March 13
Q: What am I supposed to do if I am at a railroad crossing and need to report an emergency?
A: Call 911 and provide the needed information. Every highway-rail crossing has an Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign that provides a 24/7/365 telephone number to report problems or emergencies at the railroad location. The blue colored ENS sign is located on the railroad crossing posts or the metal control box near the tracks. The ENS is for emergencies that would require stopping train traffic due to an obstruction or any other problem at the crossing. By providing the DOT number on the sign, the dispatchers know exactly where the grade crossing is and can notify trains moving in that direction to either come to a stop or be placed on a speed restriction.
March 6
Q: Is it illegal for a vehicle pulling a trailer to have a ladder or ramp hanging from the side of the trailer?
A: You are able to have ladders or ramps secured to the side of an enclosed trailer as long as you do not exceed the width of 8 feet 6 inches. This is the maximum dimension that may be operated on Minnesota roadways without a special permit. The maximum height is 13 feet 6 inches. If you exceed the height or width, then you would have to apply for an oversize permit.
A few trailer safety tips:
- Make sure the pulling unit of the trailer has the towing capacity to pull the trailer safely.
- Check the trailer tires for proper tire pressure and the conditions of the tires. If the trailer has not been used recently, check the tread and for any cracking on the side walls.
- Make sure you have the proper ball size required for the trailer.
- Be sure the safety chains are connected and all the lights are working properly.
- Adjust your mirrors so you can see behind the trailer when towing it.
- Adjust your trailer brakes according to the load. For example, if you’re towing a heavy boat you would need to increase the brake press compared to pulling an empty boat trailer.
Feb. 27
Q: Are smoked tail lights illegal in Minnesota? I have not been able to find the statute on it.
A: Thank you for the question. Minnesota law states that “tail lamps shall be plainly visible from a distance of 100 feet to the rear during normal sunlight and at night.” The same goes for turn signals. Smoking, tinting, covering or placing any material over tail lights, brake lights or turn signals would be illegal and unsafe as they would not be plainly visible.
I recommend getting into the habit of checking and keeping your rear lights clear of any snow, mud, dirt, dust or anything that can obstruct your lights.
Feb. 20
Q: Last week there was an auto accident that left one adult and three children dead. There were no seat belts or child restraints used. Who can be held responsible in this crash?
A: If there is a crash, the driver is ultimately responsible for the safety of everyone in the vehicle. As a driver it is important to protect all passengers by simply making sure everyone is properly seat belted in the vehicle.
If stopped by law enforcement outside of the scenario of a crash, the driver or adult passenger not wearing a seatbelt will be issued a citation. The driver will be issued the citation for any juveniles not wearing a seat belt or children who are not properly restrained.
Feb. 13
Q: When it comes to the registration stickers on your license plate, are they called tabs or tags?
A: Good question. The Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) refers to them as tabs and/or stickers. I personally call them tabs. Although it does make me think of the ‘90s Aaron Tippin country song that says, “I got stopped by a cop late last night, out-of-date tags and no taillights.” Having traveled around our great county I have heard them called both. I think it depends on the region or state you are from.
License plates have been around for more than 100 years. In the beginning, just as vehicles were much different than they are today, so were license plates. They originally needed to be purchased and replaced each year because the date was stamped on. In the 1940s some states started issuing tabs. Most often the tab was a small piece of metal attached to the license plate so the plate itself could be used for more than just a year. This helped save metal for World War II.
In the mid-1950s the federal government and the Automobile Manufacturers Association agreed to a standard license plate size, standardized mounting holes and a maximum six-digit registration number format. By the mid-1970s metal tabs/tags were a thing of the past and most states were issuing registration stickers.
License plates have changed significantly in recent years, from reflectivity to graphics. But how you place and display your registration has remained the same for quite some time.
License plates cannot be displayed in the front windshield or the rear window; they must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle. All plates must be securely fastened to prevent them from swinging. They must be displayed horizontally with numbers and letters facing outward from the vehicle and mounted in the upright position. The person driving the motor vehicle must keep the plate legible, unobstructed and free from grease, dust or other blurring material (dirt, mud, snow, etc.) so the lettering is plainly visible at all times. It is unlawful to cover any letters, numbers or the name of the state with any material, including any clear or colorless material that affects the plate’s visibility or reflectivity. This also includes license plate brackets that block the state of issuance and tabs.
License plates must display the month of expiration in the lower left corner of each plate and the year of expiration in the lower right corner of each plate.
Tabs or tags? Call them what you want. Just make sure they are up to date.
Feb. 06
Q: My grandson turned 15 and got his driving permit. I was wondering if he can practice driving with me? I am very excited and nervous for him. Thank you.
A: Congratulations to your grandson on obtaining his permit. My son also just received his permit. It is an exciting time that comes along with responsibility for all.
To answer your question, here is what Minnesota law says:
- The permit holder must have the permit in possession.
- Must be accompanied by and be under the supervision of a certified driver education instructor, the permit holder’s parent or guardian, or another licensed driver age 21 or older.
- The supervisor must occupy the seat beside the permit holder.
Please continue to guide this young driver and set the example by wearing your seat belt and avoid any distracted behavior behind the wheel.
Jan. 30
Q: Can a truck with collector plates on it be used in a snow plow business? Is it legal to use collector plates on a vehicle driven on a daily basis?
A: Driving a vehicle for general transportation with collector plates on is illegal. It is also illegal to use collector plates for business purposes.
