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Lug nuts covers only decorative along with decorative lighting; both are legal

Subhead
Ask A Trooper
Lead Summary
By
Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol

Question: I have recently noticed several semi-trucks with lug nuts on their front tires that are pointed and stick out beyond the edge of the cab. I’m concerned that they could cause damage to other vehicles. Is there a law about this?    
Answer:  I believe you are referring to the lug nut covers. They are only a decoration and have no function of holding the rim onto the front assembly of the semi. There are no state or federal laws that prevent anyone from putting these over their lug nuts. The only law that may pertain to the pointed lug nuts would be in regard to the overall width of the vehicle. No vehicle or commercial vehicle can exceed 8 feet 6 inches wide on the roadway.
Commercial vehicle drivers are required to check the tightness of the lug nuts and other equipment when they perform their daily walk around check on the semi.  If a semi is missing a certain amount of lug nuts, this would put their vehicle out of service until they were replaced.   
Question: Is it legal for me to have a red soft-lighted "RAM" lettering logo on the front grill of my truck? It’s not flashing, but always illuminated. Any answer is appreciated.
Answer:  No vehicle is allowed to have a red light or any colored lights illuminated on the vehicle if it is traveling on the roadway.  These lights can be displayed on private property for display only.  Under lights are becoming more popular for vehicles on display, but once on the road they are illegal.
That is because they are a distraction and can be blinding to other motorists.  It is important to do your research before putting aftermarket items on your vehicle. A lot of companies sell these items, but equipment laws vary by state. 
You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober.  Help us drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848.  (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us)

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