
Table of Contents
- Minnesota Driving Records
- What Is a Minnesota Driving Record?
- Why Would You Need a Driving Record?
- Types of Driver Records Available in Minnesota
- Traffic Violations and Tickets in Minnesota
- How Does the Minnesota Point System Work?
- How To Check Your Vehicle History
- What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?
- Who Can Access Your Minnesota Driving History?
- FAQs About Minnesota Driving Records
Minnesota Driving Records
If any document captures a driver's journey on the road, it would be the driving record. From citations and violations to years of safe, incident-free driving, each entry contributes to a detailed timeline of a motorist's behavior behind the wheel.
In Minnesota, this record is treated with care. Access is governed by strict regulations that balance the need for privacy with making essential details available when appropriate. A clear understanding of driving records and their handling can help individuals confidently navigate licensing, employment screenings, insurance matters, and more.
What Is a Minnesota Driving Record?
A Minnesota driving record is an official document that provides a detailed summary of an individual's driving history. These records are issued by the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division, which is also responsible for offering other driver services in the state.
What Is The Difference Between Official Driving Records and Public Driving Records
In Minnesota, an official driving record is a document provided directly by the DVS. These records are typically accessible only to the driver, certain employers, or entities with a legitimate need and are subject to privacy laws.
In contrast, public driving records are often compiled by third-party services like RecordsFinder, which gather information from publicly available sources. Public driving records may be used for background checks or general inquiries, but they often lack the official certification required for them to be considered valid for formal or legal purposes.
Why Would You Need a Driving Record?
Below are the most common uses of driving records in Minnesota:
- Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Verification: Before issuing a CDL in Minnesota, the DVS pulls an applicant's full driving history from every state where they've held a license in the past decade for compliance with federal safety regulations.
- For-Hire Vehicle Operators: Minnesota Administrative Rule 8880.0800 requires operators of vehicles such as limousines and taxis to review the driving records of their drivers every year.
- Law Enforcement and Legal Investigations: Police chiefs, county sheriffs, and prosecutors can access driving reports free of charge to assist with criminal investigations and legal proceedings.
- Court-Ordered Reinstatement: If a driver's license has been suspended or revoked, Minnesota courts may require the submission of an updated driver record as part of the process to reinstate driving privileges.
- Insurance Premium Evaluation: Insurance companies often request driving history reports when determining premiums for coverage.
- Risk Management and Audits: The state's risk management policies call for periodic reviews of driving records to identify high-risk drivers within organizations to allow for corrective actions.
- Personal Records: Individuals may also request their records to keep track of their driving history over time.
What Information Is Included in a Driver Report?
The key information found in driver reports includes the following:
- Personal information
- License status and class
- Traffic violations, including dates and outcomes of violations
- Accident records
- License restrictions and endorsements
- Commercial driver details, if applicable
Types of Driver Records Available in Minnesota
In Minnesota, records are generally categorized into certified and non-certified types.
A certified driving record is an official document, stamped and signed by the DVS. It provides a complete, verified history of a driver's record and is typically used for legal purposes. Certified records are admissible in court and are required for formal processes, such as legal proceedings or licensing requirements.
Meanwhile, a non-certified driving record, also known as an abstract, offers a summary of a driver's history, typically covering the last five years of convictions. It does not carry the official certification and is not valid for legal or court use.
Traffic Violations and Tickets in Minnesota
Traffic violations and tickets in Minnesota are governed by the state's vehicle laws, outlined in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 169, often referred to as the Minnesota Vehicle Code. This code sets the rules for driving in the state, defines various traffic offenses, and establishes how they should be handled, categorized, and punished.
Traffic tickets in Minnesota are issued based on the seriousness of the offense. Minor violations are typically classified as petty misdemeanors, which usually result in fines or citations. In contrast, more serious infractions are charged as misdemeanors or felonies, often leading to steeper fines and lasting effects on a driver's record.
Common Types of Traffic Violations
Traffic violations in Minnesota fall into two main categories: moving and non-moving offenses.
