Question: I am interested in becoming a Minnesota State Trooper. Can you give me more information on joining the State Patrol? Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol provides for an exciting and meaningful career that goes beyond the highway. Nearly 600 State Troopers provide assistance, education and enforcement to the people of Minnesota, and provide for safe, efficient … [Read more...]

  Question: What do those words on the door of your squad car “L’ETOILE DU NORD” mean? Answer: Our squad car door badge displays the Seal of Minnesota, including the French phrase “L’Etoile du Nord,” meaning “The Star of the North.” This motto was chosen by our first governor, Henry Hastings Sibley and became the State Motto in 1861.  This was three years after … [Read more...]

Question: I was wondering if I needed to cover my spot light/light bar on top of my pickup before I hit the highway. Let me know what the rules are regarding a cover or no cover. The research I did before purchasing was only KC style or round lights needed a cover in the state of Minnesota. I have included a photograph. Answer: If a vehicle with auxiliary lamps is driven on a … [Read more...]

  Question: Is it legal for local police or highway patrol to make regular traffic stops with an unmarked vehicle (no markings at all) or does the vehicle have to have some kind of markings? Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol has 15 unmarked squad cars operated by troopers whose primary job function is road patrol.  Key words in the statute are “primary function.”  … [Read more...]

  Question: Can you talk about the open bottle law in Minnesota? Can a person have an alcoholic beverage while operating a boat on a lake? How about if you are a passenger in the back of a motor home? Answer: It is against the law for any person to consume alcohol in any vehicle while on a public road.  Public highways are any road, paved or not, that are open to … [Read more...]

Question:  Are the blue or Xenon headlamps legal in Minnesota? Answer:  Xenon or (HID) high-intensity discharge headlights are legal if they comply with the same Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requirements as halogen and incandescent headlamps. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 169.468 requires the Commissioner to adopt vehicle safety rules in substantial conformance … [Read more...]

Question: We live in Minnesota but travel south for several winter months. Many other states only have a rear license plate. Why does Minnesota have two? Thanks! Answer: Minnesota state law required two license plates on your vehicle with some exceptions. Some vehicles are allowed to display only one license plate: motorcycles; a dealer’s vehicle or vehicle in-transit; a … [Read more...]

Question: How fast can I drive before getting stopped? Is there a tolerance? Answer: State Patrol policy does not allow for speeds in excess of the posted limit. Officers are required to follow their departmental policy and take into consideration many other factors (roadway, weather, lighting and traffic) including common sense.  Speeding, along with driving too fast for … [Read more...]

Question: I am moving to Minnesota from Iowa. 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 Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services … [Read more...]