HF4474 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Revocation and licensing requirements established for violations of impaired driving laws involving substances other than alcohol, rulemaking authorized, and money appropriated.
Related bill: SF4665
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- Establish a new framework for revoking, denying, and reinstating driving privileges when the driver is impaired by substances other than alcohol.
- Create and fund programs to enforce these rules, including ignition interlock and substance use testing requirements.
- Update Minnesota law to address drug-impaired driving and related offenses, and provide rules for implementing these changes.
Key Terms Used in the Bill
- Alcohol-related violation
- Substancerelated violation
- Ignition interlock device (IID)
- Ignition interlock program
- Substance use testing program
- Qualified prior impaired driving incident
- Driving while impaired (DWI) and related offenses
- Restricted license
- Program participant
Main Provisions and What They Do
Redefined categories and definitions
- Creates two main categories of violations: alcohol-related violations and substance-related violations (including drugs and cannabis products).
- Introduces the ignition interlock device and a substance use testing program as required remedies for certain violations.
Revocation, denial, and reinstatement rules
- Sets specific license revocation periods based on:
- Whether there were prior impaired driving incidents
- Type of violation (alcohol-related vs substance-related)
- Whether the incident caused bodily harm, great bodily harm, or death
- Adds special rules for out-of-state convictions that would be grounds for revocation in Minnesota.
- Establishes a process for denying or canceling licenses when a driver is deemed inimical to public safety (two or more qualified prior incidents).
Test refusal and test failure consequences
- Defines how long a license must be revoked if the driver refuses to submit to tests or if test results show impairment.
- Specifies longer revocation periods for young drivers or for higher levels of impairment.
Ignition interlock and testing requirements
- Requires program participants to install and keep an ignition interlock device in any vehicle they drive (with limited exceptions for employer vehicles).
- Requires participation in the ignition interlock program (and/or the substance use testing program) as a condition of reinstating full driving privileges.
- Allows restrictions or conditional reinstatement (e.g., a restricted license) while still in the program.
- Provides processes for extending program requirements if a participant tests positive or fails to meet abstinence or treatment standards.
Rehabilitation and treatment prerequisites
- Before full reinstatement, participants with certain prior incidents or chemical use assessments must complete a licensed treatment or rehabilitation program.
- Requires proof of abstinence comparable to the program’s standards before full driving privileges are restored.
Administrative details and implementation
- The Department must implement rules, establish guidelines, and designate authorized installation centers for ignition interlock devices.
- Requires proof of insurance coverage for vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device in some cases.
- Allows employers to permit employees to drive employer-owned vehicles under specific conditions.
Special provisions for restricted licenses
- A restricted class D license can be issued to program participants under certain restrictions and guidelines.
- The commissioner cannot require payment of certain reinstatement fees before issuing a restricted license, but full reinstatement requires paying those fees.
Termination and reentry into programs
- If a participant’s license is withdrawn for non-alcohol-related reasons, they may still earn credit toward time in the ignition interlock program if they keep the device serviced.
- Reentry into the program after termination is possible, but reinstatement timelines follow the longer of the applicable or previously required periods.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- New dual framework for impairment: separate handling for alcohol-related violations and substance-related violations (including cannabis and other drugs).
- Expanded use of ignition interlock and new substance use testing programs as mandatory conditions of license reinstatement.
- Longer and more flexible revocation periods tied to the severity of harm and prior history.
- New designation of “inimical to public safety” leading to license cancellation and mandatory rehabilitation before reinstatement.
- Reinstatement and restricted licensing processes that emphasize treatment, abstinence, and device compliance.
- Clear integration of out-of-state convictions with Minnesota revocation rules.
- Enhanced role of the Department in rulemaking and program administration, with funding authority for implementation.
Practical Effects (What This Means for Drivers)
- People charged with drug-impaired driving or other substance-related impairments may face longer license suspensions and more stringent requirements to regain driving privileges.
- If you have multiple impaired driving incidents, you could face longer revocation periods or even license cancellation.
- Driving again after an impairment offense will likely require installing and operating an ignition interlock device and possibly participating in a substance use testing program and treatment.
- Out-of-state offenses could trigger Minnesota revocation or stricter requirements.
- In some cases, drivers may temporarily receive a restricted license with IID restrictions while completing program requirements.
Implementation Highlights
- Department will set rules, guidelines, and installation centers for ignition interlock devices.
- Programs require verification of insurance for vehicles with IID.
- Reinstatement processes will require proof of treatment or abstinence and compliance with IID or testing program requirements.
- Violations involving bodily harm or death carry stricter timelines and prerequisites for restoration of driving privileges.
Relevant Terms - alcohol-related violation - substancerelated violation - ignition interlock device (IID) - ignition interlock program - substance use testing program - driving while impaired (DWI) - qualified prior impaired driving incident - revocation - denial - reinstatement - restricted license - inimical to public safety - bodily harm - great bodily harm - death - out-of-state conviction - program participant - testing period - treatment or rehabilitation program - ignition interlock device program restrictions - insurance certification (noncancelable)
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 18, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Transportation Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute being amended related to revocation, denial, and reinstatement for driving while impaired (DWI) and related offenses.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.178",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute referenced in the definitions of alcohol-related and substancerelated violations.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169A.51",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute referenced in the definitions of alcohol-related and substancerelated violations.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169A.52",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute referenced in context of prior impaired driving and ignition interlock requirements.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.177",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute provision defining or referencing elements of a prior impaired driving incident.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169A.03",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 22"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute referenced for DWI offenses (driving under the influence) with a specific subsection on penalties or consequences.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169A.20",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute referenced for DWI offenses (refusal to submit to chemical test) with additional provisions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169A.20",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute defining ignition interlock device terms used in the program.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.306",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute governing issuance of restricted licenses to ignition interlock program participants.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.306",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute related to termination from the ignition interlock program and reentry provisions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.306",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 10"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute addressing conditions for reinstatement and duration of program requirements.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.306",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute relating to testing requirements within the substance use testing program.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.307",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute establishing license revocation periods for out-of-state offenses that would be grounds for revocation in Minnesota.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169A.54",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute used in relation to revocation or restriction decisions based on prior incidents; referenced in paragraphs describing conviction effects.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.17",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute used for designation of inimical public safety and related license actions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.04",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute describing elements related to driving while under the influence involving alcohol, controlled substances, or other substances; referenced with paragraph and clause specifics.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.2112",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute describing additional elements for substancerelated violations with subdivision 1 references.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.2113",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute describing additional elements for substancerelated violations with subdivision 2 references.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.2113",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute describing additional elements for substancerelated violations with subdivision 3 references.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.2113",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute describing additional elements for ignition interlock or related violations with subdivision 1 references.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.2114",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute describing additional elements for ignition interlock or related violations with subdivision 2 references.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.2114",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute referenced in relation to penalties or licensing provisions (DUI-related sections in Chapter 169).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169.791",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute referenced in relation to penalties or licensing provisions (DUI-related sections in Chapter 169).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169.793",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute referenced in relation to penalties or licensing provisions (DUI-related sections in Chapter 169).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169.797",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute referenced for reinstatement prerequisites related to sections 169A.55 and 171.178.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169A.55",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute used to govern licensing actions such as cancellation or denial in certain contexts.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.14",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute referenced for suspension or conditional reinstatement contexts related to ignition interlock and related programs.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.187",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited statute referencing the period required for testing and abstinence after ignition interlock or related programs.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.178",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 8"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee