First time DWI violators who are pulled over while driving a motorboat, ATV or other off-road vehicles are given a break.
A driver who has no qualified prior impaired driving incident is subject only to the nonfelony criminal penalty and the loss of operating privileges for that type of vehicle. In other words, if your first DWI is on a boat, ATV or other off-road vehicle you will not lose your driving privileges for other types of motor vehicles such as your car (Class D License). They will however take your driving privileges away for your snowmobile, ATV or other off-road vehicle used to commit the offense for a year. Minn. Stat. § 84.91. The commissioner is required to notify you of the time period during which the person is prohibited from operating a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle. Minn. Stat. § 84.91.Keep in mind, this charge, even though it is your first, can be used to enhance any future DWI offenses. Just as it is if you were driving a car when you got pulled over, refusal to submit to a chemical test is a crime. Minn. Stat. § 169A.20 Subd. 2. If this is not your first DWI offence, as in if you have any prior qualified prior impaired driving incidents as defined by Minn. Stat. § 169A.03, within the past ten years then you will be charged with a more serious DWI and are subject to the same administrative sanctions and criminal penalties as if you were arrested while driving a regular motor vehicle as noted in Minn. Stat. § 169A.53.