Suspended license in Minnesota: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
Minnesota does not use a points system; it counts convictions instead. No course removes points. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $20.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
This state does not use a points system. What it uses instead — a count of convictions inside a period, a driver-improvement rule or a habitual-offender rule — is described below in the state's own words.
Minnesota assigns no points. Driver and Vehicle Services counts traffic convictions: under Minnesota Rules part 7409.2200 (habitual violators) the commissioner sends a warning letter after two misdemeanors or three traffic offenses in 24 months, and suspends the license for 30 days for four offenses in 12 months or five in 24 months, 90 days for five in 12 months or six in 24, 180 days for seven in 24 months, and one year for eight or more in 24 months. Minn. Stat. § 171.18 authorizes suspension of 'an habitual violator of the traffic laws' and 'an habitually reckless or negligent driver'.
Points period stated by the agency: 2 years. Habitual-violator suspensions count convictions within 12-month and 24-month periods (Minn. R. 7409.2200). Under Minn. Stat. § 171.12, subd. 3, the driver's record of revocations, suspensions, cancellations, disqualifications, convictions and accidents is cumulative and kept at least five years; out-of-service violations at least ten years; felony vehicle offenses, alcohol-related offenses and certain other violations permanently.
“the driver's record pertaining to revocations, suspensions, cancellations, disqualifications, convictions, and accidents is cumulative and must be kept for a period of at least five years”
Check points or the driving record: onlineservices.dps.mn.gov
The statute: Minn. Stat. § 171.18, subd. 1(a)(3)-(4); Minn. R. 7409.2200
“(3) is an habitually reckless or negligent driver of a motor vehicle; (4) is an habitual violator of the traffic laws;”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | Driver improvement clinic (Minn. Stat. § 171.20, subd. 3) / Driver Diversion Program (DDP) training |
|---|---|
| Effect | No point-reduction course |
| How often | At the commissioner's discretion before reissuing a revoked or suspended license; DDP eligibility is determined by Driver and Vehicle Services |
Minnesota has no points to reduce and no course that dismisses a ticket. Under Minn. Stat. § 171.20, subd. 3, the commissioner may require completion of an approved driver improvement clinic (a youth-oriented clinic for drivers 18 or younger) before reissuing a revoked or suspended license, but only if a clinic is within 35 miles of the driver's residence. The Driver Diversion Program run for DVS by Diversion Solutions helps participants pay outstanding citations to reinstate a license; its minimum requirements include DVS approval, payment plans for fines and fees, participation in training, maintaining insurance and no major violations while enrolled.
“The commissioner may require, before reissuing a license which has been revoked or suspended, that the licensee complete a course of study at an approved driver improvement clinic or, in the case of a licensee who is age 18 or younger, a youth-oriented driver improvement clinic.”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habitual violators (accumulation of traffic convictions) | Under Minn. R. 7409.2200, after a warning letter the license is suspended for 30 days on conviction of four traffic offenses within 12 months or five within 24 months; 90 days for five within 12 months or six within 24 months; 180 days for seven within 24 months; and one year for eight or more within 24 months. The warning letter (or a preliminary hearing) follows two misdemeanors or three traffic offenses within 24 months. | Serve the suspension period and pay the $20 suspension reinstatement fee under Minn. Stat. § 171.20, subd. 4; a limited license may be available for habitual violations. | $20 |
| Failure to appear in court (Failure to Appear Withdrawal Notice) | Under Minn. Stat. § 171.16, subd. 3a, when a court (or another state's licensing authority) reports that a driver did not appear in court in compliance with a citation, the commissioner notifies the driver that the license will be suspended unless notice of appearance is received within 30 days; the suspension remains until the driver furnishes satisfactory evidence of compliance with the court's order. DVS lists a 'Failure to Appear Withdrawal Notice' among the letters that carry a Letter ID for online fee payment. | Evidence satisfactory to the commissioner of compliance with the court's order, plus the $20 reinstatement fee (Minn. Stat. § 171.20, subd. 4). | $20 |
| Failure to Pay Withdrawal Notice (unpaid citations) | DVS lists a 'Failure to Pay Withdrawal Notice' among its withdrawal letters and offers a Partial Pay Program and 'Submit proof of fines paid'. Minn. Stat. § 171.16, subd. 3, as amended, prohibits suspending a license based solely on failure to pay a fine or surcharge for a traffic or parking conviction; the Driver Diversion Program supports participants in paying outstanding citations to reinstate a license. | Proof of fines paid submitted to DVS, or enrollment in the Partial Pay Program or Driver Diversion Program; reinstatement fee as listed on the notice. | $20 |