Below are some of the most frequent moving infractions drivers encounter, along with the laws that define them:
- Speeding (Minnesota Statutes § 169.14)
- Failure to obey traffic signals or signs (Minn. Stat. § 169.06)
- Reckless or careless driving (Minn. Stat. § 169.13)
- Illegal or unsafe U-Turns and lane changes (Minn. Stat. § 169.19)
- Tailgating (Minn. Stat. § 169.18)
- Texting and distracted driving (Minn. Stat. § 169.475)
- Driving While Intoxicated or DWI (Minn. Stat. §§ 169A.20)
- Open container (Minn. Stat. § 169A.35)
- Failure to yield (Minn. Stat. § 169.20)
Meanwhile, the following are the most common non-moving offenses in the state:
- Expired registration (Minn. Stat. § 168.09)
- Lack of insurance proof (Minn. Stat. § 169.791)
- Parking offenses (Minn. Stat. § 169.34)
- Defective or improper vehicle equipment (Minn. Stat. § 169.47)
- Obstructed view or improper tint (Minn. Stat. § 169.71)
What To Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket
Receiving a traffic ticket in Minnesota starts a legal process that requires timely action. Most citations must be addressed within 30 days of being entered into the state's court system. Ignoring a ticket may lead to added fees, license suspension, or even a default conviction.
Drivers typically have two options to deal with a traffic ticket: pay the fine or appear in court.
Pay Your Ticket
The state offers multiple ways to pay traffic tickets:
- Online: Use Minnesota's Court Web Payment system to search for your citation or case number and make payment with a credit or debit card.
- Phone: Call the Minnesota Court Payment Center at (651) 281-3219 (Twin Cities area) or 1-800-657-3611 (outside the metro) to pay by phone.
- Mail: Send a check or money order, never cash, along with your citation number and full name to P.O. Box 898, Willmar, MN 56201.
- In Person: You may also pay in person at the court office in the county where the ticket was issued.
- Installment Plans: If you cannot pay the full amount at once, a payment plan may be available. Apply through the Court Payment Center to make monthly payments based on your situation.
Be aware, though, that paying the fine is considered a legal admission of guilt and may result in the violation being recorded on your driving history.
Appear in Court
If you choose to dispute the ticket, you may plead not guilty and request a hearing. In some counties, you may first meet with a hearing officer who may offer options like a fine reduction or alternative resolution.
If the citation is more serious or you're not eligible for a hearing officer review, you may need to appear before a judge. You'll be given a court date where you can present your case and any supporting evidence.
Recover a Lost Ticket
If you've misplaced your citation, there are still ways to retrieve the information:
- Online Search: Visit the Minnesota Court Web Payment portal and use the "Find citation or case" feature with your name, birth date, or citation number.
- In Person: Go to the local courthouse or district court clerk's office where the ticket was issued. You can also use courthouse public terminals to look up your case.
How Does the Minnesota Point System Work?
Minnesota takes a different approach to managing driving behavior than many other states. Instead of using a numeric point-based system to assess driver risk, the state follows a violation-based model.
Under this system, each offense is recorded on the driver's history, and consequences are based on the frequency and severity of those offenses. This record includes everything from minor moving violations to serious criminal traffic offenses.
Traffic citations in Minnesota have a base fine that varies by type of offense. Minor violations may cost between $40 and $150, but additional court fees and surcharges often raise the total cost. For speeding violations, the surcharge may match the amount of the fine, but it must be at least $25.
Minnesota also uses conviction thresholds to determine when a license should be suspended or revoked. If a driver is convicted of four or more traffic violations within 12 months, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) may suspend their license. The suspension period can range from 30 days to one year or more.
How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Driving History
In Minnesota, the length of time a violation remains on a driver's record depends on the seriousness of the offense.
Under Minn. Stat. Section 171.12, most minor infractions are typically retained for around five years. More severe violations, such as driving under the influence (DUI) or committing felony-level traffic offenses, can remain on file for ten years or even permanently.
Offenses related to commercial vehicle operations, including violations of out-of-service orders, are also retained for a minimum of ten years.
Can You Remove Violations from Your Record?
Traffic violations listed on your Minnesota driving record are not automatically removed once a certain amount of time has passed.
While Minnesota law permits the expungement, or sealing, of certain criminal records, this does not guarantee that the offense will be erased from all records. As a result, even if a traffic-related violation is sealed through the courts, it may still remain visible on your official driving history unless it is separately removed by the DVS.
