What are Minnesota Traffic Court Records?

Traffic court records are the official documentation of moving and non-moving violations under the motor vehicle code in Minnesota. They include legal documents and case files generated from the proceedings of the traffic courts of Minnesota. These include records created for petty misdemeanors and misdemeanors, and records for gross misdemeanors and felonies.

Are Minnesota Traffic Court Records Public Records?

Documented proceedings from a court of record are classified public records and, as such, are available to members of the general public under the public access to information law. Ergo, members of the public can request access to any traffic record, except for records that a judge has restricted.

Minnesota Traffic Ticket Lookup

Traffic citations in Minnesota are recorded and processed through the Minnesota Judicial Branch and county-level courts. The most direct way to locate a traffic ticket is through the Minnesota Public Access (MPA) Remote portal, the statewide system connected to the Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS). The search tool allows the public to look up traffic-related cases by entering a defendant's first and last name, citation number, or case number.

In addition to this statewide database, many Minnesota counties maintain ticket payment platforms linked to their district court. These online systems allow motorists to confirm ticket details, check due dates, and pay fines electronically. Failure to resolve a ticket in time may result in late fees, suspension of driving privileges by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), or, in some cases, a bench warrant for missing a required court appearance.

Those who need in-person assistance can contact the court administrator's office in the county where the ticket was issued. Staff at the courthouse can provide case numbers, balances due, and guidance on how to pay or contest a citation. Another option is contacting the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), since unresolved citations can affect a driver's license status.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Driver and Vehicle Services
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 190
St. Paul, MN 55101-5190
Phone: (651) 297-3298

Getting a Traffic Ticket in Minnesota

A Minnesota traffic ticket or citation is a computer-generated long-form document issued by a law enforcement officer for violations of traffic statutes in Minnesota. It indicates the officer's sworn statement regarding their observations of the alleged infringement. The officer may complete the citation, containing a citation number and information pertinent to the violation. This information may include the full name, date of birth, address, height, weight, gender, and race of the alleged violator. If the offender is a juvenile, then the name and address (if different) of parents or legal guardians may be provided. Details about the violator's license and information about the vehicle involved in the violation may also be noted on the ticket. The citation may indicate the alleged offense's time, date, and location, including the county. The offense(s) noted may be listed with a charge description and the statute/ordinance deemed violated.

It may also indicate if the offense is a petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or gross misdemeanor, and if this is the offender's third violation. If any on-site tests were given, they may be noted as well. The officer may append his name, ID number, and agency and record the date the ticket was issued. If the "Endangering Life/Property" checkbox is marked, a court appearance is required, and a court date may be included. If a court date is not noted on the ticket, then a notice to appear may be sent to the address provided on the citation. It is your responsibility to ensure the court has your current address. The ticket's reverse side may contain information about responding to citations and should be strictly adhered to.

Minnesota does not operate a points-based driving record system, but violations are reported to the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Convictions are noted on your driving record, and repeat or habitual offenders and violations that demonstrate a dangerous driving pattern may receive added penalties, including suspension or revocation of your license. There are four basic levels of traffic violations- petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and felonies- each carries different fines, penalties, and jail time (where applicable). In some extreme cases, such as Felony Overspeeding in Minnesota, speeding may be prosecuted as a felony when it involves reckless disregard for human life, serious bodily injury, or fatalities. Certain violations are deemed Payable Offenses. These offenses are mostly petty misdemeanors with no jail time and can be handled without a court appearance. Some misdemeanors fall under this classification as well.

Traffic citations come with penalties consisting of fines and other charges. Total fine amounts are unavailable until the law enforcement agency files the citation with the court and inputs it into the Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS). This process could take up to ten business days. Afterward, you may search the court's web portal (by citation number) for the total amount and make the payment or contact the Minnesota Court Payment Center (MNCPC) for help.

