piers109uk/MN-Statutes huggingface dataset:
171.27 LICENSE EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL; EXCEPTIONS.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the expiration date for each driver's license is the birthday of the driver in the fourth year following the date of issuance of the license. The birthday of the driver shall be as indicated on the application for a driver's license. A license may be renewed on or before expiration or within one year after expiration upon application, payment of the required fee, and passing the examination required of all drivers for renewal. Driving privileges shall be extended or renewed on or preceding the expiration date of an existing driver's license unless the commissioner believes that the licensee is no longer qualified as a driver.
(b) The expiration date for each under-21 license shall be the 21st birthday of the licensee. Upon the licensee attaining the age of 21 and upon the application, payment of the required fee, and passing the examination required of all drivers for renewal, a driver's license shall be issued unless the commissioner determines that the licensee is no longer qualified as a driver.
(c) The expiration date for each provisional license is two years after the date of application for the provisional license.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) to (c), the expiration date for a license issued to a person with temporary lawful status is the last day of the person's legal stay in the United States, or one year after issuance if the last day of the person's legal stay is not identified.
(a) For purposes of this subdivision, "eligible individual" means:
(1) a person then or subsequently serving outside Minnesota in active military service, as defined in section 190.05, subdivision 5, in any branch or unit of the armed forces of the United States;
(2) a person then or subsequently serving outside Minnesota as a volunteer in the Peace Corps;
(3) a person who is an employee of a federal department or agency and is assigned to foreign service outside of the United States; or
(4) a person residing outside of Minnesota because the person is a spouse, domestic partner, or dependent under age 26 of a person in clause (1), (2), or (3).
(b) A valid Minnesota driver's license issued to an eligible individual continues in full force and effect without requirement for renewal until the date one year following the person's separation or discharge from active military or volunteer service, or following the conclusion of assignment to foreign service outside the United States, and until the license holder's birthday in the fourth full year following the person's most recent license renewal or, in the case of a provisional license, until the person's birthday in the third full year following the renewal.
168.1298 SPECIAL "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS" PLATES.
(a) The commissioner shall issue special "Support Our Troops" license plates to an applicant who:
(1) is an owner of a passenger automobile, one-ton pickup truck, recreational vehicle, or motorcycle;
(2) pays a fee in the amount specified for special plates under section 168.12, subdivision 5;
(3) pays the registration tax required under section 168.013;
(4) pays the fees required under this chapter;
(5) contributes a minimum of $30 annually to the Minnesota "Support Our Troops" account established in section 190.19; and
(6) complies with laws and rules governing registration and licensing of vehicles and drivers.
(b) The license application under this section must indicate that the annual contribution specified under paragraph (a), clause (5), is a minimum contribution to receive the plates and that the applicant may make an additional contribution to the account.
After consultation with interested groups, the adjutant general and the commissioner of veterans affairs shall design the special plate, subject to the approval of the commissioner.
Contributions under this section must not be refunded.
Notwithstanding section 168.12, subdivision 1, on payment of a transfer fee of $5, plates issued under this section may be transferred to another passenger automobile, one-ton pickup truck, recreational vehicle, or motorcycle owned by the individual to whom the special plates were issued.
Contributions under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (5), must be paid to the commissioner and credited to the Minnesota "Support Our Troops" account established in section 190.19. The fees collected under this section must be deposited in the driver and vehicle services operating account under section 299A.705.
The commissioner shall maintain a record of the number of plates issued under this section.
169.32 STOPPING, STANDING, AND PARKING.
(a) Upon any highway outside of a business or residence district no person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon the paved or improved or main-traveled part of the highway when it is practical to stop, park, or so leave such vehicle off such part of said highway, but in every event a clear and unobstructed width of at least 20 feet of such part of the highway opposite such standing vehicle shall be left for the free passage of other vehicles and a clear view of such stopped vehicle be available from a distance of 200 feet in each direction upon such highway.
(b) This section shall not apply to the driver of any vehicle which is disabled while on the paved or improved or main-traveled portion of a highway in such a manner and to such extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving such disabled vehicle in such position.
(c) This section shall not apply to the driver of a school bus stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school child or school children provided the school bus is equipped and identified as provided in sections 169.441 and 169.442, subdivision 1, and is displaying the flashing red lamps and stop arm required therein.
