Question: Would you please let me know the process for reporting a family member that is an unsafe driver when I don’t have a particular incident to report?
Answer: There are several options for you to consider.
Write and sign a letter to Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) outlining specific concerns.
DVS will write to the person and ask them to come in for an interview. Based on the interview, the person can be requested to conduct a written and road test; submit a vision report; and/or submit a doctor’s statement verifying that they are physically qualified to drive within 30 days of the interview.
If no concerns arise during the interview— if the driver passes a road quiz and appears to be physically fine—they may not be required to do anything further to continue to drive.
If the person does not submit the requested statements or their vision/physical report is unsatisfactory, their driver’s license can be canceled.
If the person is unable to pass the tests within the required time; their driver’s license is canceled.
Law enforcement officers also can send a request for review to DVS if they identify a driver whom they believe should either re-test or be checked by a doctor.
Talk to a family member’s physician to see if the doctor has noticed the same problems. If so, ask the doctor to submit a request for a written/road test to DVS. If the physician believes the person is not physically qualified to drive, the doctor can notify the department to that effect, and DVS can cancel the driver’s privileges.
DVS can allow the person to keep driving with increased limitations such as roadway speed, daylight only, certain times of the day or within a set limit of miles from his or her home. They can also require follow up doctor’s exams.
Here is a link to the form: dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/DL-Request-Examination-of-Driver.pdf
Information can be sent to Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services. Driver reevaluation unit 445 Minnesota St. suite170, St. Paul, MN 55101-5170.
Question: My father found a wallet at a big retail store while on vacation and was concerned about handing it off to the staff there, instead deciding to contact the owner directly. He was eventually pulled over by local PD, with the wallet in hand, and was told he could be brought up on theft charges. What should he have done? His intent, clearly, was to ensure that the staff at the store wasn’t going to pocket any cash from the wallet before putting it in their safe, but that’s not how the police perceived it.
Answer: There are two other options that could have been done besides turning the wallet into the store staff. He could have turned it over to a supervisor at the store where it was found. The other option is to report it to the local police or sheriff ’s department where it was found.
What could have happened in this situation is that the wallet may have been stolen and discarded where your father found it, and it was considered stolen property. By explaining how and where the wallet was found would clear him as a suspect of possessing stolen property. If further evidence is needed, law enforcement could obtain video footage from the store and that would support his statement.
We have had wallets, purses and property that were found on state highways or freeway that were turned in to a trooper or an MSP office staff employee. We would go through the wallet or purse in an attempt to find some form of identification that can be used to contact that person.
If you ever lose a wallet or purse that contains credit cards and a driver’s license, contact your credit card companies as soon as you can and report it missing so they can’t be used to purchase anything. Contact your state’s department of vehicle services and report that your driver’s license is missing and a duplicate license can be obtained. If the wallet or purse is stolen, report it to your local law enforcement agency where a report will be generated and the items can be returned to you if found.
A portion of state statutes was used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning related traffic laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Neil Dickenson – Minnesota State Patrol at 1131 Mesaba Ave, Duluth, MN 55811. (You can follow me on Twitter @MSPPIO_NE or reach me at neil.dickenson@state.mn
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