Show All Answers

1. What are the laws regarding fireworks in Minnesota?

For information on setting off fireworks in Minnesota, please visit the Department of Public Safety website.

2. Is it or is it not lawful to pass a vehicle on the right if the vehicle in front of you is waiting to turn left?

Passing on the right is not legal in Minnesota, unless a special lane is provided, or you are on a multi-lane road. It is against the law to use the shoulder (whether paved or unpaved) or a turn lane to pass. The National Highway Traffic Safety Institute and the National Safety Council recommend a safe following distance an extreme minimum of 3 seconds, and pay attention at all times to your driving. Then, when you see the vehicle in front braking and signaling for a left turn, start slowing down immediately. That will get traffic behind you to slow down. Stop and wait behind the left turning traffic until it turns, then go. That's the law, and our recommendation.

3. Is it illegal to have one or more people riding in the bed of a pickup truck? What if the truck has a topper?

Believe it or not, currently it is legal in Minnesota for humans to ride in the bed of a pickup truck, whether or not the truck has a topper. It is not safe, but it is legal. A driver may, however, be charged for reckless or careless driving if they are swerving or committing some other type of driving maneuver which may further endanger the passengers back there.

4. What are the laws regarding child seats, booster seats, and safety belts in Minnesota?

Our Minnesota law is a minimum safety standard and doesn’t necessarily reflect best practices for properly securing children within motorized vehicles. Please view Minnesota State Statute 169.685 for more information. 

5. What are the legal speed limits?

For information on legal speed limits and statutory speeds, please view https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/169.14.