Minnesota DWI License Reinstatement: Fees, Steps, and the Written Test Question

The $680 Fee Is the Starting Point, Not the Whole Story

Getting your license back after a Minnesota DWI requires clearing a series of administrative checkpoints with Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), and the $680 reinstatement fee is just the first gate. The fee itself breaks down into a $250 reinstatement base fee and a $430 statutory surcharge under Minn. Stat. § 171.29. On top of that, you'll pay $18.50–$26.75 for the Class D license application depending on card type.

The fee is non-negotiable, but the timing is flexible. DVS offers a partial-pay program that lets you reinstate your license for an initial payment of $395 ($365 plus a $30 filing fee), with the remaining $345 ($315 plus $30) due within two years. One important caveat: drivers enrolled in the Driver Diversion Program or convicted of criminal vehicular operation cannot use the partial-pay option.

If you're enrolled in the ignition interlock program, you can begin driving before the $680 is fully paid — but the fee must be completely paid before you can transition to an unrestricted license.

The Written Test Is Gone (For Most Drivers)

In late 2021, Minnesota eliminated the written DWI knowledge test for standard Class D license reinstatements. This trips up a lot of people because many attorney blogs and even some DVS materials still reference it.

The written test remains mandatory for a few specific situations:

• Under-18 drivers subject to Vanessa's Law
• Third-time or repeat offenders whose licenses are canceled as inimical to public safety
• Out-of-state license holders establishing a new Minnesota license after an out-of-state revocation

If you're a first-time offender with a standard Class D license, you will not need to take a written test.

The Treatment Completion Requirement Under HF 2130

This is the requirement that catches people off guard. Under the 2025 legislative reforms (House File 2130, effective August 1, 2025), completing a licensed substance use disorder treatment program is now a mandatory prerequisite for full license reinstatement — not just a probation condition.

DVS has the authority to hold your license in restricted interlock status indefinitely until your treatment provider submits certified documentation confirming you have fully completed the recommended program. Enrollment alone is not sufficient. Completion is what clears the hold.

The treatment recommendation comes from your mandatory chemical health assessment. Whatever level of care the assessor recommends — whether it's a brief education course, outpatient group therapy, or intensive treatment — that recommendation becomes binding.

The Reinstatement Checklist

Here is the complete sequence for a standard first-offense reinstatement:

1. Serve the revocation period — 90 days for standard first offense (30 days if you pleaded guilty), one year for high BAC or test refusal
2. Complete the chemical health assessment and follow through on its treatment recommendation
3. Pay the $680 reinstatement fee (or $395 through partial-pay to start)
4. File proof of insurance — Form PS35016 or equivalent, submitted by your insurance carrier directly to DVS
5. Apply for a Class D license at a DVS exam station

If you were on the interlock program, you'll also need to provide proof of device removal and verification that no unresolved violations remain on your IID record.

The DVS Partial-Pay Program in Detail

The partial-pay program works as a two-year payment plan. You pay $395 immediately, and DVS issues a provisional reinstatement. The remaining $345 must be paid within 24 months. If you fail to pay the balance by the deadline, DVS can re-suspend your license.

This program exists specifically for drivers who cannot afford the full $680 up front. Combined with the reduced-fee interlock option (available for households below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines), it's possible to get back on the road for significantly less than the full sticker price — though the total amount owed doesn't change.

Insurance Requirements After Reinstatement

Minnesota does not use the SR-22 filing system that other states require. Instead, DVS requires an Insurance Certificate (Form PS35016) submitted directly by your insurance carrier. This certifies that you have active liability coverage on the vehicle you'll be operating.

Your insurance premiums will increase substantially after a DWI — expect the impact to last three to five years. The increase is driven by the DWI conviction on your driving record, not by the reinstatement process itself.

The Minnesota First-Offense DUI Guide includes a reinstatement sequence tracker with each DVS form, the partial-pay calculation, and specific instructions for coordinating your insurance certification with the interlock removal timeline.

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