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.

Minnesota
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

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 Universal helmet law repealed 1977.

Minnesota
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

4 years

Minnesota
Provisions for Mature Drivers

None

Minnesota
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

Zero tolerance for some drugs

Minnesota
Marijuana Possession and Use

Decriminalized and legal for medical and recreational (effective 8/1/23) use

Minnesota
Marijuana Impaired Driving

Zero tolerance for THC but no restriction on metabolites (effective 8/1/23)

Minnesota
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

Minnesota
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

Minnesota
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65

Minnesota
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

65

Minnesota
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

65

Minnesota
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

65

Minnesota
Open container laws

Yes

Minnesota
Repeat Offender Laws

No

Minnesota
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.16

Minnesota
Administrative license suspension on first offense

90 days

Minnesota
Limited driving privileges during suspension

After 15 days

Minnesota
Ignition Interlocks

Highly incentivized for high BAC (0.16) and repeat convictions

Minnesota
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. 

 

Minnesota
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

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

Minnesota
Full Privilege Minimum Age

Nighttime driving: 16 years, 6 months Driving with passengers: 17

Minnesota
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

15

Minnesota
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

Minnesota
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

50 (15) or 40 (15) if parent completes 90 minute class

Minnesota
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

Minnesota
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

Midnight - 5 a.m.

Minnesota
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

First 6 months: no more than 1 under 20 Second 6 months: no more than 3 under 20

Minnesota
Type of Law

Primary

Minnesota
Who is Covered?

7 and younger and over 57 inches 8 and over

Minnesota
In What Seat?

All

Minnesota
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary law.

Minnesota
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes. Primary law.

Minnesota
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

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

Minnesota
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Minnesota
Speed Cameras: State Law

None

Minnesota
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

Minnesota
Red Light Cameras: State Law

None

Minnesota
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

Child Passenger Safety Laws: Minnesota

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. 

 

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