Young drivers who are arrested under the “not a drop” law face license suspension in almost all cases if it is later determined that they consumed alcohol before driving. The law says that if a young driver is found guilty of violating the law, his or her license will be suspended for 30 days for first time violations and 180 days for additional offenses. If the teen’s BAC is discovered to exceed 0.08 percent (the legal limit for adult drivers), then the young driver will face adult consequences. The same laws that apply to adults will then be applied to the young driver, meaning fines, court costs, community service, license revocation and even jail time are possible.
Another important thing to understand when discussing underage drivers in Minnesota is that their cases will typically be handled in adult court. Only drivers younger than 17 will have the matter decided in juvenile court; the rest can expect to see ordinary judges in an ordinary courtroom situation, something that can intimidate many parents and minors. Though you may feel intimidated, know that young offenders have the same right to representation as adult offenders given the real consequences that are on the line.
Source: “Understanding Minnesota Traffic Law for Drivers Under Age 18,” published at DPS.MN.Gov.