| No-Fault insurance (suspended) / insurance revocation | Under Minn. Stat. § 169.797, subd. 4a, the commissioner suspends the driver's license and revokes the vehicle registration without preliminary hearing on evidence that required insurance was not provided and maintained; on conviction for driving without insurance the license is revoked for not more than 12 months (subd. 4(f)). Before reinstatement the driver files an insurance carrier's written certificate. | File the written certificate of an insurance carrier authorized in Minnesota (proof of insurance) and pay the fee: $20 for a no-fault insurance suspension, $30 for an insurance revocation. | $20 (suspension); $30 (revocation) |
| Non-payment of child support | Under Minn. Stat. § 518A.65, a court or the public authority directs the commissioner to suspend the license of an obligor in arrears of at least three times the monthly support obligation who is not complying with an approved written payment agreement; the public authority must mail notice at least 90 days ahead, and the obligor may request a hearing within 30 days. The suspension ends on proof of compliance with a payment agreement, a court reinstatement order, or administrative discretion; a 90-day limited license is available once in a lifetime. | Proof to the public authority of compliance with all written payment agreements, or a court order of reinstatement; the public authority informs the commissioner within 15 days. DVS reinstatement fee applies. | $20 |
| Driving after withdrawal | Under Minn. R. 7409.2200, subp. 4, a conviction for driving after suspension, revocation or cancellation (Minn. Stat. § 171.24) brings a suspension of 30 days with no other incidents in five years, 90 days with two, 180 days with three, and one year with four or more incidents within five years. | Serve the suspension and pay the $20 reinstatement fee. | $20 |
| Court-recommended suspension | Under Minn. Stat. § 171.16, subd. 2, when a court reports a conviction for a motor-vehicle law violation it may recommend suspension, and the commissioner suspends as recommended without a hearing; Minn. Stat. § 171.18 also lists suspension for a conviction that contributed to a death, injury or serious-property-damage crash, for permitting unlawful use of the license, and for paying a license fee with a dishonored check. | Serve the period recommended by the court; pay the $20 reinstatement fee under Minn. Stat. § 171.20, subd. 4. | $20 |
Source quotes for each cause
Habitual violators (accumulation of traffic convictions)
“30 days, if the commissioner has previously sent a violation warning letter to the person and the person is convicted of: (1) four traffic offenses within a 12-month period; or (2) five traffic offenses within a 24-month period;”
Failure to appear in court (Failure to Appear Withdrawal Notice)
“the commissioner of public safety shall notify the driver that the driver's license will be suspended unless the commissioner receives notice within 30 days that the driver has appeared”
Failure to Pay Withdrawal Notice (unpaid citations)
“Notice of Withdrawal Failure to Appear Withdrawal Notice Failure to Pay Withdrawal Notice Remaining Reinstatement Requirements Reinstatement Requirements”
No-Fault insurance (suspended) / insurance revocation
“The commissioner of public safety shall revoke the registration of any vehicle and shall suspend the driver's license of any operator, without preliminary hearing upon a showing by department records, including accident reports required to be submitted by section 169.09 , or other sufficient”
Non-payment of child support
“Within 15 days of the receipt of that proof or a court order, the public authority shall inform the commissioner of public safety that the obligor's driver's license or operating privileges should no longer be suspended.”
Driving after withdrawal
“The commissioner shall suspend the driver's license of a person upon receiving a record of conviction under Minnesota Statutes, section 171.24 . The driver's license must be suspended for a period of: A. 30 days, if the person has no other incidents of driving after withdrawal within a five-year”
Court-recommended suspension
“The court may recommend the suspension of the driver's license of the person so convicted, and, subject to the limitations in this section, the commissioner shall suspend such license as recommended by the court, without a hearing as provided herein.”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $20. Minn. Stat. § 171.20, subd. 4 imposes a single $20 reinstatement fee before a license suspended under §§ 171.16, subd. 2, 171.175, 171.18, 171.182 or 171.186, or under §§ 169.791 to 169.798 (insurance), is reinstated; a driver with more than one suspension pays one fee plus one filing fee, and a suspension may be rescinded without fee for good cause. The DVS fee page lists $20 for a suspended license, $20 for a no-fault insurance suspension, $30 for other revocation offenses including insurance revocation, and $680 for alcohol, drug or criminal-vehicular-operation revocations.
“Before the license is reinstated, a single $20 reinstatement fee is imposed for: (1) an individual whose driver's license has been suspended under section 171.16 , subdivision 2; 171.175 ; 171.18 ; or 171.182”
Read the notice of withdrawal for the reinstatement requirements
DVS mails a notice of withdrawal to the address on the driver record; the notice lists the requirements to reinstate driving privileges.
“If your driving privileges are withdrawn, DVS mails a notice of withdrawal of your driving privileges to the address on your driver record. The notice also lists the requirements to reinstate your driving privileges.”
Check the driving-privilege status online
The driving privilege lookup shows whether privileges are under withdrawal.
“How can I find out if my driving privileges are under withdrawal? If your driving privileges are withdrawn, DVS mails a notice of withdrawal of your driving privileges to the address on your driver record. Use the driving privilege lookup .”
