Criminal charges for operating a vehicle while your driver’s license is suspended or revoked.
Updated January 19, 2021
In Minnesota, your driving privileges can be suspended or revoked for a range of criminal convictions, driving offenses, and civil issues. It's, of course, illegal to drive on a suspended or revoked license. If you do, you can be charged with a crime and will face serious consequences.
Reasons for Suspension or Revocation
Your license can be suspended or revoked for many reasons. For example, you could lose your driving privileges if you:
- are convicted of stealing gasoline
- are convicted of driving while impaired (DWI)
- are convicted of fleeing from an officer
- refuse alcohol testing in violation of the state's implied consent laws
- fail to pay a judgment against you relating to driving or owning a vehicle
- fail to pay a certain amount of court-ordered child support, or
- are convicted of certain controlled substance crimes.
Some suspensions are directed toward young people. For example, your license may be suspended if you:
- buy or try to buy alcohol with a fake ID when you are younger than 21
- buy or try to buy tobacco with a fake ID when you are younger than 18, or
- are convicted of underage drinking and driving.
However, this is just a partial list—your license can be suspended or revoked for many other reasons.
Reinstating Your License
Once your period of revocation or suspension expires, you may have to pay reinstatement fees and fulfill certain conditions (such as a driver improvement clinic) before you may legally drive again. Generally, the reinstatement fee is $20.
Charges for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
If you drive while your license is suspended or revoked, you can be charged with a crime. In many situations, the offense is a misdemeanor and carries a fine of up to $1,000 and a maximum 90 days in jail.
However, if your license was canceled as inimical to public safety, you can be charged with a gross misdemeanor. Gross misdemeanors carry maximum fines of $3,000 and up to one year in jail.
Legal Help for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
Being convicted of driving during a license suspension or revocation comes with serious penalties. So, if you've been arrested for one of these offenses, you should get in contact with a qualified attorney right away. A lawyer with the appropriate experience can help you understand how the law applies in your situation and advise you on the best course of action.
