Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Truck Platooning

Standard terms and requirements

Approval or denial of plans

MnDOT may grant or deny platoon plans. Plans may include conditions and restrictions to ensure public safety, minimize congestion, or prevent undue damage to roads or structures.

Platooning system

Each vehicle in the vehicle platoon must have a platooning system installed. While platooning, each vehicle must have the platooning system engaged.

State law

Platooning must be in compliance with state statues and all applicable laws.

Human operator required

Each vehicle in the vehicle platoon must have a human driver licensed to operate the vehicle.

Reasonable access

a vehicle platoon must allow reasonable access for the movement of other motor vehicles to change lanes and enter or exit the roadway.

Paper copy of plan required in vehicle

A paper or electronic copy of the approved plan must be kept in each vehicle of the vehicle platoon.

Review and approval

Plans will be reviewed within 60 days. Failure to obtain an approved plan does not constitute approval.

Violations

Each vehicle and each driver within the vehicle platoon must comply with all applicable traffic laws under this chapter. Each driver and each vehicle within the vehicle platoon must comply with any lawful order or direction of any peace officer.

Collision reporting; remain on scene

In the event of a collision, all drivers of all vehicles within a vehicle platoon must immediately stop the vehicles at the scene of a collision, or as close to the scene as possible. All drivers must remain on the scene and must comply with collision reporting requirements as otherwise required by law. In the event of a collision, drivers or owners of vehicles with a platooning system must submit information on whether the platooning system was engaged at the time of the collision.

Valid for one year

If approved, the plan is valid for one year from the date of approval.