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Commercial vehicles: Roadside inspections

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The State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Section inspects commercial motor vehicles throughout Minnesota. Inspections happen at weigh stations and other roadside locations. Our staff examine the drivers and vehicles for compliance with state statutes and federal regulations. These regulations include driver qualifications, hours-of-service, vehicle equipment and load securement.  

The Commercial Vehicle Section teams up with other law enforcement agencies to carry out safety initiatives for commercial vehicle operations. 

We create inspection reports during the inspection process. These document the inspection and identify any violations discovered. We give a copy of the report to the driver. We also submit an electronic report to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program uses data from these inspection reports to improve safety and prevent commercial motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities. 

Since the CSA program is data-driven, the accuracy of roadside inspections is very important. Drivers or carriers who identify errors on their inspection reports are encouraged to challenge the accuracy of the inspection. You can do this through FMCSA’s DataQ system. When we receive a challenge, we review the challenge, investigate the circumstances and issue a decision. For more information on Minnesota State Patrol’s comprehensive review process, please read the DataQ Review Program document

Covered farm vehicles inspections 

Covered farm vehicles are only subject to inspection by enforcement personnel if there is probable cause that the vehicle or its equipment is unsafe, or if illegal activity is suspected. Covered farm vehicles can still be stopped, but will be allowed to proceed without inspection if there is no probable cause. 

Several other exemptions are granted to farm and ranch owners operating certain covered farm vehicles. A covered farm vehicle (CFV) means a single unit or articulated commercial motor vehicle that meets the following criteria: 

A covered farm vehicle means a single unit or articulated commercial motor vehicle that meets the following criteria:  

  • Displays a farm license plate or other designation* issued by a state   
  • Is operated by a farmer, or a family member or employee of the farmer  
  • Transports agricultural commodities, livestock, machinery or supplies to or from a farm  
  • Is not used in for-hire carrier operations  
  • Does not transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring the vehicle to display placards  
  • When the gross vehicle weight (GVW) is 26,001 pounds or less, is operated anywhere in the United States  
  • When the GVW is greater than 26,001 pounds, is operated wholly within its state of registry, or when crossing state lines, is operated within 150 miles of the farm  

*Note: Vehicles displaying Minnesota apportioned, truck class or passenger class license plates, and meeting all other qualifications for a CFV, may complete, print and carry a CFV self-designation form. The form must be carried in the vehicle and displayed upon demand by enforcement personnel.

  • Commercial Driver’s License (49 CFR 383) 
  • Physical qualifications and examinations (49 CFR 391, Subpart E) 
  • Hours-of-service of drivers (49 CFR 395) 
  • Inspection, repair, and maintenance (49 CFR 396) 

Policies related to commercial vehicle enforcement 

Forms 

Pamphlets