Records show thousands driving illegally in Minnesota

[sarisataka]

MINNEAPOLIS—The Department of Public Safety estimated that roughly one in eight drivers on Minnesota roads does not have a valid license.

And court records show that in the last six years, thousands have been charged and convicted for driving illegally.

As part of a joint investigation, KARE-11 and Minnesota Public Radio News analyzed Minnesota court records and found that since 2008, there have been nearly 310,000 convictions for violations related to driving without a valid license. Those convictions include learner's permit violations, as well as violations for driving with no license, or with licenses that have been suspended, revoked, disqualified or cancelled.

The records show thousands of repeat offenders.

http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_25067789/minnesota-records-show-thousands-driving-illegally
There seems to be rather jaw dropping numbers here. Does this represent a state's typical status or is MN an anomaly?

[Fumesucker]

1. Probably fairly typical

Driving is about an absolute necessity in many locations around the country if you want to be even a marginally productive part of society.

People are going to do what they feel they have to.

[Bjorn Against]

2. I am in MN and know someone who was charged with this

She was never told that her license was revoked, she honestly thought she had a valid license because no one told her it was suspended. I don't know whether her case is an anomaly or if the communication is that bad in many cases, but this story makes me suspect she was not alone.

[rocktivity]

3. My driving privileges were suspended due to a clerical error

Last edited Tue Jun 30, 2020, 11:50 PM - Edit history (1)

I got things straightened out within a week and half, and received a letter to that effect. I kept that letter in my glove compartment for six months just in case they had made ANOTHER clerical error.


rocktivity

[MineralMan]

4. It's pretty common these days.

DUI convictions lead to it. So does the insurance requirement. Not being documented is also a prime reason for many, or not being able to pass the DL written exam.

And then there are kids. In MN, 16-18 year olds have to take a driving class before being licensed, and not everyone can afford it. Lots of kids that age driving anyhow.

There are many reasons, but driving with no valid license is really common. Thank goodness we're a no-fault insurance state. Uninsured motorist insurance riders are standard here.

[lpbk2713]

5. Many of them retired and moved to Florida retirement communities.

[Jesus Malverde]

6. Undocumented means I don't have no papers, including a license.....nt

[Glassunion]

7. I'd say typical. However, NJ probably had you beat a while back.

I remember there was a time, maybe about 15 or 20 years ago in NJ. Apparently in NJ there is no statute of limitations on traffic violations of any kind. So if you received a parking ticket in 1976, and were pulled over today, the officer would know as it would be a part of your record.

So, in a search for money, NJ decided that they would go after drivers for unpaid violations. They would suspend your license or registration (depending on the violation) first, then you would have to pay up to restore your privilege later. Problem is, that you might not know you were suspended unless an officer told you while they had you stopped for something else. They did send out letters, however a lot of them were poorly addressed, or what was in the envelope did not match the outside. You see in their mad rush for cash, they had to pack thousands of violation notices, some dating back to the '70s, and get them mailed out.

The neat thing was it was a lot like the no-fly list. If your name matched someone else with a violation, you might end up with the suspension.

It happened to me personally. My registration was suspended for an unpaid parking violation in the late '70s. The vehicle that made the violation was registered to someone with my exact name. Problem was I was 3 years old at the time of the violation. I still had to pay as it was cheaper and quicker than fighting it.

[rocktivity]

8. See post #3

Last edited Wed Aug 5, 2020, 08:12 PM - Edit history (10)

You're in Joisey? I'M in Joisey!

Ironically, I learned of my fate by paying a ticket. Instead of getting a receipt, I got a letter saying that though they'd received my payment, I still owed them for a earlier ticket and my license was suspended until I paid it. But I didn't own the car at the time -- and yes, it happened about twenty years ago!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024448825#post3


rocktivity

[Glassunion]

9. Yeah...

I had to get it fixed quick as I could not work with any suspension. So, even though it was not me, I paid it.