If you’ve been arrested for driving while impaired (DWI) in Minnesota, you already know the process can be swift and severe. Starting August 1, 2025, new laws will make Minnesota’s DWI plate impoundment process even stricter. These updates affect how license plates are seized, the length and validity of temporary vehicle permits, and the penalties for failing to comply with impoundment orders.
Whether you’re a first-time offender or dealing with multiple DWI incidents, understanding these new laws is critical. In this blog, we’ll break down the key changes to:
DWI plate impoundment is a process where the state seizes and invalidates the license plates of a vehicle involved in a DWI or related offense. This civil administrative penalty often accompanies criminal charges but operates separately.
Impoundment typically applies when:
Previously, vehicle owners were required to surrender their plates or receive specially coded “whiskey plates.” With the 2025 revisions, the system is being modernized and streamlined, with tougher penalties and tighter deadlines.
One of the most important changes is the authorization for peace officers to invalidate license plates by attaching a permanent sticker instead of physically seizing the plates. This change simplifies enforcement and makes the impoundment immediately visible to law enforcement and the public.
Penalty for tampering: Intentionally removing, damaging, or obliterating the sticker is a crime.
If your plates weren’t physically seized at the time of arrest, you now have 14 days (up from 7) to surrender them to law enforcement. Failure to do so is a criminal offense, and your plates will be invalid.
All surrendered or seized plates must either be destroyed or marked with a permanent sticker, and law enforcement must notify the Department of Public Safety (DPS) accordingly.
When plates are impounded, drivers may be issued a temporary vehicle permit—essential for driving legally while arrangements are made for special registration plates or appeals.
This change gives vehicle owners and drivers more time to:
The 2025 law significantly expands criminal liability for violations related to plate impoundment. The following actions now carry misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor penalties:
Driving a vehicle under impoundment without proper plates.
Filing a false statement regarding plate impoundment.
Removing or damaging the new permanent sticker.
Letting someone under impoundment drive your car without disclosure.
Operating a non-interlock vehicle when restricted.
These laws carry increasing penalties for repeated violations or if the driver has other restricted license conditions.
Drivers impacted by plate impoundment retain the right to judicial review. However, you must act quickly.
Hiring an experienced Minnesota DWI attorney is crucial if you’re challenging an impoundment or a refusal designation. Your attorney can file necessary motions, help preserve driving privileges, and minimize collateral consequences.
Violators may apply for special series registration plates (commonly referred to as “whiskey plates”). These are distinguishable and required if the original plates were impounded.
In some cases, ignition interlock installation on the vehicle may satisfy the requirement for special plates. However, the interlock must be active and reported to DPS to be valid.
Ignoring a plate impoundment notice carries steep risks:
In short, compliance within the 14-day window is serious.
A: Yes, but only during the valid period—14 or 45 days depending on who owns the vehicle.
A: It’s a misdemeanor offense starting August 1, 2025.
A: In many cases, yes—unless the ignition interlock satisfies the requirements outlined by DPS.
A: Yes, you can file a petition for review, but time limits apply.
A: The permit may be valid for 45 days, but special plates or other requirements may still apply.
Plate impoundment is more than an inconvenience; it’s a serious legal issue with long-term consequences. A DWI defense attorney can help you:
At Kohlmeyer Hagen Law Office, we’ve helped hundreds of Minnesotans fight DWI related penalties. From Mankato to Rochester and beyond, we know how to handle the DPS and court system to protect your future.
Minnesota’s 2025 DWI law changes bring more than just extended revocation periods—they also reshape how license plates are impounded and how you’re allowed to legally drive afterward. With expanded sticker enforcement, longer permit periods, and increased penalties for noncompliance, the stakes are higher than ever.
If you or someone you know is facing a DWI plate impoundment in Minnesota, don’t wait until it’s too late.
If you’ve been arrested for DWI in Minnesota, the new 2025 laws aren’t just red tape—they’re legal minefields. One missed deadline, one incorrect assumption, or one uninformed decision could lead to criminal charges, extended revocations, or even vehicle forfeiture. At Kohlmeyer Hagen Law Office, we stay ahead of legislative changes so you don’t have to. We’ve helped hundreds of clients across Mankato, Rochester, and Southern Minnesota protect their licenses, challenge impoundments, and fight for second chances. Call us today at 507-625-5000 for a free consultation—and let’s protect your rights, your car, and your future.
