License plate question

[Kinderteacher]

Our 19 year old son gave his friend, also 19, permission to use our family van. My husband and I were not aware of his action. His friend was stopped and arrested for DWI-his second. My husband and I paid $207 to get our van out of impound and the license plates were destroyed. When we went to get new plates at the DMV, we were told that because the friend did not have a valid license at the time of the arrest, that we would have to have whiskey plates on our van. We said we did not know the friend, nor did he live with us, but we were told that is the policy. Is there anything I can do to avoid getting whiskey plates on our van? I live in Minnesota. Thank you for your help.

 

[asiny]

Our 19 year old son gave his friend, also 19, permission to use our family van. My husband and I were not aware of his action. His friend was stopped and arrested for DWI-his second. My husband and I paid $207 to get our van out of impound and the license plates were destroyed. When we went to get new plates at the DMV, we were told that because the friend did not have a valid license at the time of the arrest, that we would have to have whiskey plates on our van. We said we did not know the friend, nor did he live with us, but we were told that is the policy. Is there anything I can do to avoid getting whiskey plates on our van? I live in Minnesota. Thank you for your help.

Get an attorney to argue your position.

From a Minnesota attorney website;

If your vehicle bears a whiskey plate then it is a sign that the vehicle was involved in a DWI case. This will enable the policemen to pull over your vehicle very frequently as you will be under higher scrutiny.

As best as I can find - you would be responsible as the vehicle owners who should be aware who is driving your vehicle at all times.
The fact that your son is an idiot to loan the car to someone without a licence - who is an alcoholic - shows that you son needs to learn a lesson too.
If you throw your son 'under the bus' as being responsible, he could face charges too;

Offenses That Require a Court Appearance
Most traffic-related violations can be handled outside of the courtroom if you plead guilty and pay the fine in advance. However, a few violations require a court appearance and could be punishable by jail time in some cases, according to the Minnesota courts website. Driving after your license was canceled due to another violation, using a false name to obtain a Minnesota driver's license, altering a Minnesota driver's license, lying to a police officer about your identity, lending your car to an unlicensed driver and any offense related to driving or operating a boat while intoxicated require a court appearance.