168.1295 STATE PARKS AND TRAILS PLATES.
(a) The commissioner shall issue state parks and trails plates to an applicant who:
(1) is a registered owner of a passenger automobile, recreational vehicle, one-ton pickup truck, or motorcycle;
(2) pays a fee in the amount specified for special plates under section 168.12, subdivision 5;
(3) pays the registration tax required under section 168.013;
(4) pays the fees required under this chapter;
(5) contributes a minimum of $60 annually to the state parks and trails donation account established in section 85.056; and
(6) complies with this chapter and rules governing registration of motor vehicles and licensing of drivers.
(b) The state parks and trails plate application must indicate that the contribution specified under paragraph (a), clause (5), is a minimum contribution to receive the plate and that the applicant may make an additional contribution to the account.
(c) State parks and trails plates may be personalized according to section 168.12, subdivision 2a.
After consultation with interested groups, the commissioners of natural resources and public safety shall jointly select a suitable symbol for use by the commissioner of public safety to design the state parks and trails plates.
Contributions under this section must not be refunded.
Notwithstanding section 168.12, subdivision 1, on payment of a transfer fee of $5, plates issued under this section may be transferred to another passenger automobile registered to the person to whom the plates were issued.
Contributions under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (5), must be paid to the commissioner and credited to the state parks and trails donation account established in section 85.056. The other fees collected under this section must be deposited in the driver and vehicle services operating account under section 299A.705.
The commissioner shall maintain a record of the number of plates issued under this section.
Special plates issued under this section are not subject to section 168.1293, subdivision 2.
169.33 POLICE MAY MOVE VEHICLE.
(a) When any police officer finds a vehicle standing upon a highway in violation of any of the provisions of section 169.32, such officer is hereby authorized to move such vehicle, or require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to move the same, to a position off the paved or improved or main-traveled part of such highway.
(b) When any police officer finds a vehicle unattended upon any street or highway or upon any bridge or causeway or in any tunnel where such vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic, such officer is hereby authorized to provide for the removal of such vehicle and remove the same to the nearest convenient garage or other place of safety.
169.306 USE OF SHOULDERS BY BUSES.
(a) A road authority, as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 25, is authorized to permit transit buses and Metro Mobility buses use of a shoulder, as designated by the road authority, of a freeway or expressway, as defined in section 160.02, in Minnesota.
(b) If a road authority permits the use of a freeway or expressway shoulder by transit buses, the road authority shall permit the use on that shoulder of a bus (1) with a seating capacity of 40 passengers or more operated by a motor carrier of passengers, as defined in section 221.012, subdivision 26, while operating in intrastate commerce or (2) providing regular route transit service, as defined in section 174.22, subdivision 8, or Metro Mobility services, and operated by or under contract with the Metropolitan Council, a local transit authority, or a transit authority created by the legislature. Drivers of these buses must have adequate training in the requirements of paragraph (c), as determined by the commissioner.
(c) Buses authorized to use the shoulder under this section may be operated on the shoulder only when main-line traffic speeds are less than 35 miles per hour, except as provided for in paragraph (f). Drivers of buses being operated on the shoulder may not exceed the speed of main-line traffic by more than 15 miles per hour and may never exceed 35 miles per hour, except as provided for in paragraph (f). Drivers of buses being operated on the shoulder must yield to merging, entering, and exiting traffic and must yield to other vehicles on the shoulder. Buses operated on the shoulder must be registered with the Department of Transportation.
(d) For the purposes of this section, the term "Metro Mobility bus" means a motor vehicle of not less than 20 feet in length engaged in providing special transportation services under section 473.386 that is:
(1) operated by or under contract with a public or private entity receiving financial assistance to provide transit services from the Metropolitan Council or the commissioner of transportation; and
(2) authorized by a road authority to use freeway or expressway shoulders.
(e) This section does not apply to the operation of buses on dynamic shoulder lanes.
(f) The commissioner may authorize different operating conditions and maximum speeds, not to exceed the posted speed limit, based upon an engineering study and recommendation by the road authority. The engineering study must be conducted by the road authority and must conform with the manual and specifications adopted under section 169.06, subdivision 1, and applicable state and federal standards. The road authority shall consult the public transit operator before recommending operating conditions different from those authorized by law.
168.1299 MINNESOTA GOLF PLATES.
Notwithstanding section 168.1293, the commissioner shall issue special Minnesota golf plates or a single motorcycle plate to an applicant who:
(1) is a registered owner of a passenger automobile, one-ton pickup truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle;
(2) pays a fee in the amount specified for special plates under section 168.12, subdivision 5, and any other fees required by this chapter;
(3) contributes a minimum of $30 annually to the Minnesota Section PGA Foundation account; and
(4) complies with this chapter and rules governing registration of motor vehicles and licensing of drivers.
