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Minnesota trucking rules

Fees, CDL costs, weight and size limits, chain laws and new bills for truckers and trucking companies in Minnesota. Updated 2026-10-22.

Must-know rules · Weight, oversize & chains · Fees · Bills

Must-know rules

Minnesota's biggest hazmat trap is the Lowry Hill Tunnel on I-94 in Minneapolis, which placarded vehicles cannot use. The state also has no statewide idling rule, but Minneapolis enforces a strict 5-minute diesel limit. I could not confirm chain or traction rules, weigh station or port-of-entry rules, or a weight-distance tax from official pages, so those topics are left out.

Researched by our AI agent from the linked sources on 2026-10-21. Always confirm with the source.

• Must knowCDL holders and speeding tickets

  The Dimler amendment limits on recording some speeding violations do not apply if the violation happened in a commercial motor vehicle or the driver holds a commercial license. The statute also says a violation by a Class A, B or C CDL holder counts whether it happened in a commercial vehicle or another vehicle.

  Minnesota Speed Limits - MN House Research
• Must knowLegal size and weight (no permit needed)

  Legal limits are 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, 45' for a single vehicle, 75' for a combination, and 80,000 lbs. A MnDOT permit is not valid on county, municipal, township or other local roads.

  Oversized, Overweight Vehicles: Single Trip Permit, Job Permit, and Annual Permit - MN.gov

Weight limits, oversize permits and chain laws

Our agent is still researching Minnesota's weight, size and chain rules. Check back soon.

Fees and DOT requirements

Minnesota's CDL fees are modest ($57 for a new Class B and $65 for a new Class A). Registration is the big cost. It is a weight-based tax that runs from about $360 for a 26,001 lb straight truck to about $1,760 for an 80,000 lb tractor-trailer. I could not confirm a weight-distance tax or an emissions program from official sources, so those are left out. Intrastate for-hire property carriers need a no-fee MnDOT Certificate of Registration with a Form E insurance filing.

Class B CDL

$57 for 4 years (about $14.25 a year)
Renewal is $52. The commercial learner's permit (CLP) is $26.75. Each endorsement exam costs $2.50. A third or later written test (after failing two) is $10, and a third or later road test is $20. The fee page does not list a separate skills-test fee. Under-21 licenses expire on the 21st birthday. Source

Class A CDL

$65 for 4 years (about $16.25 a year)
Renewal is $60. Under age 21 the fee is $45, and the renewal is $40. The CLP is $26.75. Each endorsement exam costs $2.50. Retest fees after two failed attempts are $10 for the written test and $20 for the road test. The CDL Class A is valid for four years and can be renewed. Source

Registration, 26,001 lb straight truck

$360 a year Source

Registration, 80,000 lb combination

$1,760 a year Source

How registration is figured

The tax on trucks and tractors is graduated by total gross weight under the Minnesota base rate schedule. A truck-tractor is taxed on the combined gross weight of the tractor and the semitrailer(s) it will pull. The tax is 100% of the base rate for the first eight years of vehicle life and 75% from
The 2026 DPS tax tables show weight class K (26,001-33,000 lb) at $360 and class T (78,001-80,000 lb) at $1,760 for model years 2020-2026. The same tables show $345 and $1,687 for 2019, and $270 and $1,320 for 2018 and older. The $1,760 figure is for a standard truck-tractor combination; six or more axles is $1,620. I did not verify plate, filing or other add-on fees, so they are not included. The Source

Intrastate operating authority

Motor Carrier of Property Certificate of Registration (MnDOT). one-time (permanent, subject to maintaining the insurance fi.
For-hire motor carriers must obtain Minnesota operating authority unless exempted. The state e-license index lists no fee, and the authority is permanent as long as the insurance filing is maintained. You also submit a workers' compensation compliance form. Your insurer must file a Form E with MnDOT for $100,000/$300,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage. Some third-party sources cite $ Source

State DOT requirements

• Must knowUSDOT number for intrastate carriers

  MnDOT says motor carriers of property and passengers that provide transportation within Minnesota must have a USDOT number. Owners of trucks over 10,000 lb must report their USDOT number when registering. This applies to all intrastate for-hire carriers regardless of vehicle weight, and to intrastate private carriers with vehicles over 10,000 lb. I found no separate Minnesota-issued DOT number for trucks; the Certificate of Registration is the state credential.

  Minnesota Trucking Regulations Section 15: USDOT Number & Vehicle Identification Requirements (also https://www.dot.state.mn.us/cvo/motor-carrier-property.html)

See all 4 DOT requirements with full access

Fees change; confirm with the linked state source. Compare all states.

New Minnesota trucking bills

No new trucking bills found here recently. The agent checks every morning.