Subdivision 1. Prohibitions generally; exceptions. (a) A person shall not drive or operate any motor vehicle with:
(1) a windshield cracked or discolored to an extent to limit or obstruct proper vision;
(2) any objects suspended between the driver and the windshield, other than:
(i) sun visors;
(ii) rearview mirrors;
(iii) driver feedback and safety monitoring equipment when mounted immediately behind, slightly above, or slightly below the rearview mirror;
(iv) global positioning systems or navigation systems when mounted or located near the bottommost portion of the windshield;
(v) electronic toll collection devices; and
(vi) an identifying device as provided in section 169.58, subdivision 5, when the device is mounted or located near the bottommost portion of the windshield; or
(3) any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, sidewings, or side or rear windows of the vehicle, other than a certificate or other paper required to be so displayed by law or authorized by the state director of the Division of Emergency Management or the commissioner of public safety.
(b) Paragraph (a), clauses (2) and (3), do not apply to law enforcement vehicles.
(c) Paragraph (a), clause (2), does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles.
Subd. 2. Windshield wiper. The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle.
Subd. 3. Defrosting requirement. No person shall drive any motor vehicle with the windshield or front side windows covered with steam or frost to such an extent as to prevent proper vision.
Subd. 4. Glazing material; prohibitions. A person must not drive or operate any motor vehicle required to be registered in the state of Minnesota upon any street or highway under the following conditions:
(1) when the windshield is composed of, covered by, or treated with any material which has the effect of making the windshield more reflective or in any other way reducing light transmittance through the windshield;
(2) when any window on the vehicle is composed of, covered by, or treated with any material that has a highly reflective or mirrored appearance;
(3) when any side window or rear window is composed of or treated with any material so as to obstruct or substantially reduce the driver's clear view through the window or has a light transmittance of less than 50 percent plus or minus three percent in the visible light range or a luminous reflectance of more than 20 percent plus or minus three percent; or
(4) when any material has been applied after August 1, 1985, to any motor vehicle window without an accompanying permanent marking which indicates the percent of transmittance and the percent of reflectance afforded by the material. The marking must be in a manner so as not to obscure vision and be readable when installed on the vehicle.
Subd. 4a. Glazing material; exceptions. (a) Subdivision 4 does not apply to glazing materials that:
(1) have not been modified since the original installation, nor to original replacement windows and windshields, that were originally installed or replaced in conformity with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205;
(2) are required to satisfy prescription or medical needs, provided:
(i) the vehicle's driver or a passenger possesses a prescription or a physician's statement of medical need;
(ii) the prescription or statement specifically states the minimum percentage that light transmittance may be reduced to satisfy the prescription or medical needs of the patient; and
(iii) the prescription or statement contains an expiration date, which must be no more than two years after the date the prescription or statement was issued; or
(3) are applied to:
(i) the rear windows of a pickup truck as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 26;
(ii) the rear windows or the side windows on either side behind the driver's seat of a van as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 40;
(iii) the side and rear windows of a vehicle used to transport human remains by a funeral establishment holding a license under section 149A.50;
(iv) the side and rear windows of a limousine as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 15; or
(v) the rear and side windows of a police vehicle.
(b) For the purposes of paragraph (a), clause (2), a driver of a vehicle may rely on a prescription or physician's statement of medical need issued to a person not present in the vehicle if:
(1) the prescription or physician's statement of medical need is issued to (i) the driver's parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or spouse, or (ii) a person for whom the driver is a personal care attendant;
(2) the prescription or physician's statement of medical need specifies the make, model, and license plate of one or two vehicles that will have tinted windows; and
(3) the driver is in possession of the prescription or physician's statement of medical need.
Subd. 5. Glazing material; prohibitions on sale. (a) No person shall sell or offer for sale or use on any motor vehicle, windows or windshields that are composed of, covered by, or treated with material that fails to comply with the provisions of subdivision 4. No person shall apply or offer to apply, as part of a business transaction, material to motor vehicle windows or windshields that fails to comply with the provisions of subdivision 4.