After consultation with the Minnesota Section PGA and the Minnesota Golf Association, the commissioner shall design the special plate.
On payment of a fee of $5, plates issued under this section may be transferred to another passenger automobile, one-ton pickup truck, motorcycle, or other recreational vehicle registered to the individual to whom the special plates were issued.
MS 2022 [Repealed, 2023 c 68 art 4 s 129]
Contributions collected under subdivision 1, clause (3), are credited first to the commissioner of public safety for the cost of administering the Minnesota Section PGA Foundation account, which is established in the special revenue fund. After the commissioner's administration costs are paid each year, remaining contributions are credited to the Minnesota Section PGA Foundation account. Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner of public safety for distribution to the Minnesota Section PGA Foundation, to be used to enhance and promote the game of golf throughout Minnesota.
168.13 PROOF OF OWNERSHIP.
(a) The registrar shall not approve an application and shall not issue number plates for any motor vehicle, unless and until the title certificate issued under chapter 168A, or registration certificate if not titled, is delivered to the registrar. The registrar must be satisfied from the records that all taxes and fees due have been paid and that endorsements upon the certificate are in writing and have been signed by the seller and purchaser.
(b) The registrar shall not register and shall not issue number plates for a motor vehicle brought into Minnesota from another state until:
(1) a registration certificate or other evidence of title as may reasonably be required from the registrant within that state is surrendered to the registrar in the same manner as certificates of this state; or in lieu thereof
(2) the registrar receives evidence of the chain of ownership as will assure the payment of the proper tax so long as the motor vehicle is in the state.
169.34 PROHIBITIONS; STOPPING, PARKING.
(a) A person must not stop, stand, or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following places:
(1) on a sidewalk;
(2) in front of a public or private driveway;
(3) within an intersection;
(4) within ten feet of a fire hydrant;
(5) on a crosswalk;
(6) within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection;
(7) within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic-control signal located at the side of a roadway;
(8) within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing;
(9) within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of said entrance when properly signposted;
(10) alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when such stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic;
(11) on the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;
(12) upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway or within a highway tunnel, except as otherwise provided by ordinance;
(13) within a bicycle lane, except when posted signs permit parking; or
(14) at any place where official signs prohibit stopping.
(b) A person must not move a vehicle not owned by the person into any prohibited area or away from a curb such distance as is unlawful.
(c) A person must not, for camping purposes, leave or park a travel trailer on or within the limits of any highway or on any highway right-of-way, except where signs are erected designating the place as a campsite.
(d) A person must not stop or park a vehicle on a street or highway when directed or ordered to proceed by any peace officer invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.
(a) If a motor vehicle is stopped, standing, or parked in violation of subdivision 1, the owner of the vehicle, or for a leased motor vehicle the lessee of the vehicle, is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
(b) The owner or lessee may not be fined under paragraph (a) if (1) another person is convicted for, or pleads guilty to, that violation, or (2) the motor vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation.
(c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a lessor of a motor vehicle if the lessor keeps a record of the name and address of the lessee.
(d) Paragraph (a) does not prohibit or limit the prosecution of a motor vehicle operator who violates subdivision 1.
(e) A violation under paragraph (a) does not constitute grounds for revocation or suspension of the owner's or lessee's driver's license.
169.342 GOOD SAMARITAN; EXCEPTION TO STOPPING AND PARKING.
(a) A person who stops or parks that person's motor vehicle on any highway or street for the sole purpose of aiding another motorist who signals for assistance by raising the hood of the vehicle or displaying a flag, flare or similar signal is not in violation of any law, ordinance, or rule prohibiting the stopping or parking of a motor vehicle, and no peace officer shall issue a traffic ticket therefor if:
(1) the motorist in distress is not already being given aid or assistance;
(2) the person takes reasonable safety precautions in stopping and parking the vehicle, and conforms with other laws regulating the stopping and parking of vehicles;
(3) the person is not in violation of traffic laws or rules other than the prohibition against stopping and parking; and
(4) the person promptly leaves the scene if directed to leave by a peace officer.
(b) This section does not apply to any person who stops or parks a vehicle next to an unattended vehicle.
171.302 LICENSE VIOLATIONS; CONSECUTIVE SENTENCING.
When sentencing an offender for violating section 171.20, subdivision 2; 171.24; or 171.30, the court may impose consecutive sentences for offenses arising out of a single course of conduct as permitted in section 609.035, subdivision 2.
