Faribault DMV / Motor Vehicle Office - Faribault MN

02/15/2026

We will be closed on Monday February 16.
We will reopen for our regular hours of 8:30 to 4:00 on Tuesday February 17.

02/05/2026

There is a Water Main on Division St W right in front of our buidling, but the City of Faribault, Minnesota - City Government was kind enough to adjust the road blockage so that you can still get to our driveway. Enter from the West. If you are coming from 9th Ave SW you'll have to go around the block and come in from the Lincoln Ave side. Thank you for your patience!

Faribault DMV
1105 Division St W, Faribault MN
Open Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
[email protected]

01/19/2026

Our office is closed today Jan 19 for Martin Luther King day.

We’l reopen on Tuesday Jan 20 at 8:30 am for our regular office hours.

12/31/2025

Happy New Year! After closing at 4:30 pm on December 31, we will be closed for New Years day on Jan 1 and reopen on Friday, January 2, 2026 for our regular 8:30 AM to 4;30 PM hours.

Wishing you a safe and Happy New Year!!

Patty, Dave, and the Team at the Faribault DMV.

11/30/2025

Here’s something to note…

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.

Called Vanessa’s Law, it's 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

BY MN CRIME STAFF
See more at MNCRIME.com

11/24/2025

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! Our office will be closed on Thursday and Friday November 27th and 28th.

We'll be open 8:30 am on Monday December 1 at 1105 Division St West in Faribault.

11/10/2025

Your local DMV office will be closed on November 11 in recognition of Veterans Day.

We will be back to regular hours , 8:30-4:00 on Wednesday.
1105 Division St. W in Faribault

11/06/2025

We know some things are difficult to keep track of. And we dont mind being the target of a joke or two 😊

10/09/2025

Leaving for warmer places soon? Don’t forget to check a stop at our office off your list before you go!

We are at 1105 Division St W in Faribault.

We will welcome you in our office Monday - Friday from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm. If you’re renewing your drivers license please plan to arrive by 4:15.

07/28/2025

Looks like our favorite SCAM is showing up on our phones again. Be assured, the State of Minnesota will never send a text message demanding any payment. Also, the web address in this text message is not a Mn government address.

06/09/2025

Heads up! Our neighbor across the street is having a big tree removed the week of June 16 and it may effect access to our building if you are coming from Highway 21 towards the office.

You can probably get around the road closure pretty easily using Lincoln, 1st St NW and Irving Ave. Keep an eye out and drive carefully!

06/09/2025

You may have heard news stories about some new Boat-operator requirements going into effect on July 1, 2025. This year it effects anyone 21 years old or younger as of 7/1. More information is available on the DNR Website.

The safety course is available on the site as well. I have heard that the course runs about 3 hours and costs under $40.