What statute defines DWI in Minnesota?

Minn. Stat. § 169A.20 is the controlling DWI statute in Minnesota. You can read the current text on the official code site at revisor.mn.gov.

What is the Minnesota implied-consent law?

Minn. Stat. § 169A.51 is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful DWI arrest.

Minnesota DUI Statutes: The Code Sections That Control Your Case

The statutes that control Minnesota DWI cases

DWI in Minnesota is defined by Minn. Stat. § 169A.20, and the chemical-testing rules sit in Minn. Stat. § 169A.51. Both are published in the official state code at revisor.mn.gov, which is the only version that governs — summaries elsewhere, including ours, can lag amendments.

Minnesota official code — DWI statute

Statutory text, definitions, BAC thresholds and sentencing ranges.

Implied-consent provision

What refusing a breath, blood or urine test costs you.

Statute at a glance

Minnesota DWI law at a glance

Sourced from the Minnesota code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.

Offense name: DWI (Minnesota)
Controlling statute: Minn. Stat. § 169A.20
Implied consent: Minn. Stat. § 169A.51
Per se BAC limit: 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
Licence hearing deadline: 30 days after arrest
Prior-offense lookback: 10 years
First-offense fine: up to $1,000
First-offense jail exposure: up to 3 months
Licence suspension: 3 months
Ignition interlock: Not automatic on a first offense
Trial court: the District Court
High-risk filing: SR-22 for 3 years

A first offense is a misdemeanor with up to 90 days jail and a $1,000 fine.

First-offense exposure under Minn. Stat. § 169A.20: up to $1,000, up to 3 months of jail exposure, and a 3 months licence suspension. A first offense is a misdemeanor with up to 90 days jail and a $1,000 fine.

What Minn. Stat. § 169A.20 actually says

Minn. Stat. § 169A.20, subd. 1(1) — driving, operating or being in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Minn. Stat. § 169A.20, subd. 1(2) — the same while under the influence of a controlled substance.
Minn. Stat. § 169A.20, subd. 1(3) — the same while under the influence of an intoxicating substance.

Charging documents cite the exact subsection, so check which one appears on your citation. The posted text on revisor.mn.gov carries an effective date — amendments passed after it are not yet reflected.

Other Minnesota sections that control the case

Minn. Stat. § 169A.20

The driving-while-impaired offense.

Minn. Stat. § 171.29

Conditions, including examination, for reinstating a revoked licence.

Minnesota ZIP codes covered

These Minnesota ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.

Browse all Minnesota ZIP codes.

Counties and cities using these Minnesota resources

Other Minnesota official resources

Minnesota DUI Courts: Where Your Case Is Heard Minnesota Driver Licensing After a DUI: Hearings, Reinstatement & SR-22

Frequently asked questions

What statute defines DWI in Minnesota?: Minn. Stat. § 169A.20 is the controlling DWI statute in Minnesota. You can read the current text on the official code site at revisor.mn.gov.
What is the Minnesota implied-consent law?: Minn. Stat. § 169A.51 is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful DWI arrest.