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ask a trooper

  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol
    June 18, 2019
    Question: 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 the public for vehicular traffic. The law also applies to open alcohol containers that…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol
    June 11, 2019
    Question: When golf carts are using a pedestrian crosswalk, are vehicles required to yield? This happens in some towns where the roadway separates a golf course. Answer: Unless there is an ordinance or some other special allowance set by local or state officials, golf carts are treated as motor vehicles and not pedestrians. Minnesota State Statute talks about electric personal assistive mobility…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol
    June 04, 2019
    Question: The driver’s training manual says to have both hands on the steering wheel.  First it was “two and ten” and now with airbags they say “nine and three.” The question, is it a law that you must have both hands on the wheel? I have never seen that as a law and if so there sure would be a lot of violations. I’m thinking if it is in the manual, it must be a law. Answer: There is not a law…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol
    May 28, 2019
    Out of the tragedy of one teen’s death comes life-saving change for Minnesotans statewide. For Kathy Cooper, her family’s efforts to strengthen Minnesota’s seat belt law began after her daughter Meghan’s unbelted death. Their advocacy is saving lives. In 2009 the state’s primary seat belt law took effect in honor of Meghan. It is helping contribute to fewer unbuckled people dying in traffic…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol
    May 14, 2019
    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 your daughter has her own permit, she would need to display her permit in…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol
    May 07, 2019
    Question: Can you please explain the new hands-free cell phone law? Answer: Under the law, you may not hold your phone in your hand and cannot use it at any time for video calling, video live-streaming, Snapchat, gaming, looking at video or photos stored on the phone, using non-navigation apps, reading texts and scrolling or typing on the phone.​ The new law does allow a driver to use their cell…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol
    April 30, 2019
    Question: I want to install a lift kit and put bigger tires on my Jeep. I want to comply with all the state laws. What is a bumper height law and the law about tires that extend out past the fenders? Answer: Anytime you make any modification or alteration to a vehicle’s stock suspension and tires/rims, it can change how that vehicle handles, steers, brakes and could affect its overall performance…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol
    April 22, 2019
    Question: Can someone that had a shoulder replacement and will be in a sling for four more weeks still be legal to drive with one arm? Answer: There are no restrictions placed on a license for this situation, unless a physician notifies Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) of such. If the driver’s (lack of) control of the vehicle due to this type of injury causes issues that make for a traffic stop…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol
    April 02, 2019
    Question: What are the most common vehicle equipment violations you see? Answer: I have witnessed and investigated numerous equipment violations over the course of my career as a Minnesota State Trooper. The most common violations I have seen are:  •Window tint violations: Law prohibits tint on the front windshield. Passenger cars are limited to 50 percent on all side and rear windows. Pickups,…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol
    March 19, 2019
    Question: What is the law about pickup trucks with the flashing amber lights? I noticed some of them traveling down the road when they are not actively plowing. Also, is there a law against plowing or blowing snow onto a public road? Answer: Minnesota state law says that a service vehicle shall not display a lighted lamp when traveling on the highway or at any other time except at the scene of a…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol
    March 19, 2019
    Question: What is the law about pickup trucks with the flashing amber lights? I noticed some of them traveling down the road when they are not actively plowing. Also, is there a law against plowing or blowing snow onto a public road? Answer: Minnesota state law says that a service vehicle shall not display a lighted lamp when traveling on the highway or at any other time except at the scene of a…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway Patrol
    March 12, 2019
    Question: Can a person “carry” an electronic insurance card on a smart phone? For example, I’ve had my insurance company send my card by email, which I downloaded to my phone. Is this legal, or does a person need to have the paper version? Thanks much in advance! Answer: It would be acceptable if the driver or registered owner is able to show the current auto insurance electronically (mobile…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson
    September 12, 2017
    Question: I have a question about the Minnesota State Patrol Blood Relays. Recently, one was performed from the twin cities to Redwing. Why did it involve three patrol officers? I know this isn’t a great distance and have just been wondering what rules or regulations dictate how this is handled. Answer: The story you are referring to was recently shared on our Facebook page, but a number of years…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson
    August 29, 2017
    Question: I read that the fine for going through a school bus stop arm will increase in Minnesota. Can you talk about the fine amount and school bus safety? 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.  As of Aug. 1, drivers who violate that law will face a larger fine when citations…
  • By Sgt. Troy Christianson
    August 22, 2017
    Question: Can you drive in a bike lane? For instance, use it for a right turn lane? Answer: No, motorists are not allowed to drive in the bike lanes. The solid white lines on any road mean do not cross. There are designated areas where the solid white line is converted to dashed lines and this is where motor vehicles are allowed to enter a bike lane to make a turn. Before crossing a bicycle lane…
  • By Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol
    November 07, 2016
    Question: I’ve been helping my neighbor prep for sale a 1955 Ford pickup that has been in her family since new.t I noticed the other day that the VIN plate is missing from the glove box door (the rivet holes are still there). It must have been lost by the body shop that painted the truck about 15 years ago, and is now out of business. I was able to locate the VIN stamped into the frame and it…
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