What a Minnesota hardship license does and who can get one
A hardship license in Minnesota lets you drive to specific places — work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs — even though your license is suspended. You cannot use it for any other reason. It is not a full license, and it does not restore your driving privileges everywhere.
You can request a hardship license if your suspension is for unpaid traffic fines, child support debt, or a DWI-related suspension. You cannot get one if your suspension is for medical reasons, a serious safety violation like reckless driving, or certain criminal convictions. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety decides whether to grant it based on your reason for suspension and your driving history.
The hardship license is also called a work permit or restricted license in some contexts, but the form and process are the same. You explore through the Driver and Vehicle Services division of the Department of Public Safety.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license in Minnesota allows driving only to work, school, medical care, court-ordered programs, and the locations needed to reach them — not for personal errands or social trips.
- You must request one through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety using Form DL 44 or by mail, and you need proof of financial hardship or that the suspension prevents you from meeting a legal obligation.
- Hardship licenses are available for suspensions due to unpaid fines, child support debt, and DWI-related offenses, but not for medical suspensions or serious safety violations.
- The decision takes one to two weeks, and you must carry the hardship license document with you at all times while driving — it is not automatically added to your regular license.
- Violating the restrictions — driving somewhere not on your permit — results in a new criminal charge and when ready revocation of the hardship license.
Reasons your license was suspended and whether you can get a hardship license
Minnesota suspends licenses for different reasons, and not all of them allow a hardship license. The most common suspensions that do allow one are for unpaid traffic fines or court costs, child support arrears, and DWI-related convictions (including refusal to take a breath test).
Suspensions that do not allow a hardship license include medical suspensions (when a doctor reports you unsafe to drive), suspensions for reckless driving or hit-and-run, and suspensions tied to certain criminal convictions. If you are unsure why your license was suspended, call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-296-6911 or check your suspension notice — it will state the reason and whether a hardship license is an option.
If your suspension is for a reason that does not allow a hardship license, you have no path to restricted driving. Your only option is to wait out the suspension period or, in some cases, pay the debt or complete a required program to have the suspension lifted entirely.
How to request a hardship license
You request a hardship license by submitting Form DL 44 (process for Hardship License) to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. You can submit it in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office, by mail, or online through the state's website. The form asks for your name, license number, the reason for your suspension, and why you need to drive.
Along with the form, you must provide proof that you have financial hardship or that the suspension prevents you from meeting a legal obligation. For work-related hardship, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating that you need to drive to your job and that losing your license would cause you financial hardship. For school, bring an enrollment letter. For court-ordered programs (such as substance abuse treatment), bring documentation from the program showing your enrollment and the dates and times you must attend.
Mail your form and supporting documents to: Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services, 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1900, St. Paul, MN 55101. If you submit by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope so they can return your hardship license to you. Processing takes one to two weeks.
What the hardship license covers and what it does not
Your hardship license lists the specific purposes you are allowed to drive for. The standard list includes: commuting to and from work, attending school or college, medical or dental appointments, court-ordered programs (such as DWI education or substance abuse treatment), and the direct routes needed to reach these locations.
You cannot use a hardship license for grocery shopping, visiting friends, running errands, going to restaurants, or any other personal reason. You also cannot drive outside the hours needed for your listed purposes. If your work shift is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can drive to work and back during those hours and a reasonable buffer, but not at midnight or on your day off.
The hardship license is a separate document from your regular license. You must carry it with you every time you drive, along with your ID. If a police officer stops you and you cannot produce the hardship license, you will be cited for driving with a suspended license, even if you were driving for an allowed purpose.
Violations and what happens if you break the restrictions
Driving for a purpose not listed on your hardship license — or driving outside the permitted hours — is a criminal offense in Minnesota. You will be charged with driving with a suspended license, which is a misdemeanor. This is separate from and in addition to any violation related to why you were stopped (speeding, running a red light, and so on).
If you are convicted of violating your hardship license restrictions, your hardship license is when ready revoked. You return to a fully suspended license with no driving permitted. You also face fines, possible jail time, and a longer suspension period. A second or third violation within a short time can result in felony charges.
The restrictions are strict because the state is granting you a limited privilege despite your suspension. Police and prosecutors treat violations seriously. If you need to drive somewhere not on your permit, you must wait until your suspension is lifted or request a modification to your hardship license (which requires a new process and new supporting documents).
How long a hardship license lasts and when it ends
A hardship license lasts for the duration of your suspension. When your suspension ends — either because you have paid the debt, completed the required program, or the suspension period has expired — your hardship license automatically ends. You do not need to return it, but you also cannot use it anymore.
If your suspension is lifted early (for example, you pay off your fines or child support debt before the suspension period ends), your hardship license ends on that date. You then have the option to reinstate your full license by paying any reinstatement fees and passing a vision test if required.
If you move out of Minnesota or your circumstances change significantly, you can request a modification to your hardship license by submitting a new Form DL 44 with updated documentation. The state will review your request and either modify the license or deny the change.
Reinstatement fees and other costs
Requesting a hardship license itself is free — there is no process fee. However, you may have other costs tied to your suspension. If your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, you must pay those debts to have the suspension lifted. If your suspension is DWI-related, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, which costs money to install and maintain.
When your suspension ends and you want to reinstate your full license, Minnesota charges a reinstatement fee. The amount varies depending on the reason for your suspension and how many times you have been suspended. Call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-296-6911 to find out the exact fee for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license if I owe child support?
Yes. Child support debt is one of the reasons Minnesota suspends licenses, and you can request a hardship license while the suspension is in place. You will need to show that losing your license causes financial hardship — usually by providing a letter from your employer or proof that you need to drive to work to pay the child support debt.
What if I was suspended for a DWI?
You can request a hardship license for a DWI suspension, but the state is more cautious with these cases. You will need strong documentation of financial hardship and a clear reason for needing to drive (work, court-ordered treatment). You may also be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, which prevents the engine from starting if alcohol is detected on your breath.
How do I know if my suspension allows a hardship license?
Your suspension notice from the state will say whether you are allowed to request a hardship license. If you lost the notice, call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-296-6911 and give them your license number. They will tell you the reason for your suspension and your options.
Can I drive to places other than work if I have a hardship license?
Only if they are listed on your hardship license. The standard list includes work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered programs. If you need to drive somewhere else regularly, you can request a modification by submitting a new process with documentation of why you need that location added.
What happens if a police officer stops me and I do not have my hardship license with me?
You will be cited for driving with a suspended license, even if you were driving for an allowed purpose and your hardship license was valid. Always carry your hardship license document along with your ID when you drive.