1 Crash, No License Until 18: Understanding ‘Vanessa's Law’
BY MN CRIME STAFF
For most adult drivers, a minor fender bender results in an insurance claim and a traffic citation.
For a teenager with a provisional license, that same crash can trigger a "nuclear option" in Minnesota law that strips them of driving privileges until their 18th birthday.
It is called Vanessa’s Law, and it is one of the strictest teen driving statutes in the country.
Passed in memory of Vanessa Weiss, a 15-year-old killed in 2003 as a passenger in a crash caused by an unlicensed teen, the law was designed to stop high-risk young drivers from staying on the road. However, as 2024 crash data shows a 12% spike in traffic fatalities statewide, many parents remain unaware of how easily this law can be triggered.
The Trigger: "Crash-Related Moving Violation"
Vanessa's Law (MN Stat. 171.055) applies specifically to drivers under 18. While alcohol violations ("Not a Drop" law) are well-known triggers, the most common surprise for parents is the "Crash-Related Moving Violation."
If a teen driver commits any moving violation that results in a crash—even a minor rear-end collision in a parking lot or sliding into a ditch due to "unreasonable speed"—officers can issue a citation that triggers the statute.
For Unlicensed Teens (Permit or No License): If you commit a crash-related violation or an alcohol/drug offense, you are barred from obtaining a license until age 18.
For Provisional License Holders: Your license is immediately revoked. You cannot regain it until age 18, or until the withdrawal period has expired, whichever is longer.
The "Clean Slate" Penalty
The true severity of Vanessa's Law is not just the suspension—it is the reinstatement process. Unlike an adult who simply pays a reinstatement fee, a teen violator must start over completely, often at a cost exceeding $1,000 in fees and classes.
Once a violator turns 18, they do not simply get their license back. They must:
Pay Reinstatement Fees: These can total up to $680, depending on the offense.
Retake the Classroom: They must repeat the entire 30-hour classroom driver’s education course.
Hold a Permit Again:
Unlicensed offenders must hold a permit for 6 months.
Provisional offenders must hold a permit for 3 months.
Behind-the-Wheel: Provisional offenders must complete 6 hours of professional behind-the-wheel training again.
Pass All Tests: They must retake both the knowledge test and the road test.
Why It Matters Now
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, 2024 saw nearly 11,100 crashes involving drivers under age 20. With winter approaching, the risk of "slide-off" accidents increases.
If a teen slides into a guardrail and an officer cites them for "Failure to Drive with Due Care" (a moving violation), Vanessa's Law applies. A simple winter mistake can effectively end a teenager's driving career until adulthood.
The Bottom Line: If your teen is involved in a crash, the citation they receive on the scene matters. A plea to a "non-moving" violation (like a parking violation) may save their license, but a conviction for a moving violation involving a crash will trigger a revocation that lasts until their 18th birthday.
Sources: MN Statute 171.055 (Provisional License), Minnesota Dept. of Public Safety: 2024 Crash Facts
> Sign up for the MN CRIME newsletter
READ MORE > Minneapolis coverage
> See more of our latest coverage
Follow on X or YouTube for more
> Help make MN safer with real-time alerts, LIVE video, 24/7 Safety Agents & much more: Download Citizen now
