Minnesota · Handbook chapter 4 · 5 min read

Chapter 4: Parking, passengers, crashes and insurance

Minnesota parking distances and hill parking, highway parking, seat belt and child seat laws, airbags, unattended children, what to do after a crash, insurance, registration and the cell phone law.

Why this chapter matters

Parking distances and child seat stages are classic test questions, and knowing your duties after a crash protects you legally. This chapter also covers Minnesota's insurance and phone laws.

Parking

When parallel parking, keep the wheels nearest the curb within 12 inches of it, point the front wheels toward the curb or shoulder, put the car in park and set the parking brake.

You may not park:

• in an intersection, on a crosswalk or sidewalk
• within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection
• within 30 feet of a flashing light, stop sign or traffic signal at the roadside
• within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing
• within 10 feet of a fire hydrant
• at the end of a driveway, on any bridge or in a highway tunnel
• beside another parked vehicle (double parking)
• by a yellow curb or No Parking sign, or where you would block traffic near an excavation

Check before opening a door, and do not leave the traffic-side door open longer than needed.

Parking on a hill

Highway parking

Move off the main road. At night, show at least one white or amber light in front and one red light behind, each visible from 500 feet, and use parking or hazard lights with headlights on low.

Seat belts

Everyone, front and back, must wear a belt, and police can stop you just for a belt violation. Without a belt you are four times more likely to be killed or injured, and you can be killed at speeds as low as 12 mph.

Exceptions include backing up, all belts in use, a doctor's certificate, work that means getting in and out often, at no more than 25 mph, rural mail carriers, farm work in a pickup and vehicles made before 1965.

Wear the lap belt across your hipbones or upper thighs, never your stomach, and the shoulder belt across your chest and the middle of your shoulder.

Children

• Children under 13 must ride in the back if there is one.
• Under 2: rear-facing until they reach the seat's height or weight limit; stay rear-facing past 2 if still within the limits.
• Then a forward-facing seat until its limit (often 40 to 60 pounds).
• Ages 4 to 9: a booster with a belt once they outgrow the car seat.
• From 9, or once they outgrow the booster, a seat belt.
• Never put a rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag. Seats expire six years after manufacture, and a seat that has been in a crash should not be reused.
• Never leave children, vulnerable adults or pets alone in a vehicle.

Airbags

Airbags work with belts and do not prevent ejection. Keep at least 10 inches from the wheel, hold it at 8 and 4 or 9 and 3, not 10 and 2, with thumbs out, and keep the dashboard clear.

After a crash

1. Stop. Pull onto the shoulder if possible and turn off the ignition.
2. Protect the scene with hazard lights, flares or a flashlight.
3. Call police or 911 if anyone is hurt or killed.
4. Give reasonable help to anyone injured, as the law requires.
5. Exchange your name, address, date of birth and registration number, and show your license.
6. Give insurance details if asked, within 72 hours if you do not have them.

If there is only property damage, you do not need to notify police. Tell the owner of any other property you damaged.

Insurance and registration

• Owners must carry no-fault and liability insurance and keep proof in the vehicle.
• Failing to show proof can lead to revocation of your license and registration. To reinstate, pass a written test, pay a $30 fee, reapply and file an insurance certificate.
• Driving an uninsured vehicle can bring a revocation of up to a year, a fine up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.
• New residents must register vehicles within 60 days.

Phones

You may not read, write or send messages or use the internet on a phone while driving, even stopped in traffic, except to get emergency help, report a crime or crash, or in voice-activated or hands-free mode. A second or later conviction adds a $275 fine. Drivers under 18 with a permit or provisional license may not use a phone at all, except to call 911. Wearing headphones in both ears is illegal.