168.16 REGISTRATION TAX REFUND; APPROPRIATION.
(a) After the registration tax upon any vehicle has been paid for any registration period, refund must be made for errors made in computing the registration tax or fees and for the error on the part of an owner who may in error have registered a vehicle that was not before, nor at the time of registration, nor at any time thereafter during the preceding registration period, subject to registration tax in this state as provided by section 168.012.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, a claim for a refund of an overpayment of registration tax must be filed within 3-1/2 years from the date of payment.
(c) The former registered owner of a transferred vehicle, by an assignment in writing endorsed upon the registration certificate and delivered to the commissioner within the time provided in this subdivision, shall assign, except for vehicles registered under section 168.187, to the new owner the right to have the tax paid by the former registered owner accredited to the new owner who duly registers the vehicle unless the registration stickers are surrendered to the commissioner before the first day of the new registration period.
(d) Any owner is entitled to a refund of the unused portion of the registration tax paid on the owner's vehicle upon filing a claim, verified by the commissioner, if the vehicle is:
(1) declared by an insurance company to be permanently destroyed due to accident, fire, or an Act of God as defined in section 115B.02; or
(2) sold to the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state.
(e) The refund must be equal to the sum of the remaining registration tax attributable for the registration period after the month in which the plates and certificate of registration or title were returned to the commissioner.
(f) There is hereby appropriated to the persons entitled to a refund, from the fund or account in the state treasury to which the money was credited, an amount sufficient to make the refund and payment.
169.35 PARKING.
Except where angle parking is permitted by local ordinance, each vehicle stopped or parked upon a two-way roadway where there is an adjacent curb shall be so stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels of the vehicle parallel with and within 12 inches of the right-hand curb, provided, that such exception shall only apply to a state trunk highway after approval by the commissioner.
Upon streets and highways not having a curb each vehicle stopped or parked shall be stopped or parked parallel with and to the right of the paved or improved or main-traveled part of the street or highway.
Local authorities with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and with the consent of the commissioner with respect to state trunk highways may by ordinance permit parking of vehicles with the left hand wheels adjacent to and within 12 inches of the left hand curb of a one-way roadway.
171.32 ACTION UPON INFORMATION RELATING TO BLINDNESS.
The commissioner upon receipt of any such information shall take such action as the commissioner deems necessary to insure that each such person meets the accepted visual acuity standards required of all driver's license applicants and such further action as required by law or rule. The driver's license of any person who has been classified as legally blind shall be immediately canceled.
Any person who is notified that the person's driver's license may be canceled because of a defect of visual acuity pursuant to the provisions of this section may demand and shall receive the standard visual acuity examination required of all driver's license applicants, or may be examined by a qualified physician of the person's choice.
The results of any visual acuity examination administered because of information received pursuant to this section may be communicated by the commissioner to the department from which the person received a benefit. The information received by the commissioner pursuant to this section must not be divulged or otherwise made known in any manner except in connection with the cancellation of drivers' licenses, and then only to the person involved whose license is canceled, and except for statistical purposes which do not reveal the identity of the individuals involved. The record of such person with respect to visual acuity shall be maintained in the same manner as all other driver's license records.
171.31 INFORMATION ON PERSON RECEIVING BLINDNESS BENEFITS.
The commissioner of public safety, in order to promote highway safety by restricting driving privileges to those persons meeting accepted visual acuity standards, may request and shall receive information concerning the identity and whereabouts of any person who has applied for or received any type of welfare, licensing, or other benefits for the blind or nearly blind, from the records of all departments, boards, bureaus, or other agencies of this state except the Department of Revenue, and they shall provide such information notwithstanding the provisions of section 268.19 or any other existing law or rule to the contrary, except that section 270B.02, subdivision 1, prohibits disclosure of information by the commissioner of revenue.
168.17 SUSPENSION OF REGISTRATION.
(a) All registrations and issue of number plates shall be subject to amendment, suspension, modification or revocation by the registrar summarily for any violation of or neglect to comply with the provisions of this chapter or when the transferee fails to comply with section 168A.10, subdivision 2, within 30 days of the date of sale.
(b) The registrar may suspend the registration of a motor vehicle if the tax on the vehicle was paid by means of a dishonored check to a deputy motor vehicle registrar. The registrar may continue a suspension under this paragraph until the registrar is informed by the deputy motor vehicle registrar that the dishonored check has been paid in full.
(c) In any case where the proper registration of a motor vehicle is dependent upon procuring information entailing such delay as to unreasonably deprive the owner of the use of the motor vehicle, the registrar may issue a tax receipt and plates conditionally.
(d) In any case when revoking a registration for cause, the registrar shall have authority to demand the return of the number plates and registration certificates, and, if necessary, to seize the number plates issued for such registration.
