As we’ve talked about on the blog numerous times in the past, individuals who have been convicted of a DWI in Minnesota have the option to have a special license plate installed on their vehicle. These are known as special registration plates, but they have affectionately earned the nickname “whiskey” plates over the years because the plate starts with the letter “W” and designates that the vehicle owner has a DWI on their record.
The plates help police officers know that the vehicle’s owner has a previous DWI conviction on their record, but a whiskey plate in and of itself is not enough to pull a driver over and see if they are under the influence. An officer must witness another driving infraction in order to conduct a legal traffic stop and get further information about the driver.
If you haven’t spotted a whiskey plate or were unfamiliar with the term prior to reading this blog, you’re not alone. Their use has declined rapidly in recent years, and for good reason. In today’s blog, we explain why you’re seeing a lot fewer whiskey plates on the road in Minnesota of late.
The Decline Of Whiskey Plates
Years ago, whiskey plates were a requirement in order for a person to maintain certain driving abilities in the wake of a DWI. You didn’t have to get the plates installed, but then you were unable to legally drive for an extended period of time. You could wait out your revocation period and then reapply for a driver’s license, or you could apply for the special registration plates and drive sooner, albeit with a proverbial scarlet letter on your vehicle.
And while special registration plates are still available, Minnesota revamped their post-DUI conviction policy for individuals who hope to maintain their driving privileges. In 2021, the state updated the law so that drivers could install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle and maintain their driving privileges instead of having special registration plates installed. This change was beneficial to all parties because:
- Drivers would not be able to get their vehicles to start without blowing under the legal limit.
- Drivers would not have the visible stigma of the whiskey plates.
- Police would not be able to profile drivers simply by looking at their vehicle from afar.
- The public is safer when ignition interlock devices are used instead of whiskey plates.
However, it’s worth noting that the driver can still pursue whiskey plates in lieu of an ignition interlock device if they so choose, although it may lead to additional driving restrictions. If a driver chooses not to participate in the ignition interlock program, or they fail to complete the program, they may need to pursue special registration plates if they hope to continue driving in a limited capacity.
So while you may not be noticing as many whiskey plates on the road as you did in the past, know that they are not extinct here in Minnesota. And if you end up facing a drunk driving charge and are hoping to avoid needing whiskey pates or an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, turn to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm. For more information, or for help with a different criminal matter, give our team a call today at (952) 224-2277.
