Minnesota Driving Laws You May Not Know (But Should)
Most Minnesota drivers do their best to follow the law on the road. But some Minnesota traffic rules don't get much attention. Here are a few that tend to fly under the radar.
1. Flicking a Cigarette Out the Window Is a Misdemeanor
You probably already know that tossing a fast food bag out the window is littering. But did you know that flicking a cigarette butt follows the same rules? In fact, Minnesota law calls it out specifically. Minnesota Statute 169.42 mentions cigarette filters among the items you cannot throw from a vehicle onto any street, highway, or adjacent land.
A violation of the rule is a misdemeanor, and it goes directly on your driving record. A second offense carries a minimum fine of $400. A judge can also order you to pick up litter along a public highway.
2. Both Earbuds in Is Illegal While Driving
Minnesota Statute 169.471 prohibits wearing headphones or earphones in both ears simultaneously while operating a motor vehicle. Using one earbud is fine, but both earbuds can block out sound, putting you at risk. This is a separate statute from Minnesota's hands-free law, which governs phone use while driving.
3. You Must Clear More Than Just Your Windshield
Clearing the windshield before driving is a given, but Minnesota law goes further. Under Minnesota Statute 169.71, drivers are required to clear frost and snow from both the windshield and side windows. Beyond that, snow or ice left on the roof of your vehicle can create problems under two additional statutes.
- Minnesota Statute 169.81 prohibits driving with an unsecured load, and snow or ice that slides off qualifies.
- Minnesota Statute 169.42 covers littering, and ice or snow falling from your vehicle onto the roadway can be treated as exactly that. A violation can result in a misdemeanor and a fine of up to $1,000.
4. Warming Up Your Car Could Get You a Ticket
It's a common cold-weather habit in Minnesota: start the car, let it warm up, head back inside. But in some parts of the state, leaving a running vehicle unattended on a public street (or even your driveway!) is illegal. Laws vary by city, and some municipalities enforce this more aggressively than others. If you’re in the Twin Cities area, this rule may very well apply to you.
5. If Someone Honks to Pass You, You're Required to Yield
In Minnesota, responding to a honking horn is more than just a courtesy. Under Minnesota Statute 169.18, when an overtaking driver gives an audible warning, the driver being passed must move to the right. You also cannot increase speed until the passing vehicle has completely cleared them.
6. Snowplow Lights Must Be Covered or Removed When the Plow Is Off
During Minnesota’s harsh winters, trucks equipped with auxiliary snowplow lights are a common sight. However, according to state law, those lights cannot be illuminated when the plow blade isn't attached. Under Minnesota Statute 169.56, the lights must either be removed or covered with an opaque material when the vehicle is operating without the plow.
7. The “Move Over Law” Covers More Than Police Cars
Most people know you’re supposed to move over for police and emergency vehicles stopped by the side of the road. But Minnesota's Move Over law extends well beyond that. Under Minnesota Statute 169.18, drivers are also required to move over for:
- Tow trucks
- Road maintenance vehicles
- Utility vehicles
- Construction vehicles
- Solid waste vehicles
- Postal service vehicles
This applies any time these vehicles are stopped with their warning lights activated. Failure to move over when possible is a traffic violation.
8. Your Headlights Must Be On in Poor Weather
Turning on your headlights in poor weather is good practice, and it’s also the law. Minnesota Statute 169.48 requires drivers to turn on their headlights any time it is raining, snowing, sleeting, or hailing, and any time weather or other conditions reduce visibility to less than 500 feet. This applies at all times of day, not just at dusk.
In State v. McCabe (A16-1024), a Minnesota court upheld a traffic stop made solely because a driver failed to use headlights in drizzle. As a general rule, if your wipers are on, your headlights should be too.
9. You Must Give Cyclists at Least Three Feet When Passing
When passing a cyclist traveling in the same direction as your vehicle, you must leave at least three feet of clearance and must maintain that clearance until safely past. The three-foot minimum applies statewide regardless of posted speed limits or road width. However, when possible, it’s better to leave as much room as possible.
10. You Don't Have to Wear a Seat Belt in Reverse
Minnesota law requires all drivers and passengers to wear a seat belt. However, it includes an exemption for drivers backing up. The spirit of the exemption is practical: drivers in reverse are typically moving slowly and may need to turn their body to see behind them. That said, buckling up before putting the car in gear is still the safer habit.
Other rare exceptions for Minnesota’s seat belt law include:
- A person with a written certificate from a doctor saying they are unable to wear a seatbelt
- A person with a job that requires them to get in and out of their vehicle frequently, and who does not drive faster than 25 miles per hour
- Rural USPS mail carriers or newspaper delivery drivers
- A person driving or riding in a pickup truck for normal farming work or activity
11. You Can Drive Barefoot
Contrary to what you might expect, no Minnesota statute prohibits driving without shoes. With that said, if driving barefoot affects your control of the pedals and contributes to an accident, you could be cited for careless driving under Minnesota Statute 169.13. Legal or not, footwear with a good grip is always the safe choice.
12. You Can Ride in a Pickup Bed
There is no statewide Minnesota law that prohibits passengers from riding in the bed of a pickup truck. One exception applies to interstate highways, where passengers under 18 are not permitted in the bed. Some cities may also have local ordinances restricting the practice. Regardless, riding in a truck bed offers no protection in a crash, and the risks are significant.
Were You Injured in a Minnesota Auto Accident?
Knowing the rules of the road matters, and so does knowing your rights after an accident. If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash, SiebenCarey can help. Our attorneys have been representing injured Minnesotans since 1952. Contact us today for a free consultation.