169.37 OBSTRUCTING VIEW OF DRIVER.
No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded, or when there are in the front seat such number of persons, exceeding three, as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or as to interfere with the driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.
No passenger in a vehicle or streetcar shall ride in such position as to interfere with the driver's view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere with the driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle or streetcar.
168.15 RIGHTS AS TO REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE AND PLATES.
(a) Upon the transfer of ownership, destruction, theft, dismantling, or permanent removal by the owner from this state of any vehicle registered in accordance with this chapter, the right of the owner of the vehicle to use the registration certificate and plates assigned to the vehicle expires.
(b) When the ownership of a vehicle is transferred to another person required to register the vehicle in this state, the transferor shall assign the registration tax paid to the credit of the transferee unless the registration stickers are surrendered to the commissioner before the first day of the new registration period.
(c) When seeking to become the owner by gift, trade, or purchase of any vehicle for which a registration certificate has been issued under this chapter, a person shall join with the registered owner in transmitting with the application for transfer of ownership, the registration certificate, with the assignment and notice of sale duly executed.
(d) In case of loss of the title or certificate of registration of a vehicle not subject to section 325E.15, the person shall make application to the commissioner with proof of loss of the title as specified in section 168A.09 and assign a notice of sale of the vehicle on the application for title as specified in section 168A.04.
(e) Upon the transfer of any vehicle by a manufacturer or dealer, for use within the state, whether by sale, lease, or otherwise, the transferor shall, within ten days after the transfer, file with the commissioner (1) a notice containing the date of transfer, a description of the vehicle, and the transferee's name and residence address in the state or if not a natural person then the transferee's business and mailing address, and (2) the transferee's application for registration.
MS 2004 [Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 6 art 3 s 108]
171.3213 THIRD-PARTY TESTING OF SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS.
A school district that is a third-party testing program and owns or operates school buses may enter into an agreement with other school districts to test the other districts' school bus driver employees. A school bus company that is a third-party testing program and owns or operates school buses may enter into an agreement with other school bus companies to test the other companies' school bus driver employees. A third-party testing program may be reimbursed by the tested driver's school district or company. The agreement must be submitted to the commissioner for approval. A certified third-party tester must be employed by a school district or a school bus company providing the testing services.
169.40 FIRE TRUCK; FIRE STATION.
The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than 500 feet, or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where a fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
No person shall drive a vehicle within 50 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station while a fire apparatus is being driven into the fire station unless on official business.
168.183 MOTOR VEHICLES OF CERTAIN NONRESIDENTS.
All trucks, truck-tractors, trucks using combination, and buses which comply with all of the provisions of section 168.181, subdivision 1, clause (6), but are excluded from the exemptions solely because of the temporary nature of their movement in this state, shall be required to comply with all laws and rules as to the payment of taxes applicable to like vehicles owned by Minnesota residents, except that nonresidents may make application to pay the tax for each vehicle proportionate to the number of months or fraction thereof the vehicles are in this state. For the purposes of this subdivision, buses do not include charter buses that are considered proratable vehicles under section 168.187, subdivision 4. Fees are determined by section 168.013, subdivision 1e.
The application shall contain such information and shall be executed in such manner as the registrar may require and shall include a complete itinerary of the applicant and shall be accompanied by such evidence of ownership as the registrar shall deem necessary.
Upon payment of the required tax the registrar shall issue, in lieu of registration plates, a permit for each vehicle so taxed. The permit shall contain the name and address of the owner, the make, type, serial number and year model of the vehicle, the expiration date and any other information deemed necessary by the registrar. The permit must be available in a format prescribed by the registrar while the vehicle is being operated in this state.
168.185 USDOT NUMBERS.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d), an owner of a truck or truck-tractor having a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds, as defined in section 169.011, subdivision 32, shall report to the commissioner at the time of registration its USDOT carrier number.
(b) Assigned USDOT numbers must be displayed as required by section 221.031, subdivision 6. The vehicle owner shall notify the commissioner if there is a change to the owner's USDOT number.
(c) If an owner fails to report or apply for a USDOT number, the commissioner shall suspend the owner's registration.
(d) This section does not apply to (1) a farm truck that is not used in interstate commerce, (2) a vehicle that is not used in intrastate commerce or interstate commerce, or (3) a vehicle that is owned and used solely in the transaction of official business by the federal government, the state, or any political subdivision.
