License never came, jail time? [MN]
dui attorney Minnesota Aug 31, 2026
Location: Minnesota First off, important context. I moved to Minnesota about 4 months ago and got a first-time misdemeanor DWI right at the point of move in. All of the specific DUI requirements are basically wrapped up or in process (one day of STS left and 2 year "probation"). However, one condition of my unsupervised probation is to not commit any "Driver's license violation". I assume this is to ensure that I was not driving intoxicated while my limited license restrictions were in effect. However, that's just what the paper says; I'm not sure which offenses will apply. If I do commit any of the crimes listed before 2 years, I have to serve the full thirty days. The conditions SHOULD HAVE BEEN very lax, and were intended to be. There's nothing crazy in the conditions. I am committed to righting my wrong and changing my behavior, and the court has already seen that. However, as I was a first time resident during the court process, in order to give Minnesota the power to restrict my license i had to apply for a MN license. Which I did. However, that license never came. I reached out to the DMV (DVS) online about 3 weeks before the temp paper expiration (I didn't know how to track my license, and my lawyer told me it might be a while before i received it) and received an email directing me to go to a deputy registrar if the second shipment takes too long, and my temporary papers expire. The license was already printed, so I assumed 3 weeks isn't a huge ask. USPS is literally right down the road. Well obviously that never came. The part that's an issue is that I went to a deputy registrar and they informed me that the DVS was wrong, and they couldn't extend my papers without permission from the state. So i went to the state this morning. Not only did the state deny me an extension, they also denied that i ever asked to have it re-shipped. When i showed the email thread, they said "that's weird" and said there's no record of a reshipment. Well, there better be (and i think there is - it said enroute after i asked for it to be shipped again). But the troubling part is that "because it's en route, we can't extend your temporary". I ask why. She said because my license is valid. I tell her i don't have my license. She says sure but i can't extend this. So I say ok, will this be an offense if I get pulled over with an expired temporary license? She says she doesn't know how cops work. So my question is am I somehow at fault here? I had a restricted license in the first place because i need to drive for my commute. Am I going to get arrested for trying to drive on an expired temporary license with a valid card on the way? I'm so incredibly frustrated- not only do i need this for work, but i had labor day plans to drive to see my girlfriend and take a couple days off. I've spent plenty of time reflecting on my original behavior and committing to never driving under the influence again. Am I going to go to jail and lose my job + savings for a late ID shipment?? Edit: Thanks to everyone who responded. Disappointing, but not surprising. If anyone has any expertise on what to tell the DVS in order to get a way to drive again, please reply or PM me. I'd do just about anything to get on the road for work / labor day / (non-alcoholic) outings.
