Minnesota Statutes

Minn. Stat. § 171.24 (2026)

Violations; Driving Without Valid License

✓ current as of May 2026

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Subdivision 1.Driving after suspension; misdemeanor.

Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 5, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if:

(1) the person's driver's license or driving privilege has been suspended;

(2) the person has been given notice of or reasonably should know of the suspension; and

(3) the person disobeys the order by operating in this state any motor vehicle, the operation of which requires a driver's license, while the person's license or privilege is suspended.

Subd. 2.Driving after revocation; penalties.

(a) A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if:

(1) the person's driver's license or driving privilege has been revoked;

(2) the person has been given notice of or reasonably should know of the revocation; and

(3) the person disobeys the order by operating in this state any motor vehicle, the operation of which requires a driver's license, while the person's license or privilege is revoked.

(b) A person who violates paragraph (a) is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if the person is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless the person participates in the ignition interlock device program.

Subd. 3.Driving after cancellation; misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if:

(1) the person's driver's license or driving privilege has been canceled;

(2) the person has been given notice of or reasonably should know of the cancellation; and

(3) the person disobeys the order by operating in this state any motor vehicle, the operation of which requires a driver's license, while the person's license or privilege is canceled.

Subd. 4.Driving after disqualification; misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if the person:

(1) has been disqualified from holding a commercial driver's license or been denied the privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle;

(2) has been given notice of or reasonably should know of the disqualification; and

(3) disobeys the order by operating in this state a commercial motor vehicle while the person is disqualified to hold the license or privilege.

Subd. 5.Gross misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if:

(1) the person's driver's license or driving privilege has been canceled or denied under section 171.04, subdivision 1, clause (10);

(2) the person has been given notice of or reasonably should know of the cancellation or denial; and

(3) the person disobeys the order by operating in this state any motor vehicle, the operation of which requires a driver's license, while the person's license or privilege is canceled or denied.

Subd. 6.Responsibility for prosecution.

The attorney in the jurisdiction in which the violation occurred who is responsible for prosecution of misdemeanor violations of this section is also responsible for prosecution of gross misdemeanor violations of this section.

Subd. 7.Sufficiency of notice.

(a) Notice of revocation, suspension, cancellation, or disqualification is sufficient if personally served, or if mailed by first class mail to the person's last known address or to the address listed on the person's driver's license. Notice is also sufficient if the person was informed that revocation, suspension, cancellation, or disqualification would be imposed upon a condition occurring or failing to occur, and where the condition has in fact occurred or failed to occur.

(b) It is not a defense that a person failed to file a change of address with the post office, or failed to notify the Department of Public Safety of a change of name or address as required under section 171.11.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 115 cases (15 in the last 5 years), 1959–2026 · leading case: State v. Busse, 644 N.W.2d 79 (Minn. 2002).

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State v. Busse, 644 N.W.2d 79 (Minn. 2002). · cites it 88× “was charged with a gross misdemeanor for driving on a Clearwater County road after cancellation of his Minnesota driver's license as inimical to public safety under Minn.Stat. § 171.24, subd. 5 (1998). [1] Busse's driver's license had been canceled on January 1, 1998.”

State v. Losh, 755 N.W.2d 736 (Minn. 2008). · cites it 81× “Appellant William Losh, who is a member of the Mille Lacs Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, challenges his conviction of driving a motor vehicle after revocation, in violation of Minn.Stat. § 171.24, subd. 2 (2006), arguing that the court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction.”

State v. Johnson, 598 N.W.2d 680 (Minn. 1999). · cites it 89× “791 (1998), and driving after revocation in violation of Minn.Stat. § 171.24, subd. 2 (1998), when these offenses are committed by enrolled tribal members on the tribal reservation.”

State v. Henning, 666 N.W.2d 379 (Minn. 2003). · cites it 20× “Appellant Joel Robert Henning was charged in Olmsted County with driving after revocation, Minn.Stat. § 171.24, subd. 2 (2002), no driver's license in possession, Minn.”

State v. Brooks, 838 N.W.2d 563 (Minn. 2013). · cites it 4× “After the Shakopee incident, Brooks was also charged with driving after his license had been cancelled, Minn.Stat. § 171.24, subd. 5 (2012), possession of drug paraphernalia, Minn.”

State of Minnesota v. Jose Martin Lugo, Jr., 887 N.W.2d 476 (Minn. 2016). · cites it 4× “2(a)(1), 3(b) (2014) (possession of methamphetamine); driving after revocation, Minn. Stat. § 171.24 , subd. 2 (2014); and possession of drug paraphernalia, Minn.”

State v. Kier, 678 N.W.2d 672 (Minn. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 8× “045 (2002), and driving after cancellation under Minn.Stat. § 171.24, subd. 5 (2002). He challenges his convictions arguing the police did not have probable cause to believe he was driving under the influence of alcohol.”

State v. Lee, 706 N.W.2d 491 (Minn. 2005). · cites it 4× “Respondent Dennis Gordon Lee pleaded guilty on June 21, 2004, to two misdemeanors: violation of Minn.Stat. § 171.24, subd. 2 (2004) (driving after revocation), and Minn.”

State v. Underdahl, 767 N.W.2d 677 (Minn. 2009). · cites it 4× “24 and driving after cancellation of a driver's license, Minn.Stat. § 171.24, subd. 5 (2008). Brunner brought a motion for discovery of the computer source code for the Minnesota model of the Intoxilyzer 5000EN.”

State v. Allen, 706 N.W.2d 40 (Minn. 2005). · cites it 4× “Minn.Stat. § 171.24, subd. 5 (2004). Allen entered a negotiated plea of guilty to first-degree test refusal in exchange for dismissal of the other charges.”

State v. Fuller, 374 N.W.2d 722 (Minn. 1985). · cites it 4× “2 (1984), and driving after suspension of his license, Minn.Stat. § 171.24 (1984). The charges stemmed from a February 1983 incident reported by a woman with whom defendant had lived in 1978 and with whom he had a son.”

State v. Chauvin, 723 N.W.2d 20 (Minn. 2006). · cites it 4× “'s daughter became suspicious and called the police, who identified and arrested Chauvin. On April 28, 2004, Chauvin was charged by complaint with felony theft by swindle, Minn.”

Show all 115 citing cases →

— Minn. Stat. § 171.24(a) — 1 case

State v. Larson, 502 N.W.2d 60 (Minn. Ct. App. 1993).

— Minn. Stat. § 171.24(c)(1) — 1 case

State v. Bishop, 545 N.W.2d 689 (Minn. Ct. App. 1996).

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