Minnesota DWI Limited License: Work Permit Rules, Hours, and Eligibility

Who Can Get a Limited License

A limited license — commonly called a work permit — is one of two paths back to driving after a Minnesota DWI. It is only available to first-time offenders whose chemical test result was below 0.16 BAC or who refused testing. If your BAC was 0.16 or higher, the limited license is completely off the table — the ignition interlock program is your only option.

The distinction matters because the limited license is cheaper than interlock (no monthly device costs), but it comes with significant driving restrictions that interlock does not impose.

The 15-Day Hard Waiting Period

Before a limited license can be issued, you must serve a mandatory 15-day waiting period that runs from the date you received the Notice and Order of Revocation. The 14-day temporary driving permit covers most of that window, so you can drive on the permit through Day 14. The limited license becomes available on Day 15 — one day after the temporary permit expires.

Once the temporary permit expires, there is no legal exception for work, medical emergencies, or childcare until the limited license is issued. Driving on a revoked license during that gap is a gross misdemeanor.

What the Restrictions Look Like

The limited license comes with strict boundaries:

• 60 hours per week maximum — you cannot drive more than 60 total hours in any seven-day period
• 6 days per week maximum — at least one day per week must be a full no-driving day
• Purpose restrictions — driving is limited to commuting to work, school, chemical dependency treatment, or meeting essential family medical and nutritional needs

There are no "go to the grocery store" or "pick up the kids from practice" exceptions unless those activities fall under the family medical/nutritional needs category. Social driving, recreational trips, and general errands are not covered.

How to Apply

The application process goes through DVS and requires:

1. Completing the 15-day hard wait — DVS will not process the application before this period ends
2. Paying the $680 reinstatement fee — or enrolling in the partial-pay program ($395 initial payment)
3. Paying the Class D license application fee — $18.50–$26.75 depending on card type
4. Meeting with a DVS evaluator — this in-person appointment verifies your eligibility and sets the terms of the limited license
5. Surrendering your existing license — you receive the limited license document in its place

Limited License vs. Interlock: The Trade-Off

The limited license costs less — no installation fee, no monthly lease, no calibration appointments. But the restrictions are meaningful:

For someone who commutes to a standard 9-to-5 job and has no other urgent driving needs, the limited license can work. For anyone with variable hours, multiple daily destinations, or a BAC at 0.16 or above, the interlock program is the practical choice.

What Happens If You Violate the Terms

Driving outside the limited license terms — exceeding 60 hours, driving on the seventh day, or driving for an unpermitted purpose — is treated as driving on a revoked license. That is a gross misdemeanor carrying up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

The Bottom Line

The limited license is the lower-cost path for standard first offenders with a BAC under 0.16, but the restrictions are real and the 15-day blackout period can be difficult to manage — especially for shift workers, single parents, or anyone in a rural area without public transit.

For a detailed comparison worksheet and step-by-step application instructions for both the limited license and interlock paths, the Minnesota First-Offense DUI Guide covers each option with specific timelines and cost projections.

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