Minnesota traffic violations and infractions are typically separated into moving and non-moving offenses. Moving violations are traffic law offenses committed by a moving vehicle. Non-moving violations tend to occur with parked cars or due to faulty or broken vehicle equipment. Non-moving violations can be cited on moving vehicles, but such violations may be differentiated by law. Non-moving violations are not reported to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety or recorded on the offender's driving record.

Counties, cities, and towns in Minnesota are authorized to establish administrative citations that may be imposed by peace officers instead of petty misdemeanors in specific circumstances. The statutes and ordinances violated may be the same, but the legal process and penalties may differ.

What to Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket in Minnesota?

If you receive a traffic citation in Minnesota, you may:

• Pay the traffic ticket
• Contest the ticket

A response may be made to the citation before or on the scheduled court date by entering one of the above actions. If no court date is indicated, you may respond within 30 days of the date the citation was issued.

Contesting a Traffic Ticket in Minnesota

Paying the fine may be considered entering a GUILTY plea to a Minnesota state traffic ticket. It may indicate an acknowledgment of the charges against you, an agreement to settle all imposed fines, fees, and penalties, and a waiver of your right to contest the ticket in court. This option is a conviction, which may be reported to the DPS and may show on your driving record.

If a court appearance is not required, i.e., your violation is a payable offense, you can pay the fine and other charges:

• Online on the Minnesota Court Payment web portal
• By phone or mail, by contacting the Minnesota Court Payment Center (MNCPC)
• In person to the court clerk of the county where the citation was issued

You may need to verify your total fine amount on the portal with the MNCPC or court clerk, and you should give 7–10 working days to ensure the citation has been filed.

Minnesota Driving Record Check

Minnesota DVS provides three ways to order a driving record:

1. Online – The most convenient option is to go through the DVS website. The request requires identifying information such as a driver's license number and date of birth. A standard fee of $9.00 applies, payable by credit or debit card.
2. By Mail – To request by mail, applicants must complete the Record Request Form (PS2502), available on the DPS-DVS website. The completed form, along with a check or money order made payable to "DPS-DVS", should be mailed to:

   Driver and Vehicle Services Records Unit
   445 Minnesota Street, Suite 190
   St. Paul, MN 55101-5190

   The mail option generally takes several business days to process.

3. In Person – Records can be obtained directly from a DVS office or deputy registrar location. A valid photo ID is required; the standard fee is $9.00. Certified copies are usually $10.00.

Under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and Minnesota Statutes § 171.12, public driving records may be released to anyone, but certified records require the driver's consent or a legal basis, such as use by insurers, employers (with signed authorization), or law enforcement.

Obtaining Another Person's Driving Record

In Minnesota, access to another individual's driving record is regulated under both federal and state law. The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), 18 U.S.C. § 2721, and Minnesota Statutes § 171.12 set limits on how and when these records may be released. While certain parts of a driving history are considered public, such as convictions for traffic violations and license status, personal details like address, social security number, and date of birth are restricted.

To request another person's record, an applicant must demonstrate a permissible use recognized by law. Common authorized purposes include insurance underwriting, employment background checks (with signed consent from the driver), litigation and court proceedings, law enforcement investigations, or verification by government agencies. Businesses like transportation companies often request employee driving histories for compliance and safety programs.

Requests for another person's record require the Record Request Form (PS2502) from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety—Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS). The form asks for identifying information about the subject of the record and the legal reason for the request. It must be signed under penalty of perjury to ensure the requester's legitimate purpose.

Free DMV Driving Records in Minnesota

Minnesota does not provide complete driving records free of charge. All official records maintained by the Department of Public Safety's Driver and Vehicle Services division require payment of a statutory fee, generally $9 for a standard record or $10 for a certified record. This applies whether the record is requested online, by mail, or in person.

However, limited driving-related information may be accessed at no cost through other channels. For example, the Minnesota Judicial Branch's online case records portal allows free searches of traffic violations filed in district courts across the state. These records may show convictions, fines, and case statuses connected to a driver, but are not considered official driving records. Similarly, an individual may verify whether a license is valid or suspended by contacting the DVS customer service line. However, this will not provide the detailed history available in a complete driving record.

