State Trucking Laws
Minnesota
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (Title 49, Parts 350-399) govern all vehicles engaged in interstate traffic.
There are some situations where a tractor-trailer or other commercial motor vehicle is involved in only intrastate travel. For example, an appliance store in Squaw Lake may own a truck that only makes in-state deliveries.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has adopted Title 49, Parts 382-384 and 390-399 of the federal regulations.
The following provisions are an overview of Minnesota laws that affect trucks operating only in Minnesota:
Parts and Accessories
Minnesota has adopted Part 393 of the Federal Regulations with one notable difference. Tank trailers and distributor trailers used only for transporting liquid, gaseous, or dry fertilizer and not over 12,000 lb. are not required to have brakes of the truck towing the trailer had brakes capable of meeting Minnesota's stopping distance requirements.
Inspection and Maintenance
Minnesota has adopted Part 396 of the Federal Regulations with a few notable differences. Legislation passed in May 1990 requires that an annual inspection be done on commercial motor vehicles registered in Minnesota.
It's against the law for a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle unless the vehicle displays an inspection decal issued by a certified inspector or the vehicle carries proof that the vehicle complies with federal motor vehicle inspection requirements for vehicles in interstate commerce.
Daily inspection procedures are similar to the requirements in Sec. 396.11. One modification made was to Section 396.11(d). The exemption applies in Minnesota only to a farm truck that can be driven by a person not holding a commercial driver's license and a commercial motor vehicle held for resale by a licensed motor vehicle dealer.
Crash reports are available from:
Department of public Safety
Driver & Vehicle Services- Accident Records
445 Minnesota St., Suite 181
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-2060/3177