Minnesota State Patrol Question: I purchased an old trailer to haul my Ranger around, are brakes required on it? Answer:  Brakes are required on all trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more. Trailers manufactured after June 30, 1988, with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more require brakes installed on all wheels. Every trailer with a gross weight of … [Read more...]

  Minnesota State Patrol Question: Do I need an oversize or wideload permit to haul a boat lift that is over nine feet wide to my cabin? Answer: You would need to obtain a permit because the width is over 8 feet 6 inches. Hauling oversized items without a permit or escorts (if required) can be dangerous and is illegal. Troopers and private escort companies … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: I am moving to Minnesota from Colorado. When do I need to register my vehicle, and will I have to take the driver’s test? Answer: Once you become a resident of Minnesota, you have up to 60 days to obtain your Minnesota driver’s license and register your vehicle(s). Below are some of the details from the Minnesota … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: If a person has a medical exception to a specified window tint level (per medical prescription by medial provider), do you have to register that exception/prescription with the state? Or register the car that has the applied tint?? Answer: It is not necessary to notify the Department of Public Safety Driver Vehicle … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: Are you seeing increased speed more in the metro or Greater Minnesota? And are those increased speeds on the Highway or the city streets?  Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol is seeing increased speeds across the state. Whether you live in the metro or Greater Minnesota, excessive speeds are a cause for concern. … [Read more...]

Minnesota State Patrol Question: I noticed that the horn on my vehicle does not work. Is there a law that that says a vehicle must have a working horn and when it can be used?  Answer:  According to state law, your vehicle must have a horn that’s “in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet. … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: Can you talk about motorcycle safety going into spring riding? Answer: With everything going on in the world today, a motorcycle ride can be the perfect escape. Leave your worries behind, put that helmet on, and head for the open road. Here are steps you can take to reduce your risk of crashing: •Ride … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: What is being done about distracted driving? It seems like it is getting worse. Answer: When we think of distracted driving, most of us think of someone holding a phone up to their ear or scrolling through their social media feed. But distracted driving takes a lot of different forms. When you fiddle with your car … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: I noticed that the horn on my vehicle does not work. Is there a law that that says a vehicle must have a working horn and when it can be used? Answer:  According to state law, your vehicle must have a horn that’s “in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol 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 … [Read more...]