Minn. Stat. § 169.011
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section shall have the meanings ascribed to them.
"Alleyway" means a private or public passage or way located in a municipality and which (1) is less than the usual width of a street, (2) may be open to but is not designed primarily for general vehicular traffic, (3) intersects or opens to a street, and (4) is primarily used for the ingress and egress or other convenience of two or more owners of abutting real properties.
"Authorized emergency vehicle" means any of the following vehicles when equipped and identified according to law:
"Bicycle lane" means a portion of a roadway designed for exclusive or preferential use by persons using bicycles. Bicycle lanes are to be distinguished from the portion of the roadway used for motor vehicle traffic by physical barrier, striping, marking, or other similar device.
"Bicycle path" means a bicycle facility designed for exclusive or preferential use by persons using bicycles and constructed or developed separately from the roadway or shoulder.
The term "bicycle route" means a roadway or shoulder signed to encourage bicycle use.
"Bicycle trail" means a bicycle route or bicycle path developed by the commissioner of natural resources under section 85.016.
"Bikeway" means a bicycle lane, bicycle path, bicycle route, shared use path, or similar bicycle facility, regardless of whether it is designed for the exclusive use of bicycles or for shared use with other transportation modes.
"Bug deflector" means a nonilluminated, transparent device attached to the hood of a motor vehicle so as to deflect the air stream.
"Bus" means every motor vehicle designed for carrying more than 15 passengers including the driver and used for the transportation of persons.
"Bus pool" means a prearranged ride-sharing arrangement in which a group of persons travel together on a regular basis in a bus, especially to and from their place of employment or to and from a transit stop authorized by a local transit authority.
"Business district" means the territory contiguous to and including a highway when 50 percent or more of the frontage thereon for a distance of 300 feet or more is occupied by buildings in use for business.
"Car pool" means a prearranged ride-sharing arrangement in which two or more persons travel together on a regular basis in an automobile, especially to and from their place of employment or to and from a transit stop authorized by a local transit authority.
"Cellular phone" means a cellular, analog, wireless, or digital telephone capable of sending or receiving telephone or text messages without an access line for service.
"Class 1 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
"Class 2 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with an electric motor that is capable of propelling the bicycle without the rider pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
"Class 3 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.
Unless stated otherwise, "commissioner" means the commissioner of transportation of this state. Regardless of the commissioner referred to, however, the commissioner is to be considered as acting directly or through the commissioner's duly authorized officers and agents.
"Commuter vanpool" means a prearranged ride-sharing arrangement in which seven to 16 persons travel together on a regular basis in a commuter van, especially to and from their place of employment or to and from a transit stop authorized by a local transit authority.
"Controlled-access highway" means, in this chapter, every highway, street, or roadway in respect to which the right of access of the owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons has been acquired and to which the owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same except at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over such highway, street or roadway.
"Crosswalk" means
"Custom service vehicles" means all vehicles used as well-drilling machine, wood-sawing machine, cement mixer, rock crusher, road grader, ditch digger, or elevating grader, and similar service equipment.
For purposes of regulating the operation of a motor vehicle, "daytime" means the time from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Unless stated otherwise, "department" means the Department of Transportation of this state. Regardless of the department referred to, however, it is to be considered as acting directly or through its duly authorized officers and agents.
"Driver" means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
"Dynamic shoulder lane" has the meaning given in section 160.02, subdivision 18a.
"Electric personal assistive mobility device" means a self-balancing device with two nontandem wheels, designed to transport not more than one person, and operated by an electric propulsion system that limits the maximum speed of the device to 15 miles per hour.
"Explosives" has the meaning given in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 173.50.
"Farm tractor" means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm implement for drawing plows, mowing machines, and other implements of husbandry.
"Flammable liquid" has the meaning given in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 173.120.
"Full-size pickup truck" means any truck with a manufacturer's nominal rated carrying capacity of one ton or less and commonly known as or resembling a pickup truck.
"Gross vehicle weight" means the greater of:
"Hazardous materials" means any material that has been designated as hazardous under United States Code, title 49, section 5103, and is required to be placarded under Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 172, subpart F, or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, part 73.
"Implement of husbandry" means a self-propelled or towed vehicle designed or adapted to be used exclusively for timber-harvesting, agricultural, horticultural, or livestock-raising operations.
"Laned highway" means a highway the roadway of which is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.
"Local authorities" means every county, municipal, and other local board or body having authority to adopt local police regulations under the constitution and laws of this state, and the Regents of the University of Minnesota, with reference to property owned, leased, or occupied by the Regents of the University of Minnesota or the University of Minnesota.
