Subdivision 1. Offenses. (a) Subject to section 171.16, the commissioner may suspend the license of a driver without preliminary hearing upon a showing by department records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee:
(1) has committed an offense for which mandatory revocation of license is required upon conviction;
(2) has been convicted by a court for violating a provision of chapter 169 or an ordinance regulating traffic, other than a conviction for a petty misdemeanor, and department records show that the violation contributed in causing an accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another, or serious property damage;
(3) is an habitually reckless or negligent driver of a motor vehicle;
(4) is an habitual violator of the traffic laws;
(5) is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle as determined in a judicial proceeding;
(6) has permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of the license;
(7) has committed an offense in another state that, if committed in this state, would be grounds for suspension;
(8) has committed a violation of section 169.444, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), within five years of a prior conviction under that section;
(9) has committed a violation of section 171.22, except that the commissioner may not suspend a person's driver's license based solely on the fact that the person possessed a fictitious or fraudulently altered Minnesota identification card;
(10) has failed to appear in court as provided in section 171.16, subdivision 3a;
(11) has failed to report a medical condition that, if reported, would have resulted in cancellation of driving privileges;
(12) has been found to have committed an offense under section 169A.33; or
(13) has paid or attempted to pay a fee required under this chapter for a license or permit by means of a dishonored check issued to the state or a driver's license agent, which must be continued until the registrar determines or is informed by the agent that the dishonored check has been paid in full.
However, an action taken by the commissioner under clause (2) or (5) must conform to the recommendation of the court when made in connection with the prosecution of the licensee.
(b) The commissioner is prohibited from suspending the driver's license of an individual who meets any of the conditions described in paragraph (a) due to a conviction for a violation of section 171.24, subdivision 1 or 2.
Subd. 2. Notice. The department may not suspend a driver's license until 14 days after the date on which the department mails to the licensee a written notice of the department's intent to suspend the license, addressed to the licensee at the licensee's last known address, with postage prepaid. Suspension of a driver's license shall take effect immediately upon a finding by the commissioner, based on department records or other sufficient evidence, that a delay in the effectiveness of the suspension poses a threat to public safety. The department shall immediately notify the licensee of the suspension by mail, addressed to the licensee's last known address, with postage prepaid.
Subd. 3. Hearing. (a) The licensee may request, in writing, a hearing. The department shall afford the requesting licensee an opportunity for a hearing within 20 days after receipt of the request in the county where the licensee resides, unless the department and the licensee agree that the hearing may be held in some other county.
(b) For the hearing, the commissioner may administer oaths and issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers, and may require a reexamination of the licensee.
(c) Following the hearing, the department shall either rescind its order of suspension or, for good cause shown, may extend the suspension of the license or revoke the license.
(d) The department shall not suspend a license for a period of more than one year.
(2720-145c) 1939 c 401 s 18; 1955 c 713 s 1; 1973 c 698 s 6; 1978 c 783 s 7; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 307 s 30; 1990 c 510 s 8; 1991 c 277 s 15; 1994 c 636 art 2 s 4; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 2 s 41; 1996 c 346 s 6,7; 1996 c 442 s 21; 2000 c 478 art 2 s 7; 1Sp2005 c 6 art 3 s 77; 2006 c 260 art 2 s 17; 1Sp2021 c 5 art 4 s 80,149
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 160 - 174A — Transportation
Chapter 171 — Drivers' Licenses And Training Schools
Section 171.015 — Driver's License Division.
Section 171.017 — Background Investigations; Driver's License Agents And Certain Employees.
Section 171.019 — Real Id Act Conformity; Limitations.
Section 171.02 — Licenses; Types, Endorsements, Restrictions.
Section 171.03 — Persons Exempt.
Section 171.04 — Persons Not Eligible For Drivers' Licenses.
Section 171.041 — Restricted License For Farm Work.
Section 171.042 — Driver's License For Medical Reason.
Section 171.043 — Notice Of Persons Under Driver's License Cancellation.
Section 171.05 — Instruction Permit.
Section 171.055 — Provisional License.
Section 171.06 — Application For License, Permit, Identification Card; Fees.
Section 171.0605 — Evidence Of Identity And Lawful Presence.
Section 171.061 — Driver's License Agent.
Section 171.066 — Enhanced Driver's License For Employment.
Section 171.068 — Enhanced Identification Card For Employment.
Section 171.07 — Information On License And Identification Card.
Section 171.0701 — Driver Education Content.
Section 171.0705 — Driver's Manual.
