FTA License Suspension
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Minnesota FTA License Suspension: Clear the Hold & Restore

Minnesota requires 30/60/10 liability coverage and is a no-fault state.

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Minnesota at a Glance

30/60/10

Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)

No-fault

Each driver's own policy pays their injuries first, whoever caused the crash

Required

PIP and Uninsured motorist coverage must be on every policy

$30

State license reinstatement fee

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Minnesota

Minnesota operates under a traditional tort liability system. All drivers must carry proof of insurance and meet 30/60/10 minimum liability limits. If you missed a court date for a traffic citation, Minnesota courts place a Failure-to-Appear hold on your license through the Driver and Vehicle Services division. The court holds authority over the FTA suspension, not DVS directly—you must clear the hold at court before any reinstatement process begins.

Bodily Injury Liability

Pays for injuries you cause to others in an at-fault accident. After FTA reinstatement, carriers often quote higher premiums if the underlying citation involved driving without insurance or reckless operation.

Property Damage Liability

Covers damage you cause to another vehicle or property. If your FTA was for an uninsured-driving citation, expect non-standard carriers to require higher property damage limits as a condition of coverage.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Protects you if hit by a driver with no insurance. Minnesota statute requires carriers to offer uninsured motorist coverage at limits equal to your liability limits—you must decline in writing at policy inception or it is added automatically. Verbal rejection does not count. After an FTA reinstatement, some carriers will not allow rejection and include it as mandatory.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Minnesota is not a pure no-fault state, but PIP is available and strongly encouraged. FTA reinstatement does not trigger mandatory PIP, but carriers may require it if the underlying citation involved injury or alcohol.

SR-22 Certificate (if underlying citation requires)

Minnesota requires SR-22 filing only if the underlying citation that led to your missed court date was uninsured-driving, DUI, or certain reckless-driving offenses. If your FTA was for speeding, expired registration, or a non-moving violation, SR-22 is not required. Filing period is typically three years from the date of conviction, not the date of reinstatement. The carrier files form SR-22 electronically with Driver and Vehicle Services.

What Drivers Pay in Minnesota

$223–$491/mo

Typical monthly rate in Minnesota, high-risk drivers after a DUI

Rate data: ValuePenguin and Insurify, 2026

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Get Back on the Road After a Missed Court Date

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If your license is suspended

Limited license (work permit)

A restricted license is available while suspended.

A coverage lapse is reported

The state can act when your insurance lapses.

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have a bench warrant for missing court in Minnesota?

Minnesota courts issue bench warrants for most misdemeanor-level FTAs and some gross misdemeanors—infraction-level traffic citations typically result in a license hold without a warrant. Call the court listed on your original citation and provide your name and date of birth; the clerk can confirm warrant status without triggering arrest. Do not ignore an active warrant—walking into court voluntarily to resolve the FTA is safer than being stopped by law enforcement with an open warrant.

Can I get insurance before clearing my FTA hold in Minnesota?

You can purchase insurance with an active FTA suspension, but Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services will not reinstate your license until the court clears the FTA hold and notifies DVS. Most non-standard carriers will write a policy with a future effective date—bring proof of insurance to your reinstatement appointment. The insurance does not lift the suspension; only the court can release the FTA hold.

Does a Minnesota FTA suspension require SR-22 filing?

SR-22 is not required for the FTA itself—it depends on the underlying citation. If you missed court for uninsured driving, DUI, or certain reckless-driving offenses, Minnesota requires three years of SR-22 filing from the conviction date of that offense. If your FTA was for speeding, expired tabs, or a seatbelt violation, no SR-22 is required. The court will specify SR-22 requirements when you resolve the underlying citation.

Can I drive to court in Minnesota to clear my FTA if my license is suspended?

No. Driving on a suspended license in Minnesota is a misdemeanor offense, adding a new criminal charge to your existing FTA. Arrange a ride, use public transit, or hire a driver to get to court. If you are stopped driving to court on a suspended license, you will be arrested for the new offense and the bench warrant—clearing the original FTA becomes significantly more complicated.

How do I clear an FTA hold if I missed court for a citation in a different Minnesota county?

Contact the court in the county where the citation was issued—jurisdiction follows the location of the original offense, not your current residence. Most Minnesota courts allow out-of-county residents to resolve infraction-level FTAs by phone or mail, but misdemeanor FTAs typically require in-person appearance. Call the court clerk to confirm whether remote clearance is possible before making the trip.

Coverage Types

Post-FTA Reinstatement Insurance

Coverage designed for drivers who cleared an FTA hold and need proof of insurance to finalize reinstatement with Driver and Vehicle Services. Available through non-standard carriers even if standard carriers decline due to suspension history.

SR-22 Filing for Underlying Citations

Certificate of financial responsibility filed by your carrier with Minnesota DVS. Required if your missed court date was for uninsured driving, DUI, or certain reckless-driving offenses—not required for FTA on speeding, parking, or minor equipment violations.

Minimum Liability Compliance

30/60/10 liability-only policy meeting Minnesota's legal floor. Cheapest option after FTA reinstatement but offers minimal protection in serious accidents. Many non-standard carriers require higher voluntary limits as underwriting condition.

Non-Standard Auto Coverage

Policies from carriers specializing in suspended-license reinstatements, FTA clearances, and high-risk drivers. Higher premiums than standard market but will write coverage when standard carriers decline due to recent suspension.

Standard Auto Coverage Post-Reinstatement

Traditional carrier policies available 12–24 months after FTA reinstatement if no new violations occur and continuous coverage is maintained. Lower premiums than non-standard market once suspension falls outside carrier lookback window.

Find Your City in Minnesota

Minneapolis

urban

St. Paul

urban

Rochester

suburban

Duluth

urban

Bloomington

suburban

Brooklyn Park

suburban

Plymouth

suburban

Maple Grove

suburban