"Medium-speed electric vehicle" means an electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle, equipped with a roll cage or crushproof body design, that can attain a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour on a paved level surface, is fully enclosed and has at least one door for entry, has a wheelbase of 40 inches or greater and a wheel diameter of ten inches or greater, and except with respect to maximum speed, otherwise meets or exceeds regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 571.500, and successor requirements.
"Metal tire" means every tire the surface of which in contact with the highway is wholly or partly of metal or other hard nonresilient material.
"Mobile crane" means a vehicle (1) not designed or used to transport persons or property, (2) operated only incidentally on the highway and not subject to vehicle registration under chapter 168, and (3) comprising a boom and hoisting mechanism used in the construction industry. Mobile crane does not include a motor vehicle, designed to transport persons or property, to which a boom, hoist, crane, or other machinery has been attached.
"Motor vehicle dealer" means any person engaged in the business of manufacturing or selling new and unused motor vehicles, or used motor vehicles, or both, having an established place of business for the sale, trade, and display of such motor vehicles, and having in possession motor vehicles for the purpose of sale or trade.
"Motorcycle" means every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, including motor scooters and autocycles. Motorcycle does not include (1) motorized bicycles as defined in subdivision 45, (2) electric-assisted bicycles as defined in subdivision 27, (3) a tractor, or (4) roadable aircraft.
"Motorized bicycle" means a bicycle that is propelled by an electric or a liquid fuel motor of a piston displacement capacity of 50 cubic centimeters or less, and a maximum of two brake horsepower, which is capable of a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on a flat surface with not more than one percent grade in any direction when the motor is engaged. Motorized bicycle does not include an electric-assisted bicycle as defined in subdivision 27.
"Multiple mode electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with switchable or programmable modes that provide for operation as two or more of a class 1, class 2, or class 3 electric-assisted bicycle in conformance with the definition and requirements under this chapter for each respective class.
"Motorized foot scooter" means a device with handlebars designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, and powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion, and that has no more than two 12-inch or smaller diameter wheels and has an engine or motor that is capable of a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour on a flat surface with not more than one percent grade in any direction when the motor is engaged. An electric personal assistive mobility device, a motorized bicycle, an electric-assisted bicycle, or a motorcycle is not a motorized foot scooter.
"Natural gas vehicle" or "NGV" means a motor vehicle under subdivision 42 that is capable of being propelled by natural gas, including compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas.
"Narrow-width lane" means a traffic lane that is too narrow to allow persons operating a bicycle and persons operating a motor vehicle within the same lane to operate side by side in compliance with the minimum safe passing clearance set forth in section 169.18.
"Neighborhood electric vehicle" means an electrically powered motor vehicle that has three or four wheels, and has a speed attainable in one mile of at least 20 miles per hour but not more than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface.
For purposes of regulating the operation of a motor vehicle, "nighttime" means the time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.
"Nondivisible load" or "nondivisible vehicle" means any load or vehicle exceeding the applicable length, width, height, or weight limits set forth in this chapter which, if separated into smaller loads or vehicles, would:
"Official traffic-control devices" means all signs, signals, markings, and devices not inconsistent with this chapter placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.
"One-way roadway" means a street or roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic and on which all vehicles are required to move in one indicated direction.
"Owner" means a person who holds the legal title of a vehicle, or in the event a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or in the event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then such conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner for the purpose of this chapter.
"Passenger vehicle" means a passenger automobile defined in section 168.002, subdivision 24; a pickup truck defined in section 168.002, subdivision 26; a van defined in section 168.002, subdivision 40; and a self-propelled, recreational vehicle licensed under chapter 168 to use the public streets or highways. "Passenger vehicle" does not include a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, bus, school bus, a vehicle designed to operate exclusively on railroad tracks, a farm truck defined in section 168.002, subdivision 8, or special mobile equipment defined in section 168.002, subdivision 31.
"Pedestrian" means any person afoot or in a wheelchair.
"Person" means every natural person, firm, copartnership, association, or corporation.
"Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle" means an electric vehicle that (1) contains an internal combustion engine and also allows power to be delivered to the drive wheels by a battery-powered electric motor; (2) when connected to the electrical grid via an electrical outlet, is able to recharge its battery; and (3) has the ability to travel at least 20 miles powered substantially by electricity.
"Platooning system" means driver-assisted vehicle-to-vehicle technology that integrates electronic communications between and among multiple vehicles to synchronize speed, acceleration, and braking while leaving system monitoring and intervention in the control of each vehicle's human operator.
"Pneumatic tire" means every tire in which compressed air is designed to support the load.
"Police officer" means every officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic rules.
"Private road or driveway" means every way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons.
"Railroad" means a carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails.
