condition of employment, and they cannot … 171.069 Translations Any document submitted to the commissioner under this chapter in a language other than English must come with an English … 171.07 Information on License and Identification Card Minnesota driver's licenses and identification cards include your photo, name, address, date of birth, physical … 171.0701 Driver Education Content The commissioner must adopt rules setting required content for driver education programs at public, private, and … 171.0705 Driver's Manual The state driver's manual must include information about the effects of alcohol on driving, drunk driving laws, and … 171.071 Photograph on License or Identification Card This section governs the photograph required on a Minnesota driver's license or identification card. The commissioner … 171.072 Tribal Identification Card A tribal identification card issued by a Minnesota tribe is accepted anywhere a Minnesota state ID card would be … 171.075 Anatomical Gifts Minnesota has a special fund for anatomical gift (organ donation) awareness, education, and promotion. The fund receives … 171.08 Licensee to Have License in Possession You must have your driver's license in your immediate possession whenever you operate a motor vehicle and must show it … 171.09 Driving Restrictions; Authority, Violations When good cause appears, the commissioner can add restrictions to your driver's license that suit your driving ability … 171.10 Duplicate License; Vehicle Endorsement If your license is lost, destroyed, or becomes hard to read, you can get a replacement for a fee. You can also add … 171.11 Duplicate License; Change of Domicile or Name When you move to a new address or change your name, you must notify the Department of Public Safety within 30 days and … 171.12 Driving Record; Filing; Private Data The Department of Public Safety files and maintains a driving record for every licensed driver, including applications, … 171.1205 Restrictions on Use State and local governments cannot use the fact that someone has a noncompliant driver's license as proof of their … 171.121 Use of Another's Residence Address A residence owner may notify the commissioner of public safety in writing that they do not consent to having their … 171.122 Enhanced Drivers' Licenses and Identification Cards; Limitation Provisions about enhanced driver's licenses and enhanced identification cards only apply to those specific types of … 171.13 Examination To get a Minnesota driver's license, you must pass an eye test, a written knowledge test about traffic laws and the … 171.131 Physician Reporting to Commissioner A physician who diagnoses a physical or mental condition that, in the physician's judgment, will significantly impair a … 171.14 Cancellation The commissioner may cancel a driver's license after determining that the person was not entitled to receive it, failed … 171.15 Nonresident's Driving Privilege A nonresident's privilege to drive on Minnesota highways can be suspended or revoked by the commissioner in the same … 171.16 Court May Recommend Suspension Courts must report most traffic convictions to the Department of Public Safety within 10 days (parking, defective … 171.161 Commercial Driver's License; Federal Conformity The commissioner of public safety must ensure that Minnesota's commercial driver's license programs and policies, and … 171.162 Commercial Driver's License, Required Records Before issuing a class A, B, or C commercial driver's license, the department must request the applicant's complete … 171.163 Commercial Driver's License Record Keeping Minnesota courts and agencies cannot hide, defer, or divert traffic convictions for commercial driver's license holders. … 171.165 Commercial Driver's License, Disqualification The commissioner must disqualify a person from operating commercial motor vehicles according to the federal driver … 171.166 Review of Disqualification The commissioner reviews court records of certain convictions when there is reasonable cause to believe they may … 171.167 Notice to Commercial Driver's License Information System Minnesota participates in the national commercial driver's license information system, which tracks CDL holders across … 171.168 Notice of Violation by Commercial Driver A driver with a Minnesota commercial driver's license who is convicted in another state or jurisdiction of a criminal … 171.169 Notice of Commercial License Suspension Commercial drivers whose Minnesota license is suspended, revoked, or canceled must notify their employer before the end … 171.17 Revocation The state must immediately revoke your driver's license if you are convicted of certain serious offenses. These include … 171.171 Suspension; Illegal Purchase of Alcohol or Tobacco The commissioner must suspend a person's license for 90 days in three situations. First, if the person is under 21 and … 171.172 Revocation; Controlled Substance Offense The commissioner of public safety must revoke the driver's license of anyone convicted of, or any juvenile adjudicated … 171.173 Suspension; Underage