What to Expect in a Minnesota Traffic Court

If a court appearance is required (Endangering Life/Property checkbox is marked), a court date may have been noted on the ticket, or you may receive a notice to appear with a date and time. You may appear on the date, time, and location and enter your plea, at which you may be assessed the total fine payable.

If this is your only ticket, you may be eligible for a Continuance for Dismissal which may keep the ticket off your record, and the court may let you know the details if you qualify. Choosing to exercise your right to contest the ticket is seen as a NOT GUILTY plea, and you may appear in court to do so. It is advisable to retain the services of a traffic attorney at this point.

Certain counties allow you to meet a Hearings Officer at the Hearing & Fines Management Office of the Violations Bureau to discuss your options for dealing with the citation. If a resolution is reached, you need not appear in court. Otherwise, you may appear at the appointed court at the indicated time for trial. At the end of the proceeding, the judiciary official may rule on your case, and you may be adjudged Guilty or Not Guilty.

A guilty verdict may result in you having to pay all accrued fines and fees, and a conviction on the charges may be noted on your driving record and reported to the DPS (if applicable).

A not guilty verdict may free you on all accounts, making you not liable for fines and charges, though court costs may still apply. No record of the offense may appear on your driving record.

How Do I Find Minnesota Traffic Court Records?

Minnesota traffic court records can be reviewed to ascertain whether they are available online using the Minnesota Judicial Branch website. The name on the record being requested and the case file number are required. This only shows which records are available, and online access to actual files can only be made from public access computers at the courthouse or State law library. Alternatively, you can visit the appropriate court in person and make your request at the court clerk's office. Court charges may apply if copies of the record are required and identity verification is mandatory. It is also possible to find traffic records on third-party websites. By law or court order, some documents in a court file may be "confidential", "expunged", or "sealed", and such files cannot be viewed or copied.

Publicly available records are accessible from some third-party websites. These websites offer the benefit of not being limited by geographical record availability and can often serve as a starting point when researching specific or multiple records. To find a record using the search engines on these sites, interested parties may provide:

• The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile
• The assumed location of the record in question, such as a city, county, or state name

Third-party sites are not government-sponsored websites; record availability may differ from official channels.

What Information is Required to Obtain Minnesota Traffic Court Records?

You may need to provide information about the particular record, including full name (as it appears on the record), date of birth, and the case number. The person requesting the record may also need to provide information, including full name, address, and a valid form of identification. Court fees may apply depending on the scope of the request and may be paid before you can receive the records.

Are all Traffic Violations Handled The Same Way in Minnesota?

Minnesota traffic violations are typically handled similarly, regardless of the offense level. There may be a difference in fines and penalties received, but the underlying procedures may be the same. The exemption is if the ticket is an administrative citation issued by a peace officer.

Administrative citations are contested through a civil process, which may be set up by the local unit of government. The process may include a hearing and rulings by a neutral third party when a citation is being contested. This process takes the place of the court system in handling the case. These are only issued for petty violations.

Can Minnesota Traffic Records be Sealed or Expunged?

Minnesota laws allow for expunging many offenses, including petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and certain felonies. It may require that a specified period has elapsed, dependent on the type of offense, and that the person making the request has not been convicted of any other crime within that time.

How Does One End Up In a Minnesota Traffic Court?

One ends up in Minnesota traffic after one receives a traffic citation and:

• You wish to plead not guilty
• You want to plead guilty and offer an explanation
• The officer has indicated that you endangered persons or property

Which Courts In Minnesota Have Jurisdiction To Hear Traffic Violation Matters?

Minnesota traffic violations are heard in the county or district courts where the violation was alleged to have happened.

How to Prepare for Traffic Court in Minnesota

In Minnesota, preparing for traffic court involves:

• Understanding the details of your citation and the potential penalties, including fines and license points
• Researching Minnesota's traffic laws relevant to your case
• Considering consulting with a traffic attorney for legal advice and representation
• Collect any evidence or witnesses that support your defense.