Minnesota

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Minnesota. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
    .16 90 days After 15 days

    Ignition Interlocks

    Highly incentivized for high BAC (0.16) and repeat convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    Yes No

     

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    At least 2 yrs in a rear-facing child safety seat until outgrows the seat by height or weight
    At least 2 yrs in forward-facing child safety seat if rear-facing seat it too small by height or weight
    4-8 yrs in booster seat if outgrown forward-facing harness seat by height or weight
    Under 13 in rear seat if possible
    * If a child can be placed in more than one category, then the child must be placed in the more protective category. 
     

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    At least 9 yrs  and fits in an adult seat belt correctly 
    Under 13 in rear seat if possible

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Yes. Primary law.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    Yes. Primary law.

    Novice Drivers

    Drivers with learner under 18 or provisional licenses. Primary law.

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • Zero tolerance for some drugs

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Decriminalized and legal for medical and recreational (effective 8/1/23) use
    • Impaired Driving: Zero tolerance for THC but no restriction on metabolites (effective 8/1/23)
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    4 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    None

  • Motorcyclists

    Helmets required for all riders under 18 or with instructional permit. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Primary

    Who Is Covered?

    7 and younger and over 57 inches

    8 and over

    In What Seat?

    All

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    No state law or programs

    Red Light Cameras

    No state law or programs

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65
  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    Nighttime driving: 16 years, 6 months

    Driving with passengers: 17

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    15 6 50 (15) or 40 (15) if parent completes 90 minute class

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    16 Midnight - 5 a.m.

    First 6 months: no more than 1 under 20

    Second 6 months: no more than 3 under 20