Drinking Offense The commissioner of public safety must suspend the driver's license of anyone convicted of, or any juvenile adjudicated … 171.174 Revocation; Fleeing Peace Officer Offense The commissioner of public safety must revoke the license of a person who, in a motor vehicle, fled a peace officer in … 171.175 Suspension; Theft of Motor Fuel Offense The commissioner of public safety must suspend a person's driver's license for 30 days if the person is convicted, or a … 171.176 Revocation or Suspension; School Attendance The Department of Public Safety cannot suspend or revoke a person's driver's license based on whether they attend … 171.177 Revocation; Pursuant to Search Warrant If police obtain a search warrant for a blood or urine test during a DWI investigation, the driver must be told that … 171.178 Revocation, Denial, and Reinstatement; Driving While Impaired; Criminal Vehicular Homicide and Operation This section sets out how long your license is revoked after a DWI test refusal or failure, and the steps needed to get … 171.18 Suspension The commissioner can suspend your driver's license without a hearing if records show you committed an offense that … 171.181 Resident Driving Privilege When a Minnesota resident's driver's license is revoked or suspended because of a conviction in another state, the … 171.182 Suspension; Uninsured Vehicle If a court enters a final judgment against you for damages from a motor vehicle accident and you do not satisfy it … 171.183 Satisfaction of Judgment For driver's license suspension purposes, a motor vehicle accident judgment counts as satisfied once set dollar amounts … 171.184 Installment Payments If you owe money on a motor vehicle accident judgment, you can ask the court that entered it for permission to pay in … 171.185 This former provision has been repealed. 171.186 Suspension for Nonpayment of Support; Limited License The commissioner suspends your driver's license without a hearing when notified that you are behind on court-ordered … 171.187 Suspension; Criminal Vehicular Operation and Manslaughter If a peace officer certifies probable cause that you committed certain criminal vehicular operation or manslaughter … 171.188 Driving While Impaired Revocation and Prohibition; Off-road Recreational Vehicles and Motorboats A DWI-related license revocation also applies to off-road vehicles like ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorboats. If your … 171.19 Petition for Court Hearing on License Reinstatement If the commissioner refuses, revokes, suspends, cancels, or disqualifies your license (with limited exceptions), you can … 171.20 Minnesota License Required; Conditions, Fees If your driver's license or driving privilege has been suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified, you cannot operate … 171.21 Copy of Record as Evidence Official copies of Department of Public Safety records, when certified by the commissioner, can be used as evidence in … 171.22 Unlawful Acts Relating to Driver's License It is illegal to display a fake or altered driver's license, lend your license to someone else, use another person's … 171.23 Renting Vehicle to Unlicensed Driver Car rental and leasing companies cannot rent a vehicle to someone who does not have a valid driver's license. … 171.24 Violations; Driving Without Valid License Driving after your license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled is a crime in Minnesota. Driving while suspended or … 171.2405 License Reinstatement Diversion Program A city or county may set up a license reinstatement diversion program for class D license holders charged with driving … 171.241 Chapter Violations; Misdemeanors Willfully violating any provision of the driver's license chapter is a misdemeanor, unless a law declares the violation … 171.245 This former provision has been repealed. 171.25 Enforcement; Delegation of Authority The commissioner of public safety is responsible for running the driver's license system and can delegate duties to … 171.26 Money Credited to Funds Unless a different destination is specified elsewhere, all money received under this chapter must be deposited in the … 171.27 License Expiration and Renewal; Exceptions A standard driver's license expires on the driver's birthday in the fourth year after it is issued, and it can be … 171.28 This former provision has been repealed. 