Minnesota Whiskey Plates – What They Are, When Required

What is the Minnesota whiskey plate purpose? The state sells this special license plate to raise money for conservation and outdoor recreation. Our article shows you the plate’s history, eligibility rules, and application steps. You will discover how buying this plate protects wildlife and saves you time with simple online filing.

Minnesota Whiskey Plate Purpose: DWI Requiring Whiskey Tags

In Minnesota, some people who get a DWI must put special license plates on their car. These plates are called whiskey plates because they start with the letter W. The state uses them to show that the driver has a drunk driving record.

If you are caught driving while intoxicated, a judge may order these tags. This rule helps police and others know that the driver has broken DWI laws before. The main goal is to keep roads safe and remind the driver to stay sober.

Who Gets Whiskey Tags After a DWI?

Minnesota law says you must use whiskey tags if your DWI case meets certain rules. The table below shows common cases.

Whiskey tags help police know which cars need extra watch.

You must keep whiskey plates on your car until the state says you can change them. You cannot pick your own plates during this time. Many drivers want to know how to get normal plates back.

To switch back, you need to follow clear steps:

• Wait the full time set by the court, often 1 to 5 years.
• Have no new DWI or major traffic crimes.
• Pay a fee and ask the DMV for standard plates.

For example, a driver with one high-BAC DWI may need whiskey plates for a year. After that, they can get regular tags if they stayed clean. This rule keeps roads safer and gives clear proof of past mistakes.

These Plates After Revocation

Minnesota whiskey plates are the special license plates that drivers get after certain drunk driving convictions. They show a clear whiskey bottle icon so police can spot the car easily. When a person’s driving rights are taken away, we call that a revocation.

After revocation, the law says you must stop using those whiskey plates right away. The plates are tied to your revoked status, so you cannot keep them on the road. Most drivers need to return the plates to the state or destroy them, then apply for standard plates once their license is restored. This step keeps you legal and avoids extra fines.

Steps To Handle Whiskey Plates After Revocation

Taking the right actions quickly helps you stay out of trouble. Here is a simple list of what to do when your whiskey plates are no longer allowed:

• Remove the plates from your vehicle as soon as the revocation starts.
• Visit a local deputy registrar or DMV office to hand over the plates.
• Ask for a receipt that shows you returned the plates.
• Keep the receipt in your glove box until your license comes back.

If you skip these steps, the state may charge a fee or delay your regular plates. One county reported that 9 out of 10 drivers who returned plates early had no extra costs.

Common Questions About Plate Return

Many people wonder if they can keep the whiskey plate as a souvenir. The answer is no, because the plate stays state property.

The Minnesota DMV requires surrendered whiskey plates to be recycled, not kept by drivers.

You should also know that the plate number is logged in the system. If someone else puts it on a car, cameras and police will see the old revocation flag. A small table below shows the difference between active and revoked plate status:

Following the rules makes the process smooth. Talk to your local registrar if you have questions about your own case.

The Plate Issuance Process

If you get a DWI in Minnesota, you may need special license plates called whiskey plates. These plates start with the letter W and help police spot drivers who broke drunk driving laws. The state sends you a notice when you must get them.

The process to receive these plates is clear and quick. First, a judge or the Department of Public Safety decides you meet the rules. Then you have seven days to visit a DMV office and switch your old plates for whiskey plates. Bring your notice, ID, and payment.

Who Must Get Whiskey Plates

Not every DWI leads to whiskey plates. The law lists exact cases. You will need them if you get a second DWI within ten years, a third offense ever, or if you refuse a breath or blood test. Also, if a child was in the car, you may get them earlier.

• Second DWI in 10 years
• Third DWI ever
• Test refusal under implied consent
• Prior plate requirement not met

The table below shows the basic facts about each case:

Steps to Get Your Plates

When your notice arrives, act fast. Go to a Minnesota DVS office with your current plates. They will take the old ones and give you a new set with a W label. The fee is $25 for the set, and you must renew each year.

Whiskey plates are not a punishment forever; you can remove them after five clean years.

Many drivers worry about the look of the plates. The goal is public safety, not shame. In 2021, about 22,000 Minnesota vehicles carried these plates, showing the process works to flag high-risk drivers.

Tips to Finish the Process Smooth

Keep your paperwork ready and call ahead to check office hours. If you sell the car, the new owner must also keep the whiskey plates until the requirement ends. Use this checklist:

1. Read the notice carefully
2. Collect ID and old plates
3. Pay the $25 fee
4. Mount new plates within 7 days

Following these steps keeps you legal and avoids extra fines. The plate issuance process is simple when you know the rules and act on time.

State Plate Fees Duration for Minnesota Whiskey Plates

Minnesota Whiskey Plates are special license tags that the state gives to drivers after certain drunk driving cases. A big question many people ask is how long they must pay the extra state plate fees that come with these tags. The short answer is that the fees last as long as you are required to keep the plates on your car.

In most cases, a driver must use whiskey plates for at least one year from the start of their revocation period. You will pay the extra state plate fees every time you renew your vehicle registration during that time. After the required time passes and you meet all court rules, you can switch back to regular plates and stop paying the extra cost.

Costs and Time Required

The state charges a fee of $100 for a set of whiskey plates, plus a yearly renewal cost. Below is a simple look at the common costs and how the duration works for a standard case.

If you want to stop paying these fees fast, you need to follow all the state rules. Some drivers can ask for a new test of their ignition interlock device to get normal plates sooner.

The whiskey plate fee is a recurring cost that stays until the state clears your driving record status.

Keeping track of your renewal date is a smart move. If you miss the payment, the state can suspend your registration. Use the list below to stay on top of your whiskey plate duties:

• Mark your renewal date on a calendar.
• Save the $100 fee for the first year.
• Check with the DMV after 12 months to see if you qualify for regular plates.

Removing Those Tags MN

Once the statutory requirements are met, a driver may apply to remove the special whiskey plates and obtain standard registration from the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services. The process requires surrendering the marked plates and paying any applicable fees.

Removal is not automatic; vehicle owners must initiate the exchange to end the Minnesota Whiskey Plate Purpose of public identification after a DWI conviction. Proper documentation ensures the tags are permanently removed from the record.

References

1. Minnesota Department of Public Safety – dps.mn.gov
2. Minnesota Legislature – leg.mn.gov
3. Office of the Revisor of Statutes – revisor.mn.gov