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Minnesota Hardship License & SR-22 Insurance

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 as a no-fault state, meaning your own Personal Injury Protection coverage pays medical expenses after an accident regardless of fault. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division requires proof of financial responsibility for license reinstatement after suspension. SR-22 filing certifies continuous coverage to DVS — any lapse triggers immediate re-suspension and restarts the filing clock.

Bodily Injury Liability

Pays injury claims against you when you cause an accident. Minnesota's 30/60 minimum covers less than one week in a trauma center. Most hardship license holders need higher limits because a single at-fault accident while driving on restricted hours can trigger license revocation and extend the underlying suspension period by 12–24 months.

Property Damage Liability

Covers damage you cause to another vehicle or property. Carriers writing hardship license policies typically require higher limits because restricted drivers represent elevated risk profiles.

Personal Injury Protection

Covers your medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. Minnesota PIP pays first before health insurance in most cases. You can reject PIP in writing at policy inception, but verbal rejection does not count — the coverage adds automatically if the rejection form is not completed before policy issue.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Pays your injury costs when hit by an uninsured driver. Minnesota requires carriers to offer UM at the same limits as your liability coverage. You must reject it in writing — verbal rejection is not valid. Once rejected at policy inception, you cannot add it mid-term without underwriting review, which most non-standard carriers deny for hardship license holders.

SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility

Certifies you maintain continuous coverage at state minimums. The SR-22 itself is not insurance — it is a filing your carrier submits to DVS on your behalf. Most Minnesota suspensions require 3 years of SR-22, measured from reinstatement date, not suspension date. A single day of lapse cancels the SR-22, DVS suspends your license within 10 days, and the 3-year clock restarts from zero.

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

What Affects Your Rate

SR-22 filing duration extends premium surcharge — most carriers reduce rates after 24 months of clean SR-22 history even if filing requirement continues to year 3.
Multiple violations within 12 months trigger tier assignment to highest-risk category and eliminate eligibility for standard market for minimum 36 months after reinstatement.

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Get Insured for the Drive to Work

Keep Driving to Work

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

What is a hardship license in Minnesota and who qualifies?

Minnesota does not use the term hardship license — the formal term is limited license, issued by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety DVS after a revocation or suspension. You qualify if you can prove loss of license creates undue hardship preventing employment, education, or necessary medical care. Most DUI and multiple-violation suspensions require a 15–90 day waiting period before you can apply, and approval is not automatic.

How long does Minnesota require SR-22 filing after a DUI?

Minnesota requires 3 years of SR-22 filing after most DUI convictions, measured from the date DVS reinstates your license, not the conviction date. If your SR-22 lapses at any point during those 3 years, DVS cancels your license within 10 days and the entire 3-year filing period restarts from zero when you refile.

Which insurance carriers write SR-22 policies for limited licenses in Minnesota?

Non-standard carriers writing Minnesota SR-22 for limited license holders include Direct Auto, Progressive, Dairyland, The General, and GAINSCO. Standard carriers like State Farm and Allstate typically decline coverage until 36 months after full license reinstatement with no violations. Approval and pricing vary by violation type, county, and IID requirement.

Coverage Types

SR-22 Insurance

Certificate filed by your carrier proving you maintain continuous coverage at Minnesota minimums. Required for most license reinstatements after DUI, multiple violations, or driving without insurance.

Non-Owner SR-22

SR-22 filing for drivers who do not own a vehicle but need to maintain proof of financial responsibility to keep a hardship license valid.

Liability Insurance

Covers injury and property damage you cause to others. Minnesota requires 30/60/10 minimums, but those limits exhaust quickly in serious accidents.

Non-Standard Auto Insurance

Coverage from carriers specializing in high-risk drivers, including those with DUI, suspended licenses, or SR-22 requirements. Underwriting standards allow hardship license and IID endorsements.

Comprehensive Coverage

Pays for vehicle damage from theft, weather, vandalism, or animal strikes. Required by lienholders but optional if you own the vehicle outright.

Collision Coverage

Pays to repair your vehicle after an accident regardless of fault. Required by lienholders and recommended for anyone who cannot replace their vehicle out-of-pocket.

Find Your City in Minnesota

Minneapolis

urban

St. Paul

urban

Rochester

suburban

Duluth

urban

Bloomington

suburban

Brooklyn Park

suburban

Plymouth

suburban

Maple Grove

suburban