171.36 LICENSE FEES; RENEWAL.
All licenses expire one year from the date of issuance and may be renewed upon application to the commissioner. Each application for an original or renewal school license must be accompanied by a fee of $150 and each application for an original or renewal instructor's license must be accompanied by a fee of $50. The license fees collected under sections 171.33 to 171.41 must be paid into the driver and vehicle services operating account under section 299A.705. A license fee must not be refunded in the event that the license is rejected or revoked.
168.221 COMMERCIAL VEHICLES; TAXES OR FEES.
The registrar may promulgate such rules as may be necessary to accomplish the purpose of section 168.181, subdivision 1, clause (6), as to the payment of partial taxes collectible under sections 168.181 to 168.211 and this section and may waive any reciprocal agreement required thereunder with any state, district, territory, or possession or arrangements with foreign countries or provinces if under the laws of such state, district, territory, or possession or foreign country or province residents of Minnesota are privileged to operate motor vehicles upon the streets and highways of such state, district, territory, or possession or foreign country or province without the payment of taxes or fees of any character whatsoever.
171.34 LICENSE FOR SCHOOL REQUIRED.
No commercial driver training school shall be established or operated after January 1, 1968, unless such school has applied for and obtained a license from the commissioner. The commissioner shall issue or adopt rules governing the requirements for a license, which may include requirements concerning location, equipment, courses of instruction, previous records of the school and instructors, financial statements, filing of schedule of maximum fees and charges, character and reputation of the instructors, insurance in such sum and with such provisions as the commissioner deems necessary to protect the interests of the public, and such other matters as the commissioner may prescribe, but the applicant shall not be required to have qualified for a teacher's certificate as required in the public school system.
171.35 LICENSE FOR INSTRUCTOR REQUIRED.
No person shall act as an instructor after January 1, 1968, unless such person has applied for and obtained a license from the commissioner. The commissioner shall issue or adopt rules governing the requirements for an instructor's license, which may include requirements concerning moral character, physical condition, knowledge of the courses of instruction and of motor vehicle laws and safety principles and practices, previous personnel and employment records, teaching experience and qualifications, and such other matters as the commissioner may prescribe, but the applicant shall not be required to have qualified for a teacher's certificate as required in the public school system.
(a) Before issuing a driving instructor license, the commissioner shall conduct a criminal history and driver's license records check of the applicant. The commissioner may also conduct the check at any time while a person is so licensed. The check must consist of a criminal history check of the state criminal records repository, a national criminal history check, and a check of the driver's license records system. The commissioner shall accept the applicant's signed informed consent form for the national criminal history check request, fingerprints, and required fees. The commissioner shall submit the applicant's signed informed consent form, fingerprints, and fees to the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, who is authorized to exchange the fingerprints with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to obtain the applicant's national criminal history record information. The superintendent shall also retrieve Minnesota criminal history data and provide the results of both checks to the commissioner. Using the criminal history data provided by the superintendent, the commissioner shall determine whether the applicant is disqualified from licensure. The applicant's failure to cooperate with the commissioner in conducting the records check is reasonable cause to deny an application or suspend a driving instructor license.
(b) The commissioner may issue to an otherwise qualified applicant a temporary driving instructor license, effective for no more than 180 days, upon presentation of (1) an affidavit by the applicant that the applicant has not been convicted of a gross misdemeanor or felony, and (2) a criminal history check from each state of residence. The criminal history check may be conducted and prepared by any public or private source acceptable to the commissioner. The commissioner may reissue the temporary endorsement if the national criminal records repository check is timely submitted but not completed within the 180-day period.
169.445 COOPERATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
The commissioner of public safety shall ensure that local authorities having jurisdiction over school buses shall cooperate with law enforcement and judicial authorities in reporting and prosecuting violators of sections 169.443 and 169.444.
[Repealed, 2012 c 137 s 9]
[Repealed, 1994 c 647 art 12 s 43]
169.442 SCHOOL BUS SIGNALS.
A type A, B, C, or D school bus must be equipped with at least one stop-signal arm, prewarning flashing amber signals, and flashing red signals.
[Repealed, 1994 c 647 art 12 s 43]
[Repealed, 1994 c 647 art 12 s 43]
In addition to equipment required under subdivision 1, and notwithstanding section 169.64, a school bus may be equipped with a driver-activated, exterior student-control, warning system. The driver shall activate this system when the use of the stop-signal arm and flashing red signals is required under section 169.443, subdivision 1.
A school bus or a Head Start bus may be equipped with a flashing strobe lamp under section 169.64, subdivision 8.
In addition to the signals required under subdivision 1, a type A, B, C, or D school bus may be equipped with a supplemental warning system under section 169.4503, subdivision 31.
