SF 1284

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 02/14/2025 09:31 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; increasing criminal penalties for driving without a valid
driver's license; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 171.02, by adding a
subdivision; 171.20, by adding a subdivision; 171.24, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, by
adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.02, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Criminal penalty. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), a person
who violates subdivision 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, in addition to any other penalty
imposed, must be fined not less than $300, or not less than $550 if the violation is within
ten years of a prior violation.
new text end

new text begin (b) A person who violates subdivision 1 within ten years of two or more prior violations
is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and, in addition to any other penalty imposed, must be
fined not less than $850.
new text end

new text begin (c) This subdivision does not apply to a person whose driver's license is expired for less
than three months from the date of violation.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to violations
occurring on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.20, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Criminal penalty. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person who
violates subdivision 2 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, in addition to any other penalty
imposed, must be fined not less than $300, or not less than $550 if the violation is within
ten years of a prior violation.
new text end

new text begin (b) A person who violates subdivision 2 within ten years of two or more prior violations
is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and, in addition to any other penalty imposed, must be
fined not less than $850.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to violations
occurring on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.24, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Driving after revocation; misdemeanor.

new text begin Except as otherwise provided in
subdivision 5, new text end a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if:

(1) the person's driver's license or driving privilege has been revoked;

(2) the person has been given notice of or reasonably should know of the revocation;
and

(3) the person disobeys the order by operating in this state any motor vehicle, the
operation of which requires a driver's license, while the person's license or privilege is
revoked.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to violations
occurring on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.24, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Driving after cancellation; misdemeanor.

new text begin Except as otherwise provided in
subdivision 5, new text end a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if:

(1) the person's driver's license or driving privilege has been canceled;

(2) the person has been given notice of or reasonably should know of the cancellation;
and

(3) the person disobeys the order by operating in this state any motor vehicle, the
operation of which requires a driver's license, while the person's license or privilege is
canceled.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to violations
occurring on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.24, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Driving after disqualification; misdemeanor.

new text begin Except as otherwise provided
in subdivision 5, new text end a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if the person:

(1) has been disqualified from holding a commercial driver's license or been denied the
privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle;

(2) has been given notice of or reasonably should know of the disqualification; and

(3) disobeys the order by operating in this state a commercial motor vehicle while the
person is disqualified to hold the license or privilege.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to violations
occurring on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.24, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Gross misdemeanor.

new text begin (a) new text end A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if:

(1) the person's driver's license or driving privilege has been canceled or denied under
section 171.04, subdivision 1, clause (10);

(2) the person has been given notice of or reasonably should know of the cancellation
or denial; and

(3) the person disobeys the order by operating in this state any motor vehicle, the
operation of which requires a driver's license, while the person's license or privilege is
canceled or denied.

new text begin (b) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if the person violates subdivision 1, 2, 3,
or 4 and the violation occurs within ten years of two or more prior violations of subdivision
1, 2, 3, or 4.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to violations
occurring on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.24, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Mandatory fines. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person who violates
subdivision 1, 2, 3, or 4, in addition to any other penalty imposed, must be fined not less
than $300, or not less than $550 if the violation is within ten years of a prior violation of
subdivision 1, 2, 3, or 4.
new text end

new text begin (b) A person who commits a gross misdemeanor level violation of subdivision 1, 2, 3,
or 4, in addition to any other penalty imposed, must be fined not less than $850.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to violations
occurring on or after that date.
new text end