Knowing how a DWI affects rideshare drivers in Minnesota allows you to take the right steps to protect your license and livelihood. A DWI conviction will lead to suspension or cancellation of your driver’s license. Once you lose your license, you will be ineligible for a work permit required to work for rideshare companies as a driver. You may also face jail time, fines, or ignition interlock device (IID) installation, depending on the seriousness and number of related offenses on your record.
A DWI stays on your record forever and appear on background checks conducted by potential employers. This record will lower your chances of getting employed as a rideshare driver. Hiring a Minnesota DWI attorney can help you get a positive outcome from your DWI case and avoid the harsh consequences of a conviction.
You can count on Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys if you or someone you care about has been charged with DWI in Minnesota. Call us at 952-913-1421 today so that our attorneys can start building your defense.
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DWI Laws and Rideshare Drivers in Minnesota
Under Minnesota DWI laws, you can be arrested for impaired driving if you have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%. For commercial drivers offering rideshare services, the BAC limit is 0.04%. By placing such a narrow limit, the law discourages rideshare drivers from drinking while driving. A 0.04% limit means even a single pint can get you arrested for DWI.
The legal penalties for DWI charges in Minnesota vary. The consequences become more severe depending on the number of aggravating factors accompanying the crime. DWI offenses are classified into different degrees, starting from 4th degree (least serious) to 1st degree (most serious).
A DWI charge in the 4th degree comes with a $1,000 fine and/or a 30-day jail sentence. A 3rd degree DWI is a gross misdemeanor. The third-degree offender risks a one-year prison sentence and a $3,000 fine. A 2nd degree charge carries a jail time of up to three years. First-degree DWI is considered a felony. The offender faces up to six years in jail and fines of up to $14,000.
Despite the severe consequences, over 100,000 drivers in Minnesota self-reported driving under the influence of alcohol at least once in a month in 2020.
How a DWI Can Impact Your Ability to Drive for Uber or Lyft
Uber and Lyft place a high regard on driver credentials and legal standings. You must have a clean criminal record to drive for these rideshare companies. For example, you cannot drive for Uber if you’ve been charged with a DWI within seven years of your application.
Apart from your criminal record, Uber and Lyft conduct a “Motor Vehicle Record Review”. This review involves accessing and evaluating your driving record from the Minneapolis DMV database. Your chances of driving for rideshare companies reduce if a traffic violation exists in your record.
Examples of DUI traffic violations that may ruin your driving record include:
- Drunk driving or driving while intoxicated
- Operating a vehicle with a higher BAC than the legal limit
- Hit-and-run
- Reckless driving
- Evading the police
Driving while intoxicated impairs your decision-making abilities behind the wheel. Speed violations can affect your motor vehicle record reviews. A company like Uber disqualifies you from securing a driving position if your traffic citation indicates you were driving 20mph above the set speed limit. Violations in other states may also aggravate your DUI charge and bar you from working for rideshare services in Minnesota.
Driving for Rideshare Companies After DWI
One of the immediate DWI consequences for rideshare drivers is license revocation. If your driver’s license is revoked, you’re prohibited from driving during the revocation period. The suspension period depends on the severity of the current DUI charge and any other priors. You will not be able to drive for Uber or Lyft during the suspension period unless you successfully apply for a restricted license or license reinstatement. A Minnesota DWI attorney can evaluate your case, determine your eligibility for a limited driver’s license, and guide you through the steps.
Restricted License
If you’ve had your driver’s license revoked or cancelled, you may apply for a restricted license. This license enables you to drive during the revocation or cancellation period. It restricts you to only operate vehicles with ignition interlock devices.
The device is installed in a vehicle to measure the operator’s BAC. Once you turn on the ignition key, you must blow into the device. If it detects traces of alcohol in your breath, the car doesn’t start. If the vehicle starts, it monitors and records your driving patterns and behaviors.
Not every DWI offender is eligible for a restricted driver’s license. This license is available to first-time offenders and second-time offenders whose first conviction happened more than 10 years ago.
License Reinstatement After Cancellation
If you’ve been in violation of DWI laws more than three times within 10 years, the state may cancel your driver’s license. A cancelled driver’s license means your driving privileges have been taken away. You may, however, qualify for license reinstatement after undergoing a rehabilitation program and satisfying the abstinence thresholds for the ignition interlock program.
The reinstatement application process can be complicated. There are detailed department rules guiding rehabilitation. Additionally, you must fill out legal forms while adhering to strict guidelines and statutes. Working with a Minnesota DWI attorney helps avoid mistakes that might keep your license from getting reinstated.
Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys has a stellar track record of helping rideshare drivers fight DWI charges. Contact us now for legal representation if you or a loved one is facing a DWI charge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do Rideshare Companies Perform Annual Background Checks on Drivers?
Uber and Lyft conduct yearly background checks on their drivers. That gives the company access to any DWI/DUI charges that took place within a year after securing the driving job. It also keeps the company updated on your criminal record within a year after the previous check.
When Conducting DWI Background Checks on Drivers, Which Public Databases Do Rideshare Companies Use?
Rideshare companies use a range of publicly available records when conducting background checks. Examples include court records, DMV files, the National Sex Offender Registry, and the La Crosse Tri-State database.
Are There Other Administrative Sanctions Imposed on DWI Offenders Besides License Revocation?
The state may impound your license plate, seize and sell your car, or order you to install an ignition interlock device.