Satisfy the cause (proof of insurance, proof of fines paid, court compliance)
DVS links proof of insurance, proof of fines paid and the Partial Pay Program from its compliance page; court-related withdrawals end when the court's order is satisfied.
“Partial pay program Proof of insurance Submit proof of fines paid”
Pay the reinstatement fee online or at an exam station
Online payment requires the Minnesota license, permit or ID number, a bank account and routing number (cards are not accepted), and the Letter ID from a DVS notice issued after October 1, 2018 (Notice of Suspension, Notice of Withdrawal, Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay Withdrawal Notice, Reinstatement Requirements).
“Your current Minnesota driver’s license, permit, or ID card number. A valid bank account and routing number for payment. Credit and debit cards are not accepted at this time. One of the letters from the list below from DVS issued to you after October 1, 2018.”
Official page: dps.mn.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Minnesota.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Driver compliance limited license (Minn. Stat. § 171.30). DVS may issue a limited license to a driver whose privileges are suspended or revoked, after any mandatory waiting period; it lists habitual violations (four or five violations in 12 months, five or more in 24 months), non-payment of child support (one 90-day limited license in a lifetime), misuse of a driver's license, out-of-state implied consent and insurance violations among eligible withdrawals, and excludes theft of gas. Only one limited license is allowed in a 24-month period; a new withdrawal requires waiting half of the new period. Driving is limited to work, chemical dependency treatment or counseling, and school. Application is by appointment with a driver evaluator; the child-support limited license carries a $20 fee.
“Only one limited license is allowed in a 24-month period. If a new withdrawal of driving privileges goes on your record, you will have to wait half of the new withdrawal period before receiving another. Violations that result in suspension Habitual violations (four or five violations in 12 months”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Minnesota.
Questions about a suspended license in Minnesota
- Does Minnesota have a points system for traffic tickets?
- No. Minn. Stat. § 171.18 lets the commissioner suspend 'an habitual violator of the traffic laws', and Minnesota Rules part 7409.2200 sets the counts: a warning letter after three offenses in 24 months, then 30 days for four offenses in 12 months or five in 24, 90 days for five in 12 or six in 24, 180 days for seven in 24, and one year for eight or more in 24 months.
- What is the Minnesota reinstatement fee after a suspension?
- Minn. Stat. § 171.20, subd. 4 sets a single $20 reinstatement fee for suspensions under §§ 171.16, 171.18 and the insurance sections 169.791 to 169.798; multiple suspensions require one fee. The DVS fee page lists $20 for a suspended license, $30 for other revocations including insurance, and $680 for alcohol, drug or criminal-vehicular-operation revocations.
- Can a Minnesota license be suspended for an unpaid traffic ticket?
- Minn. Stat. § 171.16, subd. 3 prohibits suspending a license based solely on failure to pay a fine or surcharge for a traffic or parking conviction, while subd. 3a provides suspension for failure to appear in court on a citation until the court's order is satisfied. DVS issues Failure to Pay and Failure to Appear withdrawal notices and offers a Partial Pay Program and Driver Diversion Program.
- Is a limited license available during a Minnesota habitual-violator suspension?
- DVS lists habitual violations (four or five violations in 12 months, five or more in 24 months) among the suspensions eligible for a driver compliance limited license under Minn. Stat. § 171.30, after any mandatory waiting period. Only one limited license is allowed in a 24-month period, and driving is limited to work, treatment or counseling, and school.
- How long do convictions stay on a Minnesota driving record?
- Under Minn. Stat. § 171.12, subd. 3, the record of revocations, suspensions, cancellations, disqualifications, convictions and accidents is cumulative and kept at least five years; out-of-service violations at least ten years; and felony vehicle offenses, alcohol-related offenses and certain other violations permanently.
Sources
- Minnesota DPS DVS: Driver compliance (withdrawal types, lookup, reinstatement, online fee payment, partial pay)
- Minnesota DPS DVS: Driver's license and ID card fees (reinstatement fees)
- Minnesota DPS DVS: Driver compliance limited license
- Minnesota DPS DVS: Driver Diversion Program (DDP)
- Minnesota DPS DVS: Driving privilege lookup (online services)
- Minn. R. 7409.2200 Habitual violators (Revisor of Statutes)
- Minn. Stat. § 171.18 Suspension (Revisor of Statutes)
- Minn. Stat. § 171.16 Court may recommend suspension; failure to pay fine; failure to appear (Revisor of Statutes)
- Minn. Stat. § 171.20 Driver improvement clinic; reinstatement fee (Revisor of Statutes)
- Minn. Stat. § 171.12 Records; retention (Revisor of Statutes)
- Minn. Stat. § 518A.65 Driver's license suspension for child support (Revisor of Statutes)
- Minn. Stat. § 169.797 Penalties for failure to provide vehicle insurance; license suspension (Revisor of Statutes)
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Minnesota license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/minnesota/suspended-license/