Taking a closer look at Vanessa’s Law for young drivers in Minnesota
Published on February 10, 2026 at 11:08am EST | Author: henningmaster
0Ask A Trooper
Sgt. Jesse Grabow
Question: I heard about a thing called “Vanessa’s Law” the other day and I wasn’t quite sure what it was all about. I know it has to do with new or young drivers.
Answer: Vanessa Weiss was killed just days before her 16th birthday in May 2003. In her memory, Vanessa’s Law was passed a year later. She was a passenger in a vehicle driven by an unlicensed 15-year-old.
Vanessa’s Law applies to all teens who commit an impaired driving crime or crash-related moving violation but applies differently whether you have a provisional license or are unlicensed.
If you are convicted of a crash-related moving violation or an alcohol/controlled substance-related violation (such as Driving While Impaired, Implied Consent, Open Bottle, or Underage Drinking and Driving/Not a Drop Law) while you are driving without a license as a teenager, you cannot get a license, instruction permit or provisional license until you are 18. At 18, you must:
• Pass the Class D written test.
• Fulfill reinstatement requirements, including payment of fees, which can be up to $680 depending on circumstances.
• Obtain an instruction permit and hold it for at least six months.
• Pass the road test and apply for a new license.
If you lose driving privileges due to a crash-related moving violation or an alcohol/controlled substance related violation while driving with your provisional license, you cannot regain a license until age 18.
At that time, you must complete the following steps to obtain a full driver’s license:
• Fulfill all reinstatement requirements, including the payment of fees, which can be up to $680
depending on circumstances.
• Complete the classroom portion of a formal driver education course.
• Pass the Class D written test if the license has been expired for over one year.
• Obtain an instruction permit and hold it for three months.
• Complete the behind-the-wheel portion of a driver education course and apply for a new license.
A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205. (You can follow him on “X” @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at, jesse.grabow@state.mn.us).