Every Minnesota driver is expected to use due care when operating a vehicle. This means, among other things, obeying all posted speed limits. A driver who exceeds the speed limit can be pulled over and fined.
Speed limits in Minnesota
Speed limits are usually designated by traffic signs. If no speed limit is posted, these are the lawful speeds at which to drive:
- 30 mph in an urban area or on a town road in a rural residential district
- 65 mph on non-interstate freeways and expressways
- 70 mph on interstate highways outside the limits of any urbanized area with a population greater than 50,000
- 65 mph on interstate highways inside the limits of any urbanized area with a population greater than 50,000
- 10 mph in alleys
- 55 mph in locations other than those specified above
Minnesota Speeding Penalties
The basic fines for speeding in Minnesota depend on how far over the limit the driver was speeding.
- The basic fine for speeding in Minnesota is $145
- For a car going more than 20 mph over the posted limit, the ticket is $212
- The fine for speeding in a work or school zone is $212
A ticket that is not paid within 21 days of issue will be increased by $5. Speeding fines can also be combined with other fines, such as careless driving, or seat-belt violations. Tickets can amount to more than $400 in the most severe cases. A person who drives faster than 100 miles per hour will also have their license revoked for at least six months.
Penalties for speeding violations increase as more speeding tickets are issued. A person’s driver’s license will be suspended for:
- 30 days, if the person is convicted of:
- Four traffic offenses within a 12-month period
- Five traffic offenses within a 24-month period
- 90 days, if the person is convicted of:
- Five traffic offenses within a 12-month period
- Six traffic offenses within a 24-month period
- 180 days, if the person is convicted of seven traffic offenses within a 24-month period
- One year, if the person is convicted of eight or more traffic offenses within a 24-month period
Minnesota Speeding Attorney
In all Minnesota speeding cases, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution to prove that the defendant broke the law by exceeding the speed limit. There are a number of possible ways to defend speeding violations. Perhaps the officer’s radar was improperly operated and gave an inaccurate result, or maybe the officer did not have sufficient training to use the radar gun. A Minnesota traffic attorney can analyze your case and partner with you to craft a strategy for successful defense and keep your speeding violations off of your permanent record.
