Minnesota Driver License: Belts, Child Seats, Crashes, Insurance and Losing Your License

28 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Belts, Child Seats, Crashes, Insurance and Losing Your License. Free, no account needed.

1. A driver is in a crash while not wearing a seat belt. How much greater is their chance of death or injury compared to being belted?

Two times greater
Five times greater
Three times greater
Four times greater

Answer: D — Four times greater

An unbelted occupant's risk of death or injury is four times greater than a belted one.

2. At what speed can an unbelted occupant already die in a crash?

5 mph
12 mph
30 mph
20 mph

Answer: B — 12 mph

Death can occur at speeds as low as 12 mph without a seat belt.

3. Which of these drivers is exempt from the seat belt requirement?

A passenger in the front seat of a 2010 sedan
A rural mail carrier delivering mail
A driver who simply finds belts uncomfortable
A driver cruising at 40 mph on a highway

Answer: B — A rural mail carrier delivering mail

Rural mail carriers are one of the specific listed exemptions from the seat belt law.

4. How should a lap belt be worn?

Snug across the hipbones or upper thighs
Loose across the waist
Snug across the abdomen
Across the neck and chest only

Answer: A — Snug across the hipbones or upper thighs

The lap belt should sit snug across the hipbones or upper thighs, never the abdomen.

5. A one-year-old is riding in a car. How must the child be seated?

Rear-facing until outgrowing the seat's height or weight limit
Forward-facing in the back seat
Forward-facing in the front seat
In a booster seat with the belt

Answer: A — Rear-facing until outgrowing the seat's height or weight limit

A child under 2 must ride rear-facing until outgrowing the seat's height or weight limit.

6. A 6-year-old has outgrown their forward-facing car seat but is not yet old enough or big enough for a seat belt alone. What should they use?

No restraint, since they outgrew the car seat
A rear-facing seat
A booster seat with the belt
The seat belt alone

Answer: C — A booster seat with the belt

A child aged 4 to 9 who has outgrown the car seat uses a booster with the belt.

7. A child car seat was manufactured seven years ago, has never been in a crash, and has no different date stamped on it. Can it still legally be used?

No, seats expire after five years regardless of stamping
Yes, as long as it has never been in a crash
Yes, seats never expire if undamaged
No, seats expire six years from manufacture unless stamped otherwise

Answer: D — No, seats expire six years from manufacture unless stamped otherwise

Seats expire six years from manufacture unless a different date is stamped on them.

8. A family is driving with their 12-year-old and a front passenger seat is available. Where should the 12-year-old ride?

Either seat is fine at that age
In the back seat, since children under 13 must ride there when available
In the cargo area if the vehicle has one
In the front seat, since 12-year-olds are old enough

Answer: B — In the back seat, since children under 13 must ride there when available

Children under 13 must ride in the back seat when one is available.

9. Where should a rear-facing child seat never be installed?

In the middle seating position
In the back seat
In front of an active airbag
Behind the driver's seat

Answer: C — In front of an active airbag

A rear-facing seat must never be placed in front of an active airbag.

10. On a hot afternoon, a driver wants to leave their dog in the car with the windows cracked while running into a store for a few minutes. Is this acceptable?

Yes, for stops under 10 minutes
No, pets should not be left in a vehicle on hot or cold days
Yes, if the engine is left running with the AC on
Yes, as long as the windows are cracked

Answer: B — No, pets should not be left in a vehicle on hot or cold days

Pets should not be left in a vehicle on hot or cold days.

11. How much space should a driver keep between themselves and the steering wheel because of the airbag?

10 inches
5 inches
15 inches
20 inches

Answer: A — 10 inches

At least 10 inches should be kept between the driver and the steering wheel.

12. A driver flicks a lit cigarette out the car window onto the road. Is this legal?

Yes, cigarettes are exempt from litter rules
No, throwing anything from a vehicle onto a road is illegal
Yes, as long as no other vehicles are nearby
Yes, only fireworks and glass are prohibited

Answer: B — No, throwing anything from a vehicle onto a road is illegal

Throwing anything from a vehicle onto a road or land, including cigarettes, is illegal.

13. After a crash, where should a driver stop their vehicle if possible?

Wherever is most convenient
On the shoulder
Only at the nearest exit ramp
In their current lane to mark the scene

Answer: B — On the shoulder

A driver should stop, pulling onto the shoulder if possible.

