Driving without a license? Consequences could become more severe

Minnesotans who get behind the wheel without a valid driver’s license could face stiffer penalties for their crime.

Driving after a license has been suspended, revoked or canceled is now considered a misdemeanor under Minnesota law. HF192, sponsored by Rep. Josh Heintzeman (R-Nisswa), would make the violation a gross misdemeanor if the person driving after a loss of driving privileges were to cause a crash that results in substantial bodily harm or death, or commits the violation for a third time or more in a 10-year period.

Rep. Josh Heintzeman

The House Transportation and Regional Governance Policy Committee approved the bill Monday and referred it to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee. There is no Senate companion.

A constituent of Heintzeman’s brought him the idea for the legislation after their daughter was grievously injured in a crash caused by an unlicensed driver who had been repeatedly cited, he told the committee.

Despite the serious nature of the crash, there were no sentencing guidelines for stricter penalties. That, Heintzeman said, necessitated his proposed changes.

The bill would also set minimum fine levels for repeat offenders at $750 for a second conviction and $1,500 for a third or subsequent conviction.  A court could order community service in place of a fine if it deems the fine would create an undue hardship on the offender.

Rep. Jerry Hertaus (R-Greenfield) expressed concern that additional penalties would make it harder for those already unable to pay for the costs of reinstating their license. Reinstatement fees can be a huge burden, he said, and leads many with revoked licenses to drive anyway to get to their jobs.

“We need to do something to allow these people” to reinstate their licenses if they aren’t a threat to public safety,” Hertaus said.