Minnesota drivers convicted of certain DWI offenses must display special registration plates, commonly known as “whiskey plates.” These distinctive plates feature the letter “W” followed by another character and four numbers on a white background.
What Are Whiskey Plates?
Special registration plates consist of a white background with a specific format: the letter W followed by another letter and four numbers (such as WA0000). Unlike standard Minnesota plates with colorful designs, whiskey plates stand out with their stark white background.
Originally intended to give police grounds for stopping these vehicles, a 2003 Minnesota Supreme Court ruling determined that officers cannot legally stop a vehicle solely because it displays whiskey plates. Nevertheless, the plates affect all vehicles registered to the offender — not just the one driven during the offense.
When Are Whiskey Plates Required?
For first-time offenders, these plates become mandatory when the violation involves:
- A blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeding 0.16
- Having a child under 16 in the vehicle
- Being a commercial driver with a BAC of 0.04 or higher within 10 years of a previous DWI
Repeat offenders face stricter consequences. Drivers with two DWIs within a 10-year period or more than two DWIs regardless of timeframe must display whiskey plates. (This 10-year lookback period will likely change this year. A law is now pending that will increase this to 20 years and include a lifetime lookback period based on some circumstances). These plates are also required for drivers operating a vehicle on a license canceled as “inimical to public safety” or for driving after license suspension due to a DWI.
Exceptions exist for rental vehicles rented for less than 30 days and vehicles registered in other states. When someone commits a DWI in another person’s vehicle, the registered owner can petition to have their original plates returned with proper documentation.
The Process of Getting Whiskey Plates
Obtaining whiskey plates requires visiting a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office with necessary documentation. Drivers must pay $25 for each whiskey plate on each affected vehicle.
The financial impact extends to insurance rates, which typically increase substantially following a DWI conviction. Some insurers may even cancel policies, forcing drivers to seek high-risk coverage at premium rates.
Legal Implications of Whiskey Plates
The 2003 Minnesota Supreme Court decision established that police cannot stop drivers solely because they have whiskey plates. However, drivers with these plates often report heightened scrutiny from law enforcement.
The plates’ impact extends beyond the offender to family members, friends, or anyone else driving the vehicle. Minnesota law specifically prevents offenders from avoiding whiskey plates by transferring vehicle ownership to family members.
Critics argue these plates primarily serve as public shaming without effectively preventing repeat offenses, as they don’t physically prevent impaired driving.
Duration of Whiskey Plate Requirement
Minnesota law mandates whiskey plates for a minimum of one year from the offense date or until the driver regains full license validity, whichever takes longer.
Recent legislative changes provide a pathway for earlier removal. Drivers can transition from whiskey plates before the one-year mark by paying $100 for each vehicle with whiskey plates and enrolling in the state’s ignition interlock program.
The Ignition Interlock Alternative
The ignition interlock system connects to a vehicle’s ignition and requires a breath sample before allowing the engine to start. If it detects alcohol above .02, the vehicle won’t start.
In 2020, lawmakers proposed legislation to eliminate whiskey plates entirely in favor of expanding the ignition interlock program. While whiskey plates merely identify past offenders, interlock devices actively prevent impaired driving.
As mentioned above, current law offers drivers the option to choose ignition interlock instead of whiskey plates by paying $100 per vehicle and enrolling in the program. Drivers who previously paid for whiskey plates may receive credit toward this fee.
Whiskey Plates for Non-DUI Drivers
Vehicle owners sometimes face whiskey plate requirements despite never committing a DWI themselves. If someone drives your vehicle and receives a DWI, or if your name appears alongside someone convicted of a DWI on a vehicle’s registration, that vehicle requires whiskey plates.
The law provides some protections. Vehicle owners have 60 days following plate impoundment to request a hearing and present evidence that they weren’t driving, didn’t know the driver lacked a valid license, or had reported the vehicle stolen.
Know Your Rights
Minnesota’s whiskey plate system continues to evolve with alternatives like the ignition interlock program offering a more preventative approach. Recent legislative shifts suggest growing recognition that prevention may prove more effective than identification alone. Those facing DWI charges should consult qualified Minnesota DWI Attorney to understand their options regarding whiskey plates and ignition interlock programs.
Of course the best way to avoid whiskey plates after being charged with a serious DWI is to hire the best Minnesota DWI lawyers to fight the charges and license revocation. If we’re successful, drivers don’t have to worry about whiskey plates.
