How to Keep Driving After a Rochester DWI: Work Permits & Limited Licenses
Whether you need to commute to work or get your kids to school, understanding the strict rules regarding Minnesota driver’s license loss is the first step toward securing a limited work permit.
You Have to Act Before Your License is Revoked
The "Fourteen-Day" Rule
A DWI arrest triggers an immediate countdown on your driving privileges. We help Rochester professionals navigate the bureaucracy to keep you on the road and employed.
You Only Have 60 Days to Challenge Your License Revocation
Even if you are not convicted of a DWI in criminal court, you can still lose your license. The State of Minnesota revokes your driving privileges civilly immediately after a test failure or refusal. You received a 14-day temporary license; once that expires, you cannot drive unless you take action.
Two Paths to Reinstatement
Depending on your charge and your goals, you generally have two options to regain driving privileges. We help you decide which strategic move is right for your career.
Ignition Interlock Program
This is often the fastest way to regain full driving privileges. By installing a device in your vehicle, you can drive anywhere, anytime.
Limited License "Work Permit"
If you are not eligible for Interlock, you may qualify for a limited license that allows you to drive to: Work School / University Medical Appointments Sobriety Support Groups
Option 1: The Limited License ("Work Permit")
Option 2: The Ignition Interlock Program (IID)
Best for: First-time offenders with a BAC under 0.16 who want a lower-cost option.
- The Wait: You must serve a “hard revocation” period (typically 15 days) where you cannot drive at all.
- The Restrictions: After the waiting period, you may drive only to work, school, or treatment/court. You are not allowed to drive for social reasons or errands.
- The Cost: This is the less expensive option, but it offers the least freedom.
Best for: Professionals who need to drive clients, travel for work, or maintain a normal family schedule.
- The Benefit: If you enroll in the IID program, you regain full driving privileges immediately. There are no restrictions on where or when you can drive.
- The Device: You must install a device in your vehicle that you blow into to start the engine.
- Mandatory Use: If your BAC was 0.16 or higher, or if you refused the test, this is likely your only option to drive legally during your revocation period (usually 1 year).
Challenging the Revocation
We will file a petition for judicial review (Implied Consent) to challenge the revocation of your license. If we win, the revocation is rescinded, and the alcohol offense is removed from your driving record.
In some cases, this allows you to have your license returned (reinstated) while your case is pending in Olmsted County
You have the right to challenge the loss of your license. This is called an Implied Consent hearing.
This is a civil lawsuit we file against the State of Minnesota. We may argue that:
The police stopped you without a valid reason.
The test was administered incorrectly.
Your rights were violated during the arrest.
Strict Deadline: You have exactly 60 days from the date of your Notice of Revocation to file this challenge. If you miss this deadline, you lose the right to contest the revocation, even if your criminal charges are dismissed or you are found not guilty.
Don't let a license issue cost you your job.
The “Company Vehicle” Exception
If you drive a company-owned vehicle for your job (e.g., sales, service, or delivery), you may be terrified of telling your employer you need an interlock device installed in their fleet car.
You may not have to.
Minnesota law allows for a “Company Vehicle Exception.” If you participate in the Interlock Program for your personal car, you may be allowed to drive your employer’s vehicle without an interlock device installed, provided you have your employer’s written consent.
We can help you navigate this sensitive conversation and handle the necessary paperwork to protect your employment status.
Don't Wait. Your 60-Day Window To Appeal Is Closing
Doing nothing is the fastest way to guarantee you lose your driving privileges for good. The State of Minnesota does not wait for a criminal conviction to revoke your license—the clock started ticking the moment you were arrested.
You have options to get back on the road, but the paperwork is complex and the deadlines are strict. Do not try to navigate the DMV and the courts alone.
The rules regarding reinstatement fees, “whiskey plates,” and revocation periods are complex. We deal with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) every day. Let us handle the paperwork so you can focus on your life.