Millions of Americans have suspended driver’s licenses because they can’t pay the fines and fees associated with traffic tickets. That number is disproportionately affecting people with low-incomes and people of color. And for every 1,000 people of driving age in Minnesota, 19 of them have unresolved suspensions. The economic burden of these suspensions on vulnerable Minnesotans and the public resources they use is concerning. In a recent Minnesota Reformer article, an estimate of license suspension and revocation cases by the Minneapolis deputy city attorney is shockingly high.

This license suspension grind frequently leads to more interactions with the criminal legal system resulting in misdemeanors for driving after suspension. These suspended and revoked licenses are then barriers to employment, reentry after time in prison, and more.

A new bill making its way through the legislature aims to eliminate driver’s license suspensions for many minor offenses like failure to appear in court for a citation, petty misdemeanors, parking and traffic violations and not paying fines. The bill would also stop license suspensions in cases when the person has been found driving after a previous suspension.

Anna Odegaard, legislative advocate with the Minnesota Asset Building Coalition, said the lost revenue could be offset by savings from no longer arresting, prosecuting or collecting the fines from these cases. She said when a notice is sent out warning people their license will be suspended unless they pay a fine, just 20% of people pay.