Minnesota Truck Mud Flap Law
Nine inches, measured empty. Minnesota is one of the stricter states: rear flaps must sit within 9 inches of the ground when the truck is unladen and be at least as wide as the tires they cover (Minn. Stat. 169.733). Dump rigs with a rear conveyor get 18 inches loaded. A short or missing flap is a petty-misdemeanor fix-it ticket, not out-of-service, and CVSA's 2025 note says rubber touching a tire isn't OOS. Troopers measure empty, so a rig that clears loaded can fail.
What Minnesota makes you run
Nine inches, measured empty. Minnesota is one of the stricter states: rear flaps must sit within 9 inches of the ground when the truck is unladen and be at least as wide as the tires they cover (Minn. Stat. 169.733). Dump rigs with a rear conveyor get 18 inches loaded. A short or missing flap is a petty-misdemeanor fix-it ticket, not out-of-service, and CVSA's 2025 note says rubber touching a tire isn't OOS. Troopers measure empty, so a rig that clears loaded can fail.
Coverage and clearance
- Required: Yes
- Coverage: At least as wide as the tires they protect (Minn. Stat. 169.733). Dual tires must be fully covered.
- Ground clearance: Within 9 inches of the ground when the vehicle is empty (Minn. Stat. 169.733). Dump/conveyor trucks get 18 inches when loaded; a bottom-dump center flap must be 6 inches or less when fully loaded. If the rear wheels aren't covered on top by fenders or the body, the flap must reach a point directly above the center of the rearmost axle.
- Fine: Petty misdemeanor equipment violation; fine up to $300 plus surcharge, commonly written as a correctable fix-it citation (Minn. Stat. 169.733; 169.89).
Minnesota Mud Flap FAQ
Are mud flaps required on trucks in Minnesota?
How low can mud flaps hang in Minnesota?
What is the mud-flap fine in Minnesota?
Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/169.733. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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