"Railroad sign or signal" means any sign, signal, or device erected by authority of a public body or official or by a railroad and intended to give notice of the presence of railroad tracks or the approach of a railroad train.
"Railroad train" means a steam engine, electric or other motor, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails, except streetcars.
"Recreational truck-tractor" means a truck-tractor with a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 24,000 pounds, that is designed exclusively or adapted specifically to tow a semitrailer coupled by means of a fifth-wheel plate and kingpin assembly.
"Recycling vehicle" means a vehicle hauling recyclable materials as authorized by section 115A.93, subdivision 1.
"Red light camera system" means an electronic system of one or more cameras or other motor vehicle sensors that is specifically designed to automatically produce recorded images of a motor vehicle operated in violation of a traffic-control signal, including related information technology for recorded image storage, retrieval, and transmission.
"Residence district" means the territory contiguous to and including a highway not comprising a business district when the property on such highway for a distance of 300 feet or more is in the main improved with residences or residences and buildings in use for business.
"Residential roadway" means a city street or town road that is either (1) less than one-half mile in total length, or (2) in an area zoned exclusively for housing that is not a collector or arterial street.
"Ride-sharing arrangement" means the transportation of persons, for a fee or otherwise, in a motor vehicle when the transportation is incidental to another purpose of the driver. The term includes the forms of shared transportation known as car pools, commuter vanpools, and bus pools, whether or not furnished by an employer. A "ride-sharing arrangement" does not include transportation of employees by an employer from one place of employment to another.
"Right-of-way" means the privilege of the immediate use of highway.
"Road tractor" means every motor vehicle designed and used for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry any load thereon either independently or any part of the weight of a vehicle or load so drawn.
"Roadable aircraft" means any aircraft capable of taking off and landing from a suitable airfield and that is also designed to be operated on a public highway as a motor vehicle.
"Roadway" means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalk or shoulder. During periods when the commissioner allows the use of dynamic shoulder lanes as defined in subdivision 25, roadway includes that shoulder. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term "roadway" as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.
"Rural mail carrier vehicle" is a motor vehicle operated by a rural mail carrier on a rural mail route.
MS 2022 [Repealed, 2024 c 104 art 1 s 110]
"Semitrailer" means a vehicle of the trailer type so designed and used in conjunction with a truck-tractor that a considerable part of its own weight or that of its load rests upon and is carried by the truck-tractor and includes a trailer drawn by a truck-tractor semitrailer combination.
"Service vehicle" means a motor vehicle owned and operated by a person, firm or corporation engaged in a business which includes the repairing or servicing of vehicles. The term also includes snow removal and road maintenance equipment not operated by or under contract to the state or a governmental subdivision.
"Shared use path" means a bicycle facility that is (1) physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier, (2) located within either the highway right-of-way or an independent right-of-way, and (3) available for use by other nonmotorized users.
"Shoulder" means that part of a highway which is contiguous to the regularly traveled portion of the highway and is on the same level as the highway. The shoulder may be pavement, gravel, or earth.
"Sidewalk" means that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.
"Solid tire" means every tire of rubber or other resilient material which does not depend upon compressed air for the support of the load.
"Solid waste vehicle" means a vehicle hauling solid waste as authorized by section 115A.93, subdivision 1.
MS 2012 [Expired, 2008 c 350 art 1 s 25; 2008 c 366 art 9 s 6]
"Speed safety camera system" means an electronic system of one or more cameras or other motor vehicle sensors that is specifically designed to automatically produce recorded images of a motor vehicle operated in violation of the speed limit, including related information technology for recorded image storage, retrieval, and transmission.
"Stand or standing" means the halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.
"Stop" means complete cessation from movement.
"Stopping" means any halting even momentarily of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control sign or signal.
"Street or highway" means the entire width between boundary lines of any way or place when any part thereof is open to the use of the public, as a matter of right, for the purposes of vehicular traffic.
"Through highway" means every highway or portion thereof at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from intersecting highways is required by law to stop before entering or crossing the same and when stop signs are erected as provided in this chapter.
MS 2010 [Renumbered 168B.011, subd 12a]
"Tow truck" or "towing vehicle" has the meaning given in section 168B.011, subdivision 12a.
"Traffic" means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars, and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any highway for purposes of travel.
"Traffic-control signal" means any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and permitted to proceed.
"Traffic safety camera system" means a red light camera system, a speed safety camera system, or both in combination.
"Trailer" means any vehicle designed for carrying property or passengers on its own structure and for being drawn by a motor vehicle but does not include a trailer drawn by a truck-tractor semitrailer combination or an auxiliary axle on a motor vehicle which carries a portion of the weight of the motor vehicle to which it is attached.