Minnesota drivers can ask DVS to remove outdated violations once the required retention period has passed. The DVS reviews the request and may clear qualifying violations from the record on a case-by-case basis.
How To Check Your Vehicle History
Minnesota drivers can access their motor vehicle driving history online, in person, and by mail-in requests.
To request your record online, you may visit the DVS Online Services page. There, you can obtain a copy by submitting a request and payment through the system. Once the request is processed, a secure link is sent to your email to allow you to view and download your record.
Those who prefer an in-person option may visit a DVS exam station or a full-service deputy registrar's office. You should bring valid identification and check ahead for accepted payment types, which may vary by location.
If you choose to request your driving record by mail, you'll need to complete a Record Request Form (PS2502), attach a copy of your identification, and include a check or money order for the appropriate fee. Mail requests must be sent to:
Driver and Vehicle Services Records Unit
445 Minnesota St., Suite 161
St. Paul, MN 55101-5161
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driving Record in Minnesota?
The cost to obtain a driving record in Minnesota varies slightly depending on the type of record and the purpose for which it's being requested.
A non-certified copy costs $9 for personal use, while a certified version is $10. If the record is requested by a third party, such as an employer or insurer, the fee is slightly higher, $9.50 for a non-certified copy and $10.50 for a certified one.
As for processing times, online requests are fulfilled almost instantly. In-person requests for non-certified records are usually completed the same day. Certified records may take an extra day or two to process. For mail-in requests, processing typically takes around two business days.
How To Check Your Driving History for Free
Accessing your complete Minnesota driving history for free isn't possible through official channels. However, you may check basic license information at no cost through DVS Online Services or contact DVS by phone to verify license status. These options do not provide a full overview of your driving history.
What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?
A poor driving record in Minnesota may have serious and lasting effects on your legal and financial standing. Repeated violations can result in license suspension, increased fines, or mandatory court appearances. More serious offenses can lead to longer revocation periods and higher penalties.
Parking tickets are not recorded on your Minnesota driving record, but they are considered non-moving violations and can be handled at the municipal level. Failure to pay them can result in additional consequences, such as a vehicle registration hold.
Warnings issued by law enforcement also do not appear on your official driving record. Only citations that result in a conviction or administrative penalty are included in your motor vehicle report.
How Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Insurance and Employment?
A poor driving record in Minnesota can lead to noticeable increases in auto insurance premiums and can limit employment opportunities.
Insurance companies carefully assess a driver's history when calculating risk and setting rates. Even a single minor violation can raise premiums by 15% to 25%, while more serious or repeated offenses, such as a DWI, can lead to rate hikes exceeding 90%.
Employers, especially those in the transportation and logistics industries, also consider a person's driving history. A record that shows patterns of high-risk behavior, including at-fault accidents or substance-related offenses, may disqualify a candidate from driving roles.
Who Can Access Your Minnesota Driving History?
Access to a person's driving history in Minnesota is carefully regulated to protect individual privacy while still allowing certain entities to obtain the information when legally justified.
Under both the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act, driving records are considered private data. Only individuals, specific businesses, and government entities with a defined legal purpose are allowed to access them.
Employers and insurance providers may obtain driving histories when needed for official business purposes. Law enforcement and designated government authorities are also permitted to access full records for investigative or legal use, consistent with statutory guidelines.
FAQs About Minnesota Driving Records
Below are some key answers to common inquiries about Minnesota driving records.
Can I Request My Vehicle Record in Minnesota for Free?
No, full driving records in Minnesota require a fee, though you can check your basic license status at no cost through the DVS website or by phone.
Can Employers See My Driving History?
Yes, employers may access a driver's record for purposes like employment screening, provided it aligns with legal requirements.
Does a Traffic Ticket in Another State Affect My Minnesota Driving Report?
Traffic violations from other states may appear on your Minnesota driving record if they are reported through agreements like the Interstate Driver License Compact.
Can You Check Someone Else's Driving Record?
You may only check someone else's driving record if you have the individual's completed authorization form or a valid legal reason as specified by law.
How Long Do Alcohol-Related Charges Stay On a Driving History?
Alcohol-related offenses stay on your Minnesota driving history indefinitely.