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

Question: Last week, I noticed a truck with a snowplow blade on it, it took up the whole traffic lane, it was not a Minnesota Department of Transportation truck.  What is the legal length allowed for a snow blade?

Answer:  The maximum legal width is 8 feet 6 inches in Minnesota.  Snow plows start at widths of 6 ½ feet for smaller pickups and go up to 9 and 10 foot wide plows for dump trucks.  The most common size plow if 7 feet and 6 inches.  If you are over 8 feet 6 inches you can apply for a permit through the state.  The permit will allow you to transport the plow on the roadway.

You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.

A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. 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).