14. A driver in a crash does not have their insurance information with them at the scene. Within how long must they give it to the investigating officer?

7 days
48 hours
24 hours
72 hours

Answer: D — 72 hours

Insurance information must be provided within 72 hours if not available at the scene.

15. Two cars collide with only minor vehicle damage and no injuries. Must this crash be reported to law enforcement?

Yes, all crashes must be reported
Only if an insurance company requests it
No, a property-damage-only crash need not be reported
Only if damage exceeds $1,000

Answer: C — No, a property-damage-only crash need not be reported

A property-damage-only crash need not be reported to law enforcement.

16. Why should a driver turn off the ignition immediately after a crash?

To preserve evidence for police
To prevent the vehicle from rolling away
To cut fire risk
Because insurance requires it

Answer: C — To cut fire risk

Turning off the ignition after a crash cuts fire risk.

17. What insurance coverage must an owner carry on a vehicle driven on public roads?

Liability only
No-fault only
No-fault and liability
Comprehensive only

Answer: C — No-fault and liability

Owners must carry both no-fault and liability insurance.

18. A driver's license was revoked for lack of insurance. Besides paying any court fines, what else must they do to reinstate it?

Pass the written test and pay a $30 reinstatement fee
Pass only the road test
Wait one full year automatically
Pay a $275 surcharge

Answer: A — Pass the written test and pay a $30 reinstatement fee

Reinstatement requires passing the written test and paying a $30 fee, plus court fines, a new license application, and an insurance certificate.

19. A driver is convicted of operating an uninsured vehicle. What penalties can they face?

A flat $275 fine only
Automatic permanent revocation with no reinstatement
A $30 fine only
A fine up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail

Answer: D — A fine up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail

Conviction for driving uninsured can bring a fine up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.

20. A person moves to Minnesota with their vehicle. Within how many days must they register it?

90 days
30 days
60 days
45 days

Answer: C — 60 days

A new resident must register their vehicle within 60 days.

21. A driver is stopped at a red light and wants to read a text message. Is this allowed?

No, the ban applies even while stopped in traffic
Yes, if it takes less than 10 seconds
Yes, for a single message
Yes, since the vehicle isn't moving

Answer: A — No, the ban applies even while stopped in traffic

The ban on reading messages applies even while stopped in traffic.

22. Which use of a wireless device while driving is allowed?

Composing a text at a stop sign
Reading an email at highway speed
Voice-activated or hands-free use
Browsing the internet while stopped in traffic

Answer: C — Voice-activated or hands-free use

Voice-activated or hands-free use is one of the listed exceptions.

23. A 17-year-old with a provisional license wants to make a hands-free call while driving. Is this permitted?

Yes, if a parent is present in the car
No, drivers under 18 with a permit or provisional license may not use a phone at all except to call 911
Yes, hands-free use is always allowed
Yes, but only for local calls

Answer: B — No, drivers under 18 with a permit or provisional license may not use a phone at all except to call 911

Drivers under 18 with a permit or provisional license may not use a phone at all except to call 911.

24. A driver fails to stop for a school bus. They were convicted of the same offense three years ago. What license action can this trigger?

Cancellation
A limited license
Suspension
No action, since license actions only apply after three violations

Answer: C — Suspension

Failing to stop for a school bus within five years of a prior conviction can bring suspension.

25. A driver is caught traveling 105 mph. What license action can this trigger?

Cancellation
Suspension
Revocation
A limited license only

Answer: C — Revocation

Driving over 100 mph is listed as grounds for revocation.

26. A driver whose license was revoked needs to keep traveling to their job during the revocation period. What can allow them limited driving?

A temporary permit valid only on weekends
Automatic reinstatement after 30 days
A limited license
A hardship exemption with no application

Answer: C — A limited license

A limited license may be issued to a suspended or revoked driver for travel to work, among other needs.

27. A driver's license application is later found to contain false or misleading information. What happens to the license?

Suspension for one year
Revocation for 90 days
A $275 fine only, with no license action
Cancellation for 60 days or until corrected, whichever is longer

Answer: D — Cancellation for 60 days or until corrected, whichever is longer

False or misleading application information brings cancellation for 60 days or until corrected, whichever is longer.

28. A driver refuses to take an alcohol test after being stopped by police. What license action follows?

Suspension
A limited license is automatically issued instead
Cancellation
Revocation

Answer: D — Revocation

Refusing or failing an alcohol or drug test is grounds for revocation.