Section 171.071 — Photograph On License Or Identification Card.
Section 171.072 — Tribal Identification Card.
Section 171.075 — Anatomical Gifts.
Section 171.08 — Licensee To Have License In Possession.
Section 171.09 — Driving Restrictions; Authority, Violations.
Section 171.10 — Duplicate License; Vehicle Endorsement.
Section 171.11 — Duplicate License; Change Of Domicile Or Name.
Section 171.12 — Driving Record; Filing; Private Data.
Section 171.121 — Use Of Another's Residence Address.
Section 171.122 — Enhanced Drivers' Licenses And Identification Cards; Limitation.
Section 171.131 — Physician Reporting To Commissioner.
Section 171.14 — Cancellation.
Section 171.15 — Nonresident's Driving Privilege.
Section 171.16 — Court May Recommend Suspension.
Section 171.161 — Commercial Driver's License; Federal Conformity.
Section 171.162 — Commercial Driver's License, Required Records.
Section 171.163 — Commercial Driver's License Record Keeping.
Section 171.165 — Commercial Driver's License, Disqualification.
Section 171.166 — Review Of Disqualification.
Section 171.167 — Notice To Commercial Driver's License Information System.
Section 171.168 — Notice Of Violation By Commercial Driver.
Section 171.169 — Notice Of Commercial License Suspension.
Section 171.171 — Suspension; Illegal Purchase Of Alcohol Or Tobacco.
Section 171.172 — Revocation; Controlled Substance Offense.
Section 171.173 — Suspension; Underage Drinking Offense.
Section 171.174 — Revocation; Fleeing Peace Officer Offense.
Section 171.175 — Suspension; Theft Of Motor Fuel Offense.
Section 171.176 — Revocation Or Suspension; School Attendance.
Section 171.177 — Revocation; Pursuant To Search Warrant.
Section 171.181 — Resident Driving Privilege.
Section 171.182 — Suspension; Uninsured Vehicle.
Section 171.183 — Satisfaction Of Judgment.
Section 171.184 — Installment Payments.
Section 171.186 — Suspension For Nonpayment Of Support; Limited License.
Section 171.187 — Suspension; Criminal Vehicular Operation And Manslaughter.
Section 171.19 — Petition For Court Hearing On License Reinstatement.
Section 171.20 — Minnesota License Required; Conditions, Fees.
Section 171.21 — Copy Of Record As Evidence.
Section 171.22 — Unlawful Acts Relating To Driver's License.
Section 171.23 — Renting Vehicle To Unlicensed Driver.
Section 171.24 — Violations; Driving Without Valid License.
Section 171.2405 — License Reinstatement Diversion Program.
Section 171.241 — Chapter Violations; Misdemeanors.
Section 171.25 — Enforcement; Delegation Of Authority.
Section 171.26 — Money Credited To Funds.
Section 171.27 — License Expiration And Renewal; Exceptions.
Section 171.29 — Revoked License; Conditions For Reinstatement.
Section 171.30 — Limited License.
Section 171.302 — License Violations; Consecutive Sentencing.
Section 171.306 — Ignition Interlock Device Program.
Section 171.31 — Information On Person Receiving Blindness Benefits.
Section 171.32 — Action Upon Information Relating To Blindness.
Section 171.321 — Qualifications Of School Bus And Type Iii Vehicle Drivers.
Section 171.3213 — Third-party Testing Of School Bus Drivers.
Section 171.3215 — Canceling Bus Endorsement For Certain Offenses.
Section 171.3216 — Actions On School Bus Endorsement.
Section 171.322 — Age Limit For Operator Of Vehicle For Hire.
Section 171.324 — Hazardous Materials Endorsement Background Checks.
Section 171.325 — Driver's License Suspensions And Revocations; Reports.
Section 171.60 — Motorcycle Road Guard Certificate.
Section 171.33 — Driver Training School; Definitions.
Section 171.335 — Motorcycle Safety Education Program.
Section 171.34 — License For School Required.
Section 171.35 — License For Instructor Required.
Section 171.36 — License Fees; Renewal.
Section 171.37 — Inspection And Examination.
Section 171.38 — School Or Instructor License Denial Or Revocation.
Section 171.40 — Driver Training School Violation; Petty Misdemeanor.
Section 171.41 — Cooperation Of State Agencies.
Section 171.50 — Driver License Compact.
Section 171.52 — Transfer Of Information.
Section 171.53 — Compact Administrator.
Section 171.54 — Reporting To Licensing Authority.