ask a trooper
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolNovember 10, 2020Question: If a person has a permit to carry in Minnesota, can they transport a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle? Answer: The permit to carry law applies only to handguns, so the answer is no with some exceptions. MS 97B.045 – A person may not transport a firearm in a motor vehicle unless the firearm is: (1) unloaded and in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm, and the case fully…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolSeptember 29, 2020Question: Is there a law against putting signs along the roadway for political candidates and advertising? Answer: It is illegal to place signs for political purposes and advertising on the road right of way. Highway rights of way include driving lanes, inside and outside shoulders, ditches and sight corners at intersections. All state, county, city ad township roads and highways fall under the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolAugust 25, 2020Question: I was told the fine for passing a school bus, when the red lights are activated and the stop arm is extended, had recently increased. Answer: State law requires all vehicles to stop for school buses when the bus driver activates the flashing lights and has the crossing arm fully extended. Red flashing lights on buses indicate students are either entering or exiting the bus. In 2017, the…- July 28, 2020Question: 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 registered owner in an attempt to locate the driver…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJuly 07, 2020Question: I have heard speeding over 100 mph has increased. What is the State Patrol doing about this problem? Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol, along with law enforcement agencies across the state, is currently conducting enhanced speed enforcement on the roadways through July 19. The extra enforcement will target speeding violations as well as aggressive driving. From April 1-May 21, the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolMarch 03, 2020Question: I see a lot of people that have their fog lights on, and when I am meeting them on the road, some are very bright and make seeing the road very difficult. Some of them appear to be out of alignment and are blinding. What is the law that covers this? Answer: If the fog lights are aimed too high and/or are too bright, they are illegal, even if they are in compliance with the rest of the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolFebruary 18, 2020Question: I have noticed cars that can't be seen in the day when they fail to turn on their lights when it is snowing, raining or foggy. Can you please explain how dangerous it can be and what the law is that covers this? Answer: Minnesota law states that every vehicle on a roadway shall display lighted headlamps, lighted tail lamps, and illuminating devices from sunset to sunrise. The law…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolFebruary 04, 2020Question: Do I need to obtain the new Real ID and Driver’s License when my license expires? Answer: The Minne-sota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS) began issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards on Oct. 1, 2018, to comply with the federal REAL ID Act. Minnesotans are not required to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card; however,…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 21, 2020Question: I have a question regarding the auxiliary headlights on a truck with a plow. Are they a requirement? I purchased a plow for my truck recently and the lights that came with are not nearly as bright as the stock lights on my truck. My stock headlights actually work perfectly fine over the top of the plow without any glare back at me. Are the auxiliary headlights I always see on plow…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 14, 2020Question: What allows private for-profit ambulance companies to run tax-exempt license plates on their vehicles? Answer: Vehicles owned by ambulance services specifically intended for emergency response or providing ambulance services are exempt under the Minnesota State statutes. All services must have a valid license issued by the board. The license shall specify the base of operations, the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolDecember 10, 2019In the past five years, officers reported snowy or icy road conditions in more than 79,569 crashes (2014-2018). These crashes resulted in 214 traffic deaths and 20,761 injuries. During the winter, it’s important to drive at safe speeds according to road conditions, and give yourself plenty of travel time. State law requires the use of headlights when precipitation is present. Increase stopping…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolNovember 12, 2019In the past five years, officers reported snowy or icy road conditions in more than 79,569 crashes (2014-2018). These crashes resulted in 214 traffic deaths and 20,761 injuries. During the winter, it’s important to drive at safe speeds according to road conditions, and give yourself plenty of travel time. State law requires the use of headlights when precipitation is present. Increase stopping…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolOctober 29, 2019Question: As we are ending the motorcycle season, I heard of an individual near Rochester who was killed by going off the road and striking a sign head on. He was not wearing a helmet. Being an individual who has been in a motorcycle accident with the helmet likely saving my life, why are helmets not required in the state of Minnesota for all two- and three-wheel bikes? Answer: There is not a…- October 15, 2019Question: Minnesota just recently enacted a hands free while driving law, but many states do not have such a law. How is this enforced when people from out of state are traveling on our interstate highways? I have not seen any signs go up stating that Minnesota is hands-free. Would violators just be issued a warning? Answer: The law will be enforced for all drivers on Minnesota roadways. …
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolOctober 01, 2019Traffic quiz: 1. It is legal to operate a motor vehicle without a license plate light. True or False 2. The use of headphones while driving a motor vehicle is legal as long as the driver has one ear uncovered. True or False 3. The maximum bumper height for a private passenger vehicle or station wagon is 20 inches. True or False 4. It is legal to drive a pickup with the tailgate…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolSeptember 10, 2019Question: As we are ending the Motorcycle season I heard of an individual near Rochester, MN whom was killed by going off the road and struck a sign head on. He was not wearing a helmet. Being an individual whom has been in a motorcycle accident with the helmet likely saving my life, why are helmets not required in the State of Minnesota for all two and three wheel bikes? Answer: There is not a…
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