171.29 Revoked License; Conditions for Reinstatement To get your license back after a revocation, you must pass the required exams and pay a reinstatement fee. The fee is … 171.30 Limited License If your license has been suspended or revoked, you may be able to get a limited license that lets you drive only for … 171.301 Reintegration License People who are 18 or older and have been released after at least 180 consecutive days of confinement or incarceration … 171.302 License Violations; Consecutive Sentencing When sentencing someone for certain driver's license violations (under section 171.20, subdivision 2; section 171.24; or … 171.305 This section has been repealed. Every subdivision was either repealed (most by 2010 chapter 366, section 17) or has … 171.306 Ignition Interlock Device Program Minnesota's ignition interlock program lets people whose driver's license was revoked for a DWI get a restricted license … 171.31 Information on Person Receiving Blindness Benefits The commissioner can request information from agencies that provide blindness benefits to identify people who may not … 171.32 Action Upon Information Relating to Blindness When the commissioner receives information that a driver may not meet visual acuity standards, the commissioner must … 171.321 Qualifications of School Bus and Type Iii Vehicle Drivers To drive a school bus carrying students, a person generally needs a valid class A, B, or C driver's license with a … 171.3213 Third-party Testing of School Bus Drivers School districts and school bus companies that are authorized third-party testing programs can enter agreements to test … 171.3215 Canceling Bus Endorsement for Certain Offenses The commissioner can cancel a school bus driver's endorsement if the driver is convicted of certain crimes, including … 171.3216 Actions on School Bus Endorsement In addition to the authority under section 171.3215, the commissioner may cancel a person's school bus driver's … 171.322 Age Limit for Operator of Vehicle for Hire No one under 18 years old can drive a vehicle for hire (such as a taxi or rideshare) or work as a hired driver for a … 171.323 This former provision has been repealed. 171.324 Hazardous Materials Endorsement Background Checks Before being issued or renewing a class C, class B, or class A driver's license with a hazardous materials endorsement, … 171.325 Driver's License Suspensions and Revocations; Reports This section requires two annual reports to the legislature on driver's license suspensions and revocations, both due by … 171.33 Driver Training School; Definitions This section defines key terms for the driver training school laws. A "commercial driver training school" (or "school") … 171.335 Motorcycle Safety Education Program This section establishes a motorcycle safety education program administered by the commissioner of public safety. The … 171.34 License for School Required No commercial driver training school may be established or operated after January 1, 1968, unless it has applied for and … 171.35 License for Instructor Required No person may act as a driving instructor after January 1, 1968, without applying for and obtaining a license from the … 171.36 License Fees; Renewal Driving school and instructor licenses are good for one year and must be renewed annually. The fee is $150 for a school … 171.37 Inspection and Examination The commissioner or authorized representatives can inspect driving school facilities and equipment, and examine … 171.38 School or Instructor License Denial or Revocation The commissioner can revoke or refuse to issue or renew a driving school or instructor license if the applicant or … 171.39 Exemptions The driving school licensing rules (sections 171.33 to 171.41) do not apply to people giving driver training lessons … 171.395 Teleconference Driver Education Program Licensed driver education programs can offer classroom instruction through live video teleconference if they also … 171.396 Online Driver Education Program A licensed or approved driver education program may offer the classroom portion of driver's education online, as long as … 171.397 Flexible Instruction Permitted A student may complete driver's education through a combination of online instruction (section 171.396), teleconference … 171.40 Driver Training School Violation; Petty Misdemeanor Violating any driving school regulation is a petty misdemeanor. 171.41 Cooperation of State Agencies The commissioner can work with other state agencies to develop the rules needed to regulate driving schools and … 171.50 Driver License Compact Minnesota is part of the Driver License Compact, an agreement among states to share information about traffic violations … 171.51 Definitions For purposes of the Driver License Compact (sections 171.50 to 171.56), the term "executive head" means the governor of … 171.52 Transfer of Information Minnesota must share driver records and documents with other states in the Driver License Compact as needed to … 171.53 Compact Administrator The compact administrator for the Driver License Compact receives no extra pay for serving in that role but can be … 171.54 Reporting to Licensing Authority A Minnesota court, agency, or political subdivision that has authority to suspend, revoke, cancel, or otherwise limit a … 171.55 Out-of-state Convictions Given Effect The commissioner must treat driving violations reported from other states or Canadian provinces the same as if they … 171.56 Filing of Bylaws and Amendments The Driver License Compact Commission must file copies of its bylaws and any changes with the Minnesota Secretary of … 171.60 Motorcycle Road Guard Certificate To perform traffic control as a motorcycle road guard for group rides, a person must hold a valid motorcycle road guard …