169.446 SAFETY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN; TRAINING AND EDUCATION RULES.
The Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training shall include sections 169.441 to 169.448 and the enforcement of sections 169.443, 169.444, 169.447, and 169.448 in the instruction for the professional peace officer education program. The board shall notify the chief law enforcement officer of each law enforcement agency in the state of these sections.
The commissioner of public safety shall adopt rules requiring a minimum of 30 minutes of thorough instruction concerning section 169.444 for persons enrolled in driver training programs offered at public, private and parochial schools, and commercial driver training schools. The instruction must encompass at least the responsibilities of drivers, the content and requirements of section 169.444, and the penalties for violating that section.
[Repealed, 2008 c 350 art 1 s 97]
171.37 INSPECTION AND EXAMINATION.
The commissioner or an authorized representative shall inspect the school facilities and equipment of applicants and licensees and shall examine applicants for instructor's licenses. The commissioner shall issue or adopt such rules and do all things necessary and proper to accomplish the purposes of this section.
168.211 SUBJECTION TO STATE LAWS GENERALLY.
All vehicles operated in Minnesota pursuant to sections 168.181 to 168.221 shall be subject to all provisions of law applicable to vehicles owned or operated by Minnesota residents except to the extent that exemption is provided from said laws by such sections.
171.38 SCHOOL OR INSTRUCTOR LICENSE DENIAL OR REVOCATION.
The commissioner may revoke or refuse to issue or renew a school or instructor's license in any case on finding that the applicant or licensee has not complied with, or has violated any of the provisions of sections 171.33 to 171.41 or any rule issued or adopted pursuant thereto. Any revoked license shall be returned to the commissioner by the licensee, and its holder cannot apply for a new license for a period as determined by the commissioner not to exceed one year from the date of such revocation.
168.24 ROADABLE AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION.
(a) For purposes of this section, "roadable aircraft" has the meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 67a.
(b) An owner of a roadable aircraft must comply with all rules and requirements of this chapter and chapter 168A governing the titling, registration, taxation, and insurance of motor vehicles.
(c) A person who seeks to register a roadable aircraft for operation as a motor vehicle on public roadways in Minnesota must apply to the commissioner. The application must contain:
(1) the name and address of the owner of the roadable aircraft;
(2) the federally issued tail number assigned to the aircraft;
(3) the make and model of the roadable aircraft; and
(4) any other information the commissioner may require.
(d) Upon receipt of a valid and complete application for registration of a roadable aircraft, the commissioner must issue a certificate of registration.
(e) A valid registration certificate issued under this section must be located inside the roadable aircraft when the aircraft is in operation on a public highway.
(f) A roadable aircraft registered as a motor vehicle under this section must also be registered as an aircraft as provided in section 360.60.
171.39 EXEMPTIONS.
(a) The provisions of sections 171.33 to 171.41 do not apply to any person giving driver training lessons without charge; to employers maintaining driver training schools without charge for their employees only; to a home school within the meaning of sections 120A.22 and 120A.24; or to schools or classes conducted by colleges, universities, and high schools as a part of the normal program for those institutions.
(b) Any person who is a certificated driver training instructor in a high school driver training program may give driver training instruction to persons over the age of 18 without acquiring a driver training school license or instructor's license, and those instructors may make a charge for that instruction, if there is no private commercial driver training school licensed under sections 171.33 to 171.41 within ten miles of the municipality where driver training instruction is given and there is no adult drivers training program in effect in the schools of the school district in which the trainee resides.
171.395 TELECONFERENCE DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM.
A licensed or approved driver education program that provides both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction may offer teleconference driver education as provided in this section. For purposes of this section, the driver education program must offer both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction.
(a) A teleconference driver education program must:
(1) meet the requirements as provided in section 171.0701, subdivision 1, and Minnesota Rules, chapter 7411, or successor rules;
(2) use teleconferencing, or another similar method, that provides live synchronous distance learning and ensures that student questions and comments can be addressed in real time;
(3) link all locations together with picture and sound;
(4) use classroom instruction curriculum identical to the curriculum used by the driver education program in an in-person setting;
(5) offer teleconference instruction to any student enrolled in the approved driver education program; and
(6) provide teleconference interactive supplemental parent curriculum consistent with section 171.0701, subdivision 1a.
(b) A student may receive teleconference instruction only if the driver education instructor verifies the student can interact with the instructor in real time with picture and sound.
