“ASK A TROOPER” by Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol

Question: I got a question about these pickups with their wide tires sticking outside of the fender wells, isn’t that illegal? I always thought there were supposed to be fenders? I know they throw a lot of rocks around. I don’t think that’s right.

Answer: Minnesota law states that all passenger vehicles shall have fenders, or other devices, that are designed to prevent, as far as practicable, water, dirt or other material being thrown up and to the rear by the wheels of the vehicle.

For the tires sticking outside of the fenders the vehicle would need to be equipped with fender flares. The fender flares would need to match the width of the tires sticking out.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205.  (You can follow him on Twitter @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at, jesse.grabow@state.mn.us).