Ask a Trooper

Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol

Question: In your last article you wrote about suspended drivers licenses. I know a person who had theirs revoked. Can you explain how this happens?

Answer: Your driver’s license may be revoked if you:
• Refuse to take a test to determine whether you are under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or if you fail the test.

• Are convicted of manslaughter or any other criminal action while driving a motor vehicle.
• Are convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Are convicted of a felony in which you used a motor vehicle.
• Are convicted of driving in excess of 100 mph.
• Are convicted of fleeing a police officer.
• Are convicted of failing to stop, identify yourself and render aid when involved in a motor vehicle crash, especially one that involves death or personal injury to others.
• Are convicted of lying under oath, signing any legal document that contains false information about legal ownership or operation of a motor vehicle, or making a false statement to DPS about that information.
• Plead guilty or forfeit bail for three violations in a single year of any Minnesota traffic law or ordinance that requires a jail sentence upon conviction.
• Are convicted of an offense in another state that would be grounds for revoking your license if you were convicted in Minnesota.
• Are convicted of a misdemeanor for driving a motor vehicle with prior knowledge that the owner of the vehicle did not have no-fault vehicle insurance.
• Own a vehicle without no-fault insurance and are found to have driven it or allowed others to drive it, with full knowledge that the vehicle was not insured.
• Are convicted of a gross misdemeanor for failing to stop for a school bus with its stop arm extended and its red lights flashing.
• Are convicted of selling or possessing a controlled substance while operating a motor vehicle.

After the period of revocation has ended, your driving privileges may be reinstated if all the reinstatement requirements on your withdrawal notice are met. You must show proper identification when you take the written test or road test. You must apply for a new license after all your testing requirements are met.

A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205. (You can follow him on X @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at, jesse.grabow@state.mn.us).