168.25 VEHICLES USED FOR TESTING.
The registrar shall, on request, issue to a first-stage manufacturer of motor vehicles one or more manufacturer test plates that display a general distinguishing number. The fee for each of the first four plates is $40 per calendar year, of which $25 must be paid to the registrar and the remaining $15 is payable as sales tax on motor vehicles under section 297B.035. For each additional plate, the manufacturer shall pay the registrar a fee of $10 and a tax on motor vehicles under section 297B.035 of $15 per calendar year. The registrar shall deposit the tax in the state treasury to be credited under section 297B.09.
A motor vehicle owned by a first-stage manufacturer and bearing the number plate issued under subdivision 1 may be operated on public streets and highways by the manufacturer or an employee or agent of the manufacturer, for the purpose of conducting environmental testing, and for transportation to and from a bona fide environmental testing facility.
168.26 CERTAIN MANUFACTURERS NEED NOT REGISTER.
Manufacturers within the state of motor vehicles which shall not use the public highways, and manufacturers or dealers distributing motor vehicles which shall not have used the public highways in the state and are not for sale in the state from points in this state to other states, shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter requiring the listing and registration thereof.
169.4475 SPECIAL EVENT SCHOOL BUS USE.
A pupil transport entity that meets the requirements of this section may operate a school bus for which the entity has paid registration tax under section 168.013, subdivision 18, to provide transportation that is not pupil transportation without reregistration of the bus, issuance of new plates, or payment of additional taxes and fees under chapter 168.
A pupil transport entity may operate a school bus under this section if:
(1) the transportation is performed under an agreement with a tax exempt entity under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, as defined in section 289A.02, subdivision 7, solely to transport participants in conjunction with a special event of up to two days organized or substantially sponsored by the tax exempt entity; and
(2) the pupil transportation entity meets the requirements of a motor carrier of passengers under chapter 221, including but not limited to use of a temporary vehicle identification card under section 221.132 for the school bus.
Notwithstanding section 169.448, subdivision 1, a school bus operated under this section may:
(1) be painted national school bus glossy yellow; and
(2) be equipped with a stop-signal arm, prewarning flashing amber signals, and flashing red signals.
171.396 ONLINE DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM.
(a) A licensed or approved driver education program may offer online driver education as provided in this section. The online driver education program must satisfy the requirements for classroom driver education as provided in section 171.0701, subdivision 1, and Minnesota Rules, chapter 7411. In addition, an online driver education program must:
(1) include a means for the student to measure performance outcomes;
(2) use a pool of rotating quiz questions;
(3) incorporate accountability features to ensure the identity of the student while engaged in the course of online study;
(4) measure the amount of time that the student spends in the course;
(5) provide technical support to customers that is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week;
(6) require a licensed Minnesota driver education instructor to monitor each student's progress and be available to answer questions in a timely manner, provided that the instructor is not required to monitor progress or answer questions in real time;
(7) store course content and student data on a secure server that is protected against data breaches and is regularly backed up;
(8) incorporate preventive measures in place to protect against the access of private information;
(9) include the ability to update course content uniformly throughout the state; and
(10) provide online interactive supplemental parental curriculum consistent with section 171.0701, subdivision 1a.
(b) Except as required by this section, the commissioner is prohibited from imposing requirements on online driver education programs that are not equally applicable to classroom driver education programs.
171.40 DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOL VIOLATION; PETTY MISDEMEANOR.
A violation of any provision of sections 171.33 to 171.41 or any rule issued or adopted pursuant thereto shall be a petty misdemeanor.
169.449 SCHOOL BUS OPERATION.
The commissioner of public safety shall adopt rules governing the operation of school buses used for transportation of school children, when owned or operated by a school or privately owned and operated under a contract with a school. Each school, its officers and employees, and each person employed under the contract is subject to these rules.
The operation of a school bus on the public streets or highways in violation of rules concerning the operation of school buses adopted by the commissioner under subdivision 1 is a misdemeanor. The State Patrol shall enforce rules adopted under subdivision 1 when a school bus is operated on a public street or highway.
171.41 COOPERATION OF STATE AGENCIES.
The commissioner shall request and receive the assistance of other state departments and agencies in establishing rules pursuant to sections 171.33 to 171.41.
168.2702 MOTOR VEHICLE LEASES; INDEMNITY AGREEMENTS.
Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, a provision in a motor vehicle lease agreement that indemnifies the lessor against any claims or liabilities arising out of the use, operation, or maintenance of the vehicle by the lessee includes the right to indemnity for traffic violations, penalties, and punitive damages caused by the lessee and is enforceable in accordance with its terms. This section does not relieve the lessor of any liability, penalty, or damages arising out of its own acts or omissions.