(b) Violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
(c) This subdivision does not apply to sale or offers for sale of a motor vehicle containing windows or windshields composed of, covered by, or treated with material that fails to comply with the provisions of subdivision 4.
(2720-260) 1937 c 464 s 110; 1939 c 430 s 21; 1947 c 428 s 30; 1953 c 745 s 4; 1959 c 174 s 1; 1959 c 521 s 11; 1961 c 34 s 1; 1971 c 491 s 26; 1974 c 428 s 5; 1983 c 234 s 1; 1987 c 71 s 2; 1988 c 636 s 10; 1991 c 301 s 7; 1993 c 26 s 10; 1997 c 215 s 44; 2005 c 136 art 8 s 2; 2008 c 186 s 1; 2008 c 235 s 2; 2009 c 59 art 5 s 5; 2010 c 304 s 1; 2010 c 351 s 32; 1Sp2019 c 3 art 3 s 59-61
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 160 - 174A — Transportation
Chapter 169 — Traffic Regulations
Section 169.011 — Definitions.
Section 169.022 — Uniform Application.
Section 169.025 — Application Of Motor Carrier Regulations.
Section 169.03 — Emergency Vehicles.
Section 169.035 — Exemptions; Applications.
Section 169.04 — Local Authority.
Section 169.042 — Towing; Notice To Victim Of Vehicle Theft.
Section 169.045 — Special Vehicle Use On Roadway.
Section 169.05 — Private Roadways.
Section 169.06 — Signs, Signals, Markings.
Section 169.07 — Unauthorized Sign, Signal, Or Marking.
Section 169.072 — Unauthorized Mailbox Installation.
Section 169.073 — Prohibited Light Or Signal.
Section 169.08 — Unlawful To Possess, Alter, Deface, Or Remove Sign.
Section 169.10 — Statistical Information.
Section 169.13 — Reckless Or Careless Driving.
Section 169.14 — Speed Limits, Zones; Radar.
Section 169.15 — Impeding Traffic; Intersection Gridlock.
Section 169.17 — Emergency Vehicle.
Section 169.18 — Driving Rules.
Section 169.19 — Turning, Starting, And Signaling.
Section 169.20 — Right-of-way.
Section 169.202 — Blind Person Carrying White Cane.
Section 169.212 — Operation Of Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices.
Section 169.215 — Crossing For Seniors Or Disabled Persons.
Section 169.2151 — Pedestrian Safety Crossings.
Section 169.219 — Public Service Announcements.
Section 169.22 — Hitchhiking; Solicitation Of Business.
Section 169.222 — Operation Of Bicycle.
Section 169.223 — Motorized Bicycle.
Section 169.224 — Neighborhood And Medium-speed Electric Vehicles.
Section 169.225 — Motorized Foot Scooter.
Section 169.26 — Special Stops At Railroad Crossing.
Section 169.28 — Certain Vehicles To Stop At Railroad Crossing.
Section 169.29 — Crossing Railroad Tracks With Certain Equipment.
Section 169.30 — Designation Of Through Highways.
Section 169.305 — Controlled-access Rules And Penalties.
Section 169.306 — Use Of Shoulders By Buses.
Section 169.31 — Stop At Sidewalk.
Section 169.315 — Opening And Closing Vehicle Door.
Section 169.37 — Obstructing View Of Driver.
Section 169.40 — Fire Truck; Fire Station.
Section 169.41 — Crossing Fire Hose.
Section 169.42 — Littering; Dropping Object On Vehicle; Misdemeanor.
Section 169.421 — Civil Liability For Littering.
Section 169.43 — Swinging Gate On Truck.
Section 169.32 — Stopping, Standing, And Parking.
Section 169.33 — Police May Move Vehicle.
Section 169.34 — Prohibitions; Stopping, Parking.
Section 169.342 — Good Samaritan; Exception To Stopping And Parking.
