Minnesota License Restrictions
In order to keep you and other drivers surrounding you on the road safe, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety may be required to place a restriction onto you Minnesota driver license. Such drivers license restrictions usually denote a limitation in your driving skill or a physical disability that may affect your driving performance, such as poor eye sight. Restrictions are placed onto your driver license during the initial application. Minnesota provisional license restrictions are a separate group of limitations and requirements presented before teenage drivers and are part of the state's graduated license program.
Driver License Restriction Codes
Most states make the list of driver's license restriction codes available to the audience by publishing it in a drivers license handbook or on the DPS website, however we were not able to locate this list anywhere, so don't bother downloading the Minnesota drivers handbook. Should you have questions about a specific drivers license restriction, your only option is to contact the DPS directly, either over the phone or by visiting a local branch.
Provisional License Restrictions
Provisional license restrictions are part of Minnesota's graduate driver license program and they apply only to drivers who choose to obtain a driver license before turning 18. If you receive a Minnesota drivers license after your 18th birthday, you do not need to concern yourself with provisional license restrictions.
According to the graduated license program, teen drivers have to follow a multi-step licensing procedure. It start with taking a Minnesota permit test and obtaining an instructional permit. The permit grants limited driving privileges and multiple Minnesota permit restrictions need to be observed while operating under a permit. Once the permit holders meets all permit requirements, a driving test can be scheduled. Those who successfully pass the driving test can upgrade their Minnesota drivers permit to a provisional drivers license.
The following junior driver license restrictions need to be observed after you pass the driving test in Minnesota:
- Curfew. The nighttime driving restriction prohibits driving between midnight and 5 a.m. for the first 6 months following the issuance of the provisional license. This rule does not apply if you are traveling between home and work / school event, driving for employment purposes or when you are accompanied by a person who holds a valid Minnesota drivers license and is no younger than 25 years of age.
- Passenger restrictions. For the first six months, no more than one passenger under age of 20 is allowed to be present in the vehicle. During the second six months, no more than three passengers under the age of 20 are permitted to be present in the vehicle. Passenger restrictions do not apply if a parent or legal guardian is present in the vehicle or when underage passengers are members of driver's family.
In most cases, provisional license restrictions in Minnesota must be observed for 12 months, however if you are caught breaking these rules, the restricted driving period may be extended by another six or twelve months. Accumulating too many traffic offenses on your driving record will also see you lose your driving privilege.
