HF4474

Purpose

• Establish a new framework for revoking, denying, and reinstating driving privileges when the driver is impaired by substances other than alcohol.
• Create and fund programs to enforce these rules, including ignition interlock and substance use testing requirements.
• Update Minnesota law to address drug-impaired driving and related offenses, and provide rules for implementing these changes.

Key Terms Used in the Bill

• Alcohol-related violation
• Substancerelated violation
• Ignition interlock device (IID)
• Ignition interlock program
• Substance use testing program
• Qualified prior impaired driving incident
• Driving while impaired (DWI) and related offenses
• Restricted license
• Program participant

Main Provisions and What They Do

• Redefined categories and definitions

  • Creates two main categories of violations: alcohol-related violations and substance-related violations (including drugs and cannabis products).
  • Introduces the ignition interlock device and a substance use testing program as required remedies for certain violations.

• Revocation, denial, and reinstatement rules

  • Sets specific license revocation periods based on:
  • Whether there were prior impaired driving incidents
  • Type of violation (alcohol-related vs substance-related)
  • Whether the incident caused bodily harm, great bodily harm, or death
  • Adds special rules for out-of-state convictions that would be grounds for revocation in Minnesota.
  • Establishes a process for denying or canceling licenses when a driver is deemed inimical to public safety (two or more qualified prior incidents).

• Test refusal and test failure consequences

  • Defines how long a license must be revoked if the driver refuses to submit to tests or if test results show impairment.
  • Specifies longer revocation periods for young drivers or for higher levels of impairment.

• Ignition interlock and testing requirements

  • Requires program participants to install and keep an ignition interlock device in any vehicle they drive (with limited exceptions for employer vehicles).
  • Requires participation in the ignition interlock program (and/or the substance use testing program) as a condition of reinstating full driving privileges.
  • Allows restrictions or conditional reinstatement (e.g., a restricted license) while still in the program.
  • Provides processes for extending program requirements if a participant tests positive or fails to meet abstinence or treatment standards.

• Rehabilitation and treatment prerequisites

  • Before full reinstatement, participants with certain prior incidents or chemical use assessments must complete a licensed treatment or rehabilitation program.
  • Requires proof of abstinence comparable to the program’s standards before full driving privileges are restored.

• Administrative details and implementation

  • The Department must implement rules, establish guidelines, and designate authorized installation centers for ignition interlock devices.
  • Requires proof of insurance coverage for vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device in some cases.
  • Allows employers to permit employees to drive employer-owned vehicles under specific conditions.

• Special provisions for restricted licenses

  • A restricted class D license can be issued to program participants under certain restrictions and guidelines.
  • The commissioner cannot require payment of certain reinstatement fees before issuing a restricted license, but full reinstatement requires paying those fees.

• Termination and reentry into programs

  • If a participant’s license is withdrawn for non-alcohol-related reasons, they may still earn credit toward time in the ignition interlock program if they keep the device serviced.
  • Reentry into the program after termination is possible, but reinstatement timelines follow the longer of the applicable or previously required periods.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• New dual framework for impairment: separate handling for alcohol-related violations and substance-related violations (including cannabis and other drugs).
• Expanded use of ignition interlock and new substance use testing programs as mandatory conditions of license reinstatement.
• Longer and more flexible revocation periods tied to the severity of harm and prior history.
• New designation of “inimical to public safety” leading to license cancellation and mandatory rehabilitation before reinstatement.
• Reinstatement and restricted licensing processes that emphasize treatment, abstinence, and device compliance.
• Clear integration of out-of-state convictions with Minnesota revocation rules.
• Enhanced role of the Department in rulemaking and program administration, with funding authority for implementation.

Practical Effects (What This Means for Drivers)

• People charged with drug-impaired driving or other substance-related impairments may face longer license suspensions and more stringent requirements to regain driving privileges.
• If you have multiple impaired driving incidents, you could face longer revocation periods or even license cancellation.
• Driving again after an impairment offense will likely require installing and operating an ignition interlock device and possibly participating in a substance use testing program and treatment.
• Out-of-state offenses could trigger Minnesota revocation or stricter requirements.
• In some cases, drivers may temporarily receive a restricted license with IID restrictions while completing program requirements.

Implementation Highlights

• Department will set rules, guidelines, and installation centers for ignition interlock devices.
• Programs require verification of insurance for vehicles with IID.
• Reinstatement processes will require proof of treatment or abstinence and compliance with IID or testing program requirements.
• Violations involving bodily harm or death carry stricter timelines and prerequisites for restoration of driving privileges.

Relevant Terms - alcohol-related violation - substancerelated violation - ignition interlock device (IID) - ignition interlock program - substance use testing program - driving while impaired (DWI) - qualified prior impaired driving incident - revocation - denial - reinstatement - restricted license - inimical to public safety - bodily harm - great bodily harm - death - out-of-state conviction - program participant - testing period - treatment or rehabilitation program - ignition interlock device program restrictions - insurance certification (noncancelable)