Question: I read one of your articles about motorcyclists needing to wear eye protection. Do contacts qualify as eye protection? Answer: Contact lenses do not qualify as protective eyewear. Motorcyclists are required to wear protective eyewear, such as glasses, goggles or a face shield, even if the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen. Drivers, look twice for motorcycles, … [Read more...]

Question: I read your column in the newspaper but don’t think I’ve seen this question. When traveling in the Twin Cities with the required number of passengers in your car, can you use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes?  Do you need to have a transponder set to carpool or some setting to indicate you meet the minimum number of passengers? I often have enough passengers but … [Read more...]

Question: What is the Ted Foss law in Minnesota? Answer: The law got its name from a tragedy. Trooper Ted Foss was conducting a traffic stop August 30, 2000, on the shoulder of Interstate 90 when he was hit and killed by a passing vehicle. He left behind his wife Andrea and two kids. Emergency responders working on the shoulder of the road have got your back. Do you have … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: Hello, I am part of a group sponsoring a family from the Ukraine.  They arrived a couple weeks ago and we have met with the state offices to get them lined up with Social Security numbers, work permits, etc. The husband and wife both have current driver licenses from Ukraine.  They want to obtain a Minnesota license and are scheduled for the … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: We are well into summer, but can you please talk about some basic vehicle checks? I stopped to help someone who had broken down alongside the road the other day, and they had no clue to what I thought was common sense stuff: coolant, fluids, battery maintenance and lights. Thanks for keeping people informed. Answer: As a state trooper, we … [Read more...]

Question: I read your article last week on not having a driver’s license in possession; what about proof of insurance in your vehicle. Answer: Every driver is required to carry proof of insurance while driving. They must also produce proof of insurance when requested by an officer during a traffic stop or an incident such as a crash.  You can be cited for no proof on insurance … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: My daughter recently left her license at her grandparents’ house and couldn’t get it for a week, so we were wondering... Do you need to carry your physical driver’s license card with you while driving?  What happens if you get pulled over and don’t have it with you? Answer: Minnesota law states that a person shall have their driver license … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: Now that motorcycle season is here, can you talk about motorcycle operators must “wear” eye protection. Windshields haven’t been considered legal eye protection for many years. Answer: You are correct. No person shall operate a motorcycle without wearing an eye-protective device. No person under the age of 18 shall operate or ride a … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: What is the difference between careless or reckless driving? What about “exhibition driving”? Answer: In general, the difference between reckless and careless is that “reckless” is generally “intentional” or the driver “should know” that the driving behavior could injure or kill someone. Here’s more detail on how they differ: Reckless … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: If I sell my vehicle to a private party, what do you recommend I do to protect myself in the event the new owner gets into a crash or is arrested prior to them transferring the title into their name? Answer: If the vehicle you sold is involved in a hit and run or pursuit and the driver flees the scene, law enforcement will contact the … [Read more...]

Question: I have an “Ask the Trooper a Question” question: Why are LOUD motorcycles allowed to operate on Minnesota highways? Answer: Minnesota State Statute 169.69 states:  “Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order which blends the exhaust noise into the overall vehicle noise and is in constant operation to prevent excessive or … [Read more...]

Question: I was wondering, with the ads on television showing people driving with their hands off the steering wheel, is that legal in Minnesota if your vehicle has that capability? Answer: I believe you are asking about autonomous vehicles, or self-driving cars, which are capable of sensing their environment and operating without human involvement. Minnesota law states that … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: Now that spring if finally here, I am seeing a lot of tractors, sprayers and other large equipment on the highways. A number of them didn’t appear to be using their flashing lights, slow moving signs and escort when required. I am concerned this could cause a bad crash. Can you write about this in your “Ask a Trooper” column? Answer: … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: Are drivers required to use turn signals when entering or exiting a roundabout? With a newly constructed roundabout very recently opened in town, I have not once observed a turn signal used. What is the law? Answer: This is a great question as we are seeing more roundabouts in the state of Minnesota. Minnesota state law says that a signal … [Read more...]