Under current Minnesota law, some drivers convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) might get their license plates impounded and need to apply for special license plates that alert police that the car’s owner was convicted of DWI.
These plates begin with the letter “W,” earning them the nickname “whiskey plates.”
Who might get these special plates?
For those who only have one conviction for DWI, the following could cause you to need whiskey plates to drive:
- Having a blood alcohol concentration higher than .16%
- Be convicted of drunk driving with a minor 15 or younger in the car
- Being a commercial driver whose BAC is higher than .04% or who has a conviction for other DWIs in the past decade
Also, anyone who was convicted of a second DWI within the same 10 years of their first conviction can be mandated to get whiskey plates. Ditto for those who rack up three or more DWI convictions in their lifetime.
Other conditions for whiskey plates
Those who got convicted of DWI after first having their driver’s license cancelled, revoked or suspended and anyone driving whose license was cancelled due to their being a public safety hazard can only operate vehicles bearing whiskey plates.
Why this is so onerous
No one wants to have plates that identify motorists as convicted drunk drivers. Not only is this devastating to their public image, but drivers may also perceive that they are now special law enforcement targets.
While police officers are not allowed to stop drivers whose vehicles have whiskey plates, it is fair to assume that any legitimate traffic stop could lead to allegations of drunk driving.
Fight back against a DWI charge
Whiskey plates are but one example of the negative consequences of a conviction for DWI. Learning more about your rights under Minnesota law is always a wise move.