Section 169.345 — Parking Privilege For Physically Disabled.
Section 169.346 — Disability Parking Areas; Criteria, Enforcement.
Section 169.435 — Office Of Pupil Transportation Safety.
Section 169.441 — School Bus Identification.
Section 169.442 — School Bus Signals.
Section 169.443 — Safety Of School Children; Bus Driver's Duties.
Section 169.444 — Safety Of School Children; Duties Of Other Drivers.
Section 169.445 — Cooperation With Law Enforcement.
Section 169.446 — Safety Of School Children; Training And Education Rules.
Section 169.447 — School Bus And Head Start Bus Safety.
Section 169.4475 — Special Event School Bus Use.
Section 169.448 — Other Buses.
Section 169.449 — School Bus Operation.
Section 169.4501 — School Bus Equipment Standards.
Section 169.4502 — Additional Minnesota School Bus Chassis Standards.
Section 169.4503 — Additional Minnesota School Bus Body Standards.
Section 169.4504 — Additional Standards For Specially Equipped Bus.
Section 169.451 — Inspecting School And Head Start Buses; Rules; Misdemeanor.
Section 169.4511 — School Bus Accident And Subsequent Operation.
Section 169.454 — Type Iii Vehicle Standards.
Section 169.4581 — Criminal Conduct On School Bus.
Section 169.4582 — Reportable Offense On School Bus.
Section 169.46 — Hitching Behind Vehicle.
Section 169.467 — Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Definitions.
Section 169.468 — Vehicle Safety Rules; Federal Safety Standards.
Section 169.47 — Unsafe Equipment.
Section 169.471 — Television; Headphones.
Section 169.475 — Use Of Wireless Communications Device.
Section 169.48 — Vehicle Lighting.
Section 169.51 — Clearance And Marker Lamps.
Section 169.52 — Projecting Load; Light Or Flag.
Section 169.522 — Slow-moving Vehicle, Sign Required.
Section 169.53 — Lights For Parked Vehicles.
Section 169.541 — Lighting Exemption For Law Enforcement; Standards.
Section 169.55 — Lights On All Vehicles.
Section 169.56 — Auxiliary Lights.
Section 169.57 — Vehicle Signals.
Section 169.58 — Identification Lamps.
Section 169.59 — Warning Lights.
Section 169.60 — Distribution Of Light.
Section 169.61 — Composite Beam.
Section 169.62 — Certain Lights Permitted On Old Motor Vehicles.
Section 169.63 — Number Of Lamps.
Section 169.64 — Prohibited Lights; Exceptions.
Section 169.65 — Specifications For Lighting And Other Devices.
Section 169.66 — Hearing On Specifications.
Section 169.684 — Seat Belt; Declaration Of Policy.
Section 169.685 — Seat Belt; Passenger Restraint System For Children.
Section 169.686 — Seat Belt Use Required; Penalty.
Section 169.693 — Motor Vehicle Noise Limits.
Section 169.70 — Rear View Mirror.
Section 169.72 — Tire Surface; Metal Studs.
Section 169.721 — Unsafe Tires; Definitions.
Section 169.722 — Rules For Tire Safety.
Section 169.723 — Tires Considered Unsafe.
Section 169.724 — Prohibition; Operating Automobile With Unsafe Tires.
Section 169.726 — Automobile Sale Prohibited Unless Tires Are Safe.
Section 169.727 — Unsafe Tires; Misdemeanor.
Section 169.73 — Bumpers, Safeguards.
Section 169.733 — Wheel Flaps On Truck And Trailer.
Section 169.734 — Automobile Fenders.
Section 169.74 — Safety Glass.
Section 169.75 — Flares, Flags, Or Reflectors Required.
Section 169.751 — Definitions.
Section 169.752 — Patrol Motor Vehicles, First Aid Equipment.
Section 169.753 — Law Enforcement Officers Trained In First Aid.
Section 169.762 — Pressurized Flammable Gas.
