6Jul 2015

What is ‘legally drunk’ in Minnesota

For drivers under 21 years, the state considers them legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is more than .02, for non-commercial drivers above 21 years; they are legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is more than.08. On the other hand, commercial vehicle drivers are considers legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is more than .04. School bus drivers are commercial drivers in Minnesota.

Minnesota Drunk Driving Penalties

For first time DUI offenders they face the following penalties:

  • A prison sentence of not more than 3 months
  • A fine not exceeding $1,000
  • The revocation period for the offender’s driver’s license is 1 month

 
However if the offender’s BAC level was more than .20 or if at the time of the offence, the offender had a passenger who is below 16 years, the offender will be fined up to $3,000 and imprisoned for a maximum of one year.

For second time offenders within ten years of the previous conviction, they face:

  • A prison sentence of up to 3 months
  • A fine not exceeding $1,000
  • The offender must perform eight hours of community service per day or serve a sentence of at least one month
  • The revocation period for the offender’s driver’s license is 6 months

 
For third time DUI offenders within ten years of the previous offense, they face:

  • A prison sentence not exceeding 1 year
  • A fine of up to $3,000
  • The offender must serve 3 months in prison or serve at least six days in a local correctional facility
  • The revocation period for the offender’s driver’s license is at least 1 year

 
However, if the BAC level of the offender was more than .20 or at the time of the offence the offender had a passenger who is less than 16 years, he/she faces a prison sentence of more than one year.

The Point System in Minnesota

Minnesota Driver Vehicle System (DDVS) does have the point system. However, there is a Minnesota Safe and Sober Campaign which is enforced by the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety which oversees the safety programs in Minnesota.

 

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