Minnesota DWI laws apply to all types of motorized vehicles using the road. So, you may get arrested and charged with DWI while riding a scooter or E-bike if your blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 or more. The penalties for a DWI conviction may range from driver license suspension or revocation and fines to imprisonment. A conviction may also result in collateral consequences, including job loss and higher auto insurance premiums. A DWI lawyer can minimize the legal consequences or avoid them altogether. So, be sure to retain a lawyer immediately after you get arrested or charged for riding a scooter or e-bike while impaired.
Our DWI lawyers at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys have helped motorists mount successful defenses against DWI and DUI charges. Call us today at (952) 913-1421 to schedule a free consultation.
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Can You Legally Get a DWI While Riding a Scooter or E-Bike in Minnesota?
You don’t have to be driving a car to get a DWI. You can be legally charged for a DUI or DWI while riding an E-bike. This is because riding any motorized vehicle while impaired is a traffic violation charged under Minnesota’s DUI laws. The legal definition of a DUI is operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or other controlled substances. An individual is considered impaired if his or her blood alcohol level exceeds 0.08.
Many Minneapolis residents use electric scooters and bikes to get around the city. The most popular brands are Bird and Lime E-scooters. They are motorized two-wheeled transportation instruments. Whether they fit the legal definition of a motor vehicle is still a gray area. However, most courts in Minnesota classify them as such when resolving DWI cases.
Most E-bike operators get arrested for DUI due to their riding behaviors that pose safety risks to other road users. You’re likely to be charged if you indulge in negligent acts, such as running red lights, swerving, or causing a crash.
Penalties for Operating an E-Bike or Scooter While Intoxicated
There’s no difference between DUI and DWI. You risk going to jail, paying hefty fines, or tarnishing your record if you’re arrested for operating an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol or while impaired with controlled substances, prescription medications, or other intoxicants.
About one in every seven Minnesotans has a DWI in their record. It’s a permanent “stain” on your criminal, driving, and insurance records. The penalties for a DWI conviction can be severe if you have a prior conviction on your record. You may get an extended jail term, higher fines, and a court-ordered alcohol rehabilitation program.
The penalties can also be quite serious, even on your first arrest. Your blood alcohol content and other circumstances of the arrest are factors that may affect the seriousness of legal implications.
Besides a prison sentence or fine, a DUI arrest can dent your finances. If you include court fees, higher insurance premiums, towing costs, and alcohol rehabilitation fees, the arrest may cost you between $10,000 and $15,000. A skilled DWI lawyer can listen to your account, conduct independent investigations, and devise a strategy for avoiding a conviction or minimizing the severity of penalties.
How a DWI on a Scooter or E-Bike Can Affect Your Driver’s License
You don’t need to have a license to operate a scooter in Minnesota. Still, a DWI charge on a scooter can ruin your driving privileges. The local DMV office may suspend or revoke your license.
The suspension period depends on several factors. They include driving history, the severity of the crime, and your consent to a breathalyzer test. First-time offenders may have their licenses suspended for 90 days or one year.
Repeat offenses often face prolonged license suspension or revocation. One disadvantage of license suspensions is that offenders pay a specific fee to have their license reinstated. If your license is revoked, you lose your driving privileges.
Another problem with impaired driving is that a DWI stays in your record for your entire life. That can impact your employment prospects and housing rights. Many employers view DUI charges as a risk factor, pointing to a pattern of irresponsibility and alcohol addiction. On the other hand, landlords and property management agencies may deny you tenancy because they think you’re likely to cause problems in their properties due to intoxication.
A DWI while riding an E-bike or scooter can have life-changing legal consequences. Our experienced DWI lawyers at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys can help protect your rights. We will carefully review your case and devise an effective defense strategy. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