Section 169.771 — Spot-check Of Motor Vehicle.
Section 169.781 — Annual Commercial Vehicle Inspection; Inspectors, Fee, Penalty.
Section 169.782 — Daily Commercial Vehicle Inspection; Penalty.
Section 169.783 — Commercial Vehicle Accident; Reinspection.
Section 169.79 — Vehicle Registration; Displaying License Plates.
Section 169.791 — Criminal Penalty For Failure To Produce Proof Of Insurance.
Section 169.792 — Revocation Of License For Failure To Produce Proof Of Insurance.
Section 169.793 — Vehicle Insurance; Unlawful Acts, Penalties.
Section 169.795 — Vehicle Insurance Rules.
Section 169.796 — Verification Of Insurance Coverage.
Section 169.797 — Penalties For Failure To Provide Vehicle Insurance.
Section 169.798 — Rules Of Commissioner Of Public Safety.
Section 169.7995 — Failure To Produce Rental Or Lease Agreement.
Section 169.80 — Size, Weight, Load.
Section 169.801 — Implement Of Husbandry.
Section 169.81 — Height And Length Limitations.
Section 169.812 — Escort Vehicles For Overdimensional Loads; Definitions; Requirements.
Section 169.82 — Trailer Equipment.
Section 169.822 — Weight Limitations; Definitions.
Section 169.823 — Tire Weight Limits.
Section 169.824 — Gross Weight Schedule.
Section 169.826 — Gross Weight Seasonal Increases.
Section 169.8261 — Gross Weight Limitations; Forest Products.
Section 169.827 — Gross Weight Reduction On Restricted Route.
Section 169.828 — Axle Restrictions.
Section 169.829 — Weight Limits Not Applicable To Certain Vehicles.
Section 169.8295 — Weight Limits; Vehicles Transporting Milk.
Section 169.84 — Load Limit On Bridge.
Section 169.85 — Weighing; Penalty.
Section 169.851 — Weight Record.
Section 169.86 — Special Permit To Exceed Height, Width, Or Load; Fees.
Section 169.862 — Permit For Baled Farm Product To Exceed Height Or Width.
Section 169.863 — Special Pulpwood Vehicle Permit.
Section 169.864 — Special Products Vehicle Permits.
Section 169.865 — Special Farm Products Permits.
Section 169.866 — Special Canola-hauling Vehicle Permit.
Section 169.8665 — Special Soybean Meal-hauling Vehicle Permit.
Section 169.868 — Special Freight Distribution Permit.
Section 169.869 — Road Construction Materials Special Permit.
Section 169.87 — Seasonal Load Restriction; Route Designation.
Section 169.871 — Excess Weight; Civil Penalty.
Section 169.872 — Receipt Of Certain Overweight Loads.
Section 169.88 — Damages; Liability.
Section 169.881 — Vehicle Platoons.
Section 169.891 — Jurisdiction; Limitation Of Actions.
Section 169.92 — Failure To Appear.
Section 169.93 — Arrest Without Warrant.
Section 169.94 — Record Of Conviction.
Section 169.95 — Court To Keep Separate Records Of Violations.
Section 169.96 — Interpretation And Effect.
Section 169.965 — University Regents To Regulate Traffic And Parking.
Section 169.966 — Board To Regulate Traffic On State Universities.
Section 169.97 — Citation; Highway Traffic Regulation Act.
Section 169.971 — Driver Improvement Clinics; Definitions.
Section 169.972 — Establishment Of Driver Improvement Clinic; Fees.
Section 169.973 — Regulation Of Clinic; Director.
Section 169.974 — Operation Of Motorcycle; Motor Scooter; Motor Bike.
Section 169.98 — Police, Patrol, Or Security Guard Vehicle.
Section 169.985 — Traffic Citation Quota Prohibited.
Section 169.99 — Uniform Traffic Ticket.
Section 169.999 — Administrative Citations For Certain Traffic Offenses.