There are several different requirements for “collector” license plates.
- The vehicle needs to be at least 20-years-old, or older.
- The owner shall also prove that they also have one or more vehicles with regular license plates.
- The vehicle is owned and operated solely as a collector’s item, and not for general transportation purposes.
What are general transportation purposes? To law enforcement, it means the vehicle can be driven to show it but you cannot use it to go to work, school, shopping, and other everyday activities. It is going to be a judgment call on the part of the officer, but the intent of the law is to only use it for fairs, shows, etc., and not as another vehicle for your family.
An owner is responsible for maintaining the proper registration on the vehicle. Violations include:
- “Improper use of registration” – a misdemeanor (90 days and/or $1,000 fine).
- “Intent to escape tax” – a gross misdemeanor (up to one year and/or $3,000 fine) depending on the situation.
Those using the vehicle for other purposes should purchase the standard Minnesota plates for it.
Below is a list of some of the other common special plates that can be applied for:
Pioneer plates for vehicles made before 1936.
Classic plates for vehicles made from 1925 to 1948.
Collector plates at least 20 years old and made after 1935.
Street rod plates for vehicles made before 1949 or made to look like a vehicle from before 1949.
Classic motorcycle plates for motorcycles that are 20 years old or older.
Original Minnesota plates for any collector vehicle OR vehicle 20 years old or older.
Jan 23
Q: I was wondering if you are stopped at a stop light and in a left turn lane and an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens comes in behind you (either in the turn lane or the lane to your right), what is the proper procedure?
A: When it comes to encountering emergency vehicles while stopped at a stop light and the only place to move is the actual intersection, it is best to stay in place and let the emergency vehicle maneuver around your vehicle. Unless otherwise directed by a police officer, stay put.
Otherwise, for an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance, fire truck or police car, displaying flashing red lights and sounding a siren or bell approaches your vehicle on a two-way road, you must pull to the right and stop. If you are traveling on a one-way road, you must pull to whichever side is nearest and stop. If you are within an intersection, proceed through it before stopping. Remain stopped until all emergency vehicles have passed.
A law enforcement officer with probable cause to believe a driver has violated this law may arrest the driver within four hours of the violation. You are not required to stop if the emergency vehicle that is approaching you is separated from your lane of traffic by a physical barrier such as a fence, wall or median strip.
A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
Jan. 16
Q: My truck was backed into yesterday and the mirror on the driver’s side broke off. It is dangling by the wire now. Will I be legal to drive if I remove it or do I try to tape it back into position until it can be fixed?
A: I am sorry to hear about the mirror. If your vehicle has one on the windshield or even another one on the passenger’s side, you are legal in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Driver’s Manual, all passenger vehicles must be equipped with rearview mirrors. Vehicles such as rental moving trucks, which are not designed to allow a view through the rear window, must be equipped with an additional side mirror. Pickup trucks, which are often used for hauling purposes, must also be equipped with an additional side mirror. The side mirror will provide the driver with a clear view when transported materials obstruct sight through the rearview mirror.
Without mirrors or with limited mirrors, the driver is unable to see behind them from different angles and may crash. Side mirrors help drivers see other vehicles when changing lanes, assist the driver in determining how close other vehicles are and in the event an emergency vehicle approaches, a driver is able to slow down and safely pullover and yield the right-of-way.
In my experience throughout the years, I have encountered many unsafe situations while responding to emergencies with my lights and siren on where vehicles in front of me had no idea I was behind them. When the driver finally realized there was a patrol car behind them, they would become startled and apply the brakes very hard and/or swerve into the other lanes or shoulder very quickly, creating a very dangerous situation.
I recommend drivers have two outside mirrors, along with a rearview mirror attached to their windshield at all times. If a driver is pulling a trailer and the view to the rear is obstructed, I recommend purchasing rearview mirror extensions so the driver is able to clearly see behind the vehicle.
Please avoid distractions while driving and make it a habit of checking rearview mirrors often. This will increase a driver’s odds of avoiding a crash.
A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
Jan. 9
Q: I was driving on the freeway during the worst part of a recent storm. Just had a question — are people supposed to use their emergency flashers when they are driving? So many cars on the freeway were, and it made it impossible to tell if someone was actually stopped or moving slowly (also, if they changed lanes, there was no way to tell). I was having trouble seeing anyway, and this made it worse. Is this something they teach in drivers’ education these days?
A: This is a great question. A driver can use their hazard lights to warn other motorists of a vehicular traffic hazard that requires caution in approaching, overtaking or passing.
Situations with limited visibility such as a blizzard, thick fog and heavy rain could constitute a traffic hazard. Other hazardous scenarios could include:
- A vehicle having issues maintaining a minimum safe speed.
- A flat tire or mechanical breakdown on the shoulder of the road.
- An impaired driver or driver conducting dangerous behaviors.
If a line of traffic is moving along at the same speed, I am not sure it would be in the best interest for anyone in that lane to be using hazard lights. It is important to know which vehicle is moving at a slower speed than the rest of the flow of traffic or for those needing to make lane changes and needing to signal. As mentioned earlier, it’s generally for the lone vehicle causing the hazard.
A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
Jan. 2
Q: If I am driving down a two-lane road and a State Trooper is driving toward me with their flashing lights on, am I supposed to move over?
A: When approaching any authorized emergency vehicle equipped with emergency lights, the driver of each other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in this position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
