You may be granted a hardship license if there is an absolute need to use your vehicle to get to work, to attend classes at a post-secondary educational facility, to receive medical treatment, to provide for your family’s nutritional needs, or to attend chemical dependency counseling.
As the applicant, you have the burden of proving that using public transportation or similar alternatives is not feasible and constitutes a significant hardship on your part. In some scenarios, you may be required to provide proof of insurance coverage.
In order to apply for a hardship license, you must wait anywhere from 15 days to a year from the time you were convicted or arrested for DWI depending on your history. You will also need to apply for a new Minnesota driver’s license and pay the accompanying fees, as well as pass all tests required of you.
Individuals convicted of a Minnesota DWI with a BAC level of .16 or more, however, are not entitled to apply for a hardship license.