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Ask a Trooper by Troy Christianson

Question: I’ve never really paid attention but I know that I have a class D driver’s license, but what is that good for?

Answer: Your driver’s license allows you to drive a motor vehicle on public streets and highways. You must carry your license with you at all times when you are driving a motor vehicle.

You must have the appropriate class of license and endorsement for the type of vehicle you are driving. Information about your license, class and any endorsements or restrictions will be listed on the back of your driver’s license. There are four classes of driver’s licenses and several endorsements available to Minnesota drivers.

The “Class D” is the most common license for Minnesota drivers. If you have a Class D driver’s license, you may operate:

• All single-unit vehicles (cars, pickup and small trucks) except those with a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more, vehicles designed to carry more than 15 passengers (including the driver) and vehicles that carry hazardous materials.

• Any farm truck transporting agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies (including hazardous materials), within 150 miles of the farm. The farm truck must be operated by the farmer, his or her immediate family member, or an employee of the farmer.

• Authorized emergency vehicles, whether or not in excess of 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

• Recreational vehicles (motor homes and camping trailers), operated for your personal use.

• Motorized bicycles.

• Motorcycles, with the appropriate license endorsement.

• Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs).

• Autocycles.

You may also tow a trailer or other vehicle if:

• It has a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less, or

• It has a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds, but the combined gross vehicle weight of the vehicle and trailer is 26,000 pounds or less.

You must have an endorsement on your license in order to drive motorcycles, buses, school buses, double and triple trailers, tank vehicles and if you carry hazardous materials. All endorsements require additional written tests. Bus, school bus and motorcycle endorsements require specialized road tests.

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.

If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, at 2900 48th St. NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848; or reach him at Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.

Troy Christianson is a sergeant with the Minnesota State Patrol.