Minnesota has its own state transportation laws that can vary from federal regulations. These state laws apply to everybody that operates a vehicle in Minnesota. Being aware of state laws and applying them are key to creating safe roadways. It’s important for you to understand how these laws affect you when trailering your horse around Minnesota.
Do you drive a commercial motor vehicle?
Commercial motor vehicles are defined as any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or combination of gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 10,001 pounds and meet one of the following.
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Is used in commerce or business-related activity
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Is placarded for hazardous materials
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Fits the definition of a bus
If you drive a commercial motor vehicle, you must follow the appropriate regulations for the location(s) you travel (i.e. interstate or intrastate).
If you’re not in commerce or operation of a commercial motor vehicle, you are only bound to state laws and potentially a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
When answering this question, you will use the GVW or GVWR whichever one is greater.
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Check your truck. Does the GVW or GVWR exceed 10,001 pounds?
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If yes, it could be a commercial motor vehicle.
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If no, continue to step 2.
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Check the combination of your truck and trailer. Does the combination of your truck’s GVW or GVWR and your trailer’s GVW or GVWR exceed 10,001 pounds?
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If yes, it could be a commercial motor vehicle.
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If no, it is not a commercial motor vehicle.
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Remember, weight only partly defines a commercial motor vehicle. You must also look at whether you are in commerce (or placarded for hazardous materials or meet the definition of bus).
Defining GVW and GVWR
Gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the actual weight of the vehicle with the load.
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the amount specified by the manufacturer as the maximum allowable weight of a vehicle. As the driver, you’re responsible for not exceeding the GVWR of your vehicle. Exceeding the GVWR is a safety risk because the manufacturer designed the vehicle to only withstand that much weight.
Where can you find the GVWR?
You can find your truck’s GVWR on the manufacturer’s label inside the driver’s door or door jamb.
For trailers, you can generally find the GVWR on the manufacturer’s label near the hitch. It may be on the side of the trailer or inside the neck on gooseneck trailers.
DO NOT use the registered weight on the vehicle license plate(s) to determine your GVW or GVWR.
Commerce refers to any business-related activity that you may use your vehicle and trailer for. By law, you are considered in commerce if any of the following apply to you.
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You declare prize money as income for a business for tax purposes
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If you win money at a horse show that you claim as normal income, it’s not business related.
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You deduct the costs for the underlying activities as a business expense for tax purposes
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This includes deducting your fuel, expenses for your vehicle, maintenance, motel receipts etc. as business portions.
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You accept products or money for advertising a sponsor
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If someone sponsors you to sell products like clothing or tack and you receive money for it, this is business-related.
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You are using the vehicle in furtherance of a commercial operation
If any of these cases applies to you and your truck or truck and trailer combined exceed a GVW or GVWR of 10,0001 pounds, you are driving a commercial motor vehicle.
The definition of a commercial motor vehicle applies to what you are using the vehicle for on a given day. Exemption is the occasional transport of your private property that’s not for commerce or furtherance of business.
For example, say you are a trainer and training horses is your business and livelihood. If you’re hauling horses to a show for clients and your truck and trailer weight exceeds 10,001 pounds, it is a commercial motor vehicle.
However, if you take the same truck and trailer to take your personal horses trail riding as a personal vacation, it’s not considered a commercial motor vehicle. As a vacation, nonbusiness-related trail ride, you are exempt for those days.
If you operate only in Minnesota and the vehicle’s or combination's GVW is greater than 10,000 pounds:
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Commercial motor vehicle drivers must be at least 18 and possess a valid USDOT physical card/form
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Hours of Service requirements apply
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Carrier must have a USDOT number if the power unit has a GVW / GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. The USDOT number must be displayed on power unit in addition to the carrier name.
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Record keeping requirements apply
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Accident recording requirements apply
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If the vehicle’s or combination's GVW is greater than 26,000 lbs:
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You must follow the above items, and
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CMV drivers must possess an appropriate Commercial Driver's License
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Drug and Alcohol requirements apply.
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Transport vehicle(s) must show proof of an Annual Inspection performed by a Minnesota Certified Inspector
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If you haul your horse outside of Minnesota, you must follow the laws of the state you are traveling in. Just as you would follow speed limit changes from one state to another, you also need to abide by all other state motor vehicle laws.
Interstate requirements for commercial motor vehicles
If you travel into another state, you are an “interstate” carrier. If the vehicle’s or combination’s GVW is greater than 10,000 pounds:
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Commercial motor vehicle drivers must be at least 21 and possess a valid USDOT physical card
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Equipment requirements apply
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Hours of Service requirements apply
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You must have a USDOT number and display it on the power unit (i.e. truck) in addition to the carrier name
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Transport vehicle(s) must carry proof of an annual inspection
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Record keeping requirements apply
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Accident recording requirements apply
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If the vehicle/combination's GVW is greater than 26,000 lbs:
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You must follow the above items
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CMV drivers must possess the proper class CDL
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Drug and Alcohol Testing requirements apply
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Do you need a CDL to haul your horses?
Even if your vehicle isn’t a commercial motor vehicle, you may still need a CDL to haul your horses. Take the following steps to determine if you need a CDL in Minnesota.
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Check your truck’s GVWR. Is it over 26,000 pounds?
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If yes, you need a CDL
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If no, continue to step 2.
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Check your trailer’s GVWR. Does the combination of the truck’s and trailer’s GVWR exceed 26,000 pounds?
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If yes, continue to step 3.
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If no, you don’t need a CDL.
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Check your trailer’s GVWR. Is it over 10,000 pounds?
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If yes, continue to step 4.
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If no, you don’t need a CDL.
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Does your trailer have living quarters or temporary living quarters?
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If yes, continue to step 5.
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If no, you need a CDL.
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Are you in commerce or use your truck and trailer for business-related reasons?
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If yes, you need a CDL.
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If no, you don’t need a CDL.
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In Minnesota, recreational vehicles (RV) are exempt from having a CDL. RV contain temporary human living quarters and are used strictly for recreation. Gooseneck horse trailers with living quarters meets the definition of RV and may be exempt from a CDL (step 4). To be exempt, the truck must have a GVWR below 26,000 pounds (step 1) and you must not be in commerce (step 5).
You can obtain a CDL by going to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The vehicle and tow unit you use during your test will reflect what you’re legally allowed to operate with your CDL. Your CDL will list your restrictions respectively.
Do you have to stop at weigh stations?
If your vehicle’s or combination’s GVWR exceeds 10,000 pounds you must stop at the weigh station. All drivers are subject to weigh stations in Minnesota. Most weigh stations will take your vehicle’s weight as you enter. Lights will further direct you through the weigh station. If your truck and trailer meet the regulations you will be sent through a bypass lane. If your truck and trailer fail to meet regulations you will be directed to further inspection.
Weigh station regulations will vary by state. Always follow the listed regulations at each weigh station. Some states may have RV exemptions for weight stations. When traveling out of Minnesota, it’s a good idea to have a hard copy of Minnesota’s definition of RV as it may differ out of state.
There are six operating weigh stations in Minnesota.
Brakes and hitch ratings on your trailer
Trailers with a GVW or GVWR of 3,000 pounds or more is required by Minnesota state law to have the following.
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Brakes adequate to stop and hold the vehicle
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A break-away system
You should attach tethers in a break-away system directly to the towing unit, not to the chains or hitch itself. Minnesota law requires safety chains adequate to hold the vehicle.
Be aware and follow the ratings of your hitching components including
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The hitch
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The receiver
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The ball
Reviewed in 2021