"Transit bus" means a bus engaged in regular route transit as defined in section 174.22, subdivision 8.
"Truck" means every motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
"Truck-tractor" means:
"Urban district" means the territory contiguous to and including any city street or town road that is built up with structures devoted to business, industry, or dwelling houses situated at intervals of less than 100 feet for a distance of a quarter of a mile or more.
"Valid license," "valid driver's license," "valid Minnesota driver's license," "valid standard driver's license," or other similar term, has the meaning given in section 171.01, subdivision 49a.
"Vehicle" means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
"Vehicle platoon" means a group of commercial vehicles traveling in a unified manner through use of a platooning system or systems. A vehicle platoon consists of a lead vehicle and following vehicles. A vehicle platoon is not a combination vehicle under this chapter.
"Vulnerable road user" means a person in the right-of-way of a highway, including but not limited to a bikeway and an adjacent sidewalk or trail, who is:
Vulnerable road user includes the operator and any passengers for a vehicle, device, or personal conveyance identified in this subdivision.
For the purposes of this chapter, "wheelchair" is defined to include any manual or motorized wheelchair, scooter, tricycle, or similar device used by a disabled person as a substitute for walking.
"Work zone" means a segment of street or highway for which:
Minn. Stat. § 169.011
(2720-151) 1937 c 464 s 1; Ex1937 c 38 s 1; 1939 c 430 s 1; 1947 c 204 s 1; 1947 c 428 s 1-4; 1949 c 90 s 1; 1949 c 247 s 1; 1951 c 114 s 1; 1951 c 331 s 1; 1953 c 289 s 1; 1953 c 303 s 1; 1955 c 536 s 1; 1959 c 521 s 1; 1961 c 42 s 1; 1963 c 357 s 1; 1971 c 164 s 1,2; 1973 c 27 s 1; 1974 c 379 s 1; 1975 c 29 s 2; 1976 c 104 s 1; 1976 c 166 s 7; 1977 c 214 s 6,7; 1978 c 494 s 1; 1978 c 613 s 4; 1978 c 727 s 1; 1978 c 739 s 1-5; 1981 c 321 s 2; 1982 c 468 s 1,2; 1983 c 198 s 4; 1983 c 311 s 3-6; 1984 c 403 s 1; 1984 c 417 s 23; 1984 c 430 s 1; 1984 c 549 s 26-28; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 310 s 1; 1986 c 398 art 13 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 255 s 7-13; 1987 c 269 s 4; 1989 c 209 art 2 s 1; 1989 c 250 s 1; 1989 c 307 s 2, 3; 1990 c 497 s 9; 1990 c 529 s 1, 2; 1991 c 112 s 1; 1991 c 277 s 2, 17; 1991 c 333 s 10, 11; 1992 c 513 art 3 s 33; 1992 c 578 s 4; 1993 c 83 s 1; 1993 c 111 s 1, 3; 1993 c 117 s 5; 1993 c 187 s 2; 1994 c 478 s 1; 1994 c 603 s 1, 2; 1994 c 635 art 1 s 10; 1994 c 647 art 12 s 11; 1995 c 3 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 2 s 30; 1996 c 412 art 2 s 14; 1996 c 435 s 13, 14; 1996 c 442 s 3, 4; 1997 c 143 s 5-8; 1997 c 159 art 2 s 17; 1Sp1997 c 2 s 21-25; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 12 s 5; 1998 c 397 art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 6 s 30; 1999 c 241 art 9 s 40; 2000 c 478 art 2 s 7; 2001 c 97 s 1, 5; 2001 c 119 s 1; 2001 c 161 s 58; 1Sp2001 c 8 art 2 s 7; 2002 c 285 s 2, 3; 1Sp2003 c 19 art 2 s 64; 2004 c 294 art 2 s 17, 18; 2005 c 135 s 4, 5; 1Sp2005 c 6 art 3 s 36-38; 2006 c 189 s 4; 2006 c 231 s 1; 2007 c 146 art 8 s 3; 2008 c 277 art 1 s 21; 2008 c 287 art 1 s 35-41; 2008 c 306 s 3, 4; 2008 c 350 art 1 s 25-29; 2008 c 366 art 9 s 6; 2009 c 56s 1-3; 2009 c 96 art 8s 2; 2009 c 134s 2, 3; 2009 c 158s 2, 10; 2010 c 382 s 39; 2012 c 287 art 3 s 23-26; 2013 c 102 s 2; 2013 c 125 art 1 s 37; 2013 c 127 s 27; 2014 c 255 s 20; 2014 c 281 s 5; 2014 c 312 art 11 s 4; 1Sp2015 c 3 art 4 s 10; 2016 c 114 s 1, 2; 2016 c 142 s 3