Question: Can a person legally drive with a neck brace on in Minnesota?  It would limit the ability to turn your head side to side or up or down. I’m trying to get facts before I let my family member drive. Answer: Permanent lack of neck mobility would require a restriction placed on the license that states they can legally drive if there is an “outside rearview mirror.” A … [Read more...]

Question: Is it legal for local police or State Patrol to make regular traffic stops with an unmarked vehicle (no markings at all) or does the vehicle have to be a certain color or have some kind of markings? Answer: You might be aware of some posts on social media that say, according to state law, that  unmarked squad cars are illegal and State Patrol squad cars must be … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: Can my child use a bicycle helmet when he is a passenger in my side by side or ATV? Answer: In Minnesota, any class 1 or 2 ATV operator or passengers under the age of 18 must wear an approved helmet when riding on public lands or waters, or a public road right-of-way.  You are required to wear a seat belt if … [Read more...]

Question: I noticed several freshly killed deer on the side of the highway yesterday. What are the traffic related requirements when someone collides with a deer, and what are the game related requirements with killing a deer? Is it legal to take the deer home? Answer: If you are involved in a vehicle vs. deer/large animal crash, call 911 to report if there are occupant … [Read more...]

Question: When I learned to drive 50 years ago, my driver’s ed teacher instructed me to pull into the intersection on a green light, even when there was oncoming traffic, to attempt to make a left turn.  I still practice this, green arrows or not.  I actually asked a driver’s test person at the DMV office about this and was told I am correct, you are supposed to pull into the … [Read more...]

Question: The clerk at a local gas station recently asked me if it is illegal not have a front plate on a vehicle.  He stated he can’t allow someone to pump gas without paying first if he is unable to read the license plate.  He told me that many people have told him a front plate is not required in Minnesota. Answer: Minnesota State Statute (M.S.S.) 169.79 states: “No … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: Both my daughter and I have a disability. I have the handicap license plates on my car and she only has a placard. When she drives my car, does she have to use her placard to park? Answer: The registered license plates are designed for you to be able to park that vehicle in a disabled/handicap parking location. If … [Read more...]

Question: I know that Minnesota has made a lot of progress for traffic safety and less people are dying on our roads but what are other states doing? Answer: The first time in nearly a decade, preliminary data from the National Safety Council estimates that as many as 40,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2016 across the United States. That’s a 6% increase over 2015 … [Read more...]

Question: Can you talk about the law that covers a driver’s ability to watch a movie, video or broadcast on a cellphone, tablet or computer while driving? What if the passenger is in possession of the device? Answer: Minnesota state law says that a television screen shall not be installed or used in any motor vehicle where images from the screen are visible to the driver … [Read more...]

Question: If you are 15 years old and have a farm permit to drive a farm truck, how late at night can you drive? Answer: A Minnesota Farm Work license allows a 15-year-old to drive alone only to perform farm work for his or her parent during daylight hours, within 20 miles of the farmhouse and in cities with populations of less than 100,000. The parent must complete a Farm … [Read more...]