HEAT (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic)
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) launched an extensive speed control project in September 2005.
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 Universal helmet law repealed 1977.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