Q: I will be traveling to Minnesota in a few weeks, can I use studded tires in your state?

A: According to Minnesota State Statute 169.72, “Every solid rubber tire on a vehicle must have rubber on its entire traction surface at least one inch thick above the edge of the flange of the entire periphery. No person shall operate or move on any highway any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, having any metal tire in contact with the roadway, except in case of emergency.”

An exemption includes the occasional use of studded tires by nonresidents under the following conditions:

A person whose regular place of employment is within the state or who is a student at an educational institution located within the state shall not operate a vehicle, regardless of its place of registration, upon any highway within the state if such vehicle is equipped with tires which would be unauthorized were the vehicle registered in this state. You can avoid a ticket - and a crash - if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober.

Send your questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota to trooper@duluthnews.com or Sgt. Neil Dickenson – Minnesota State Patrol at 1131 Mesaba Ave., Duluth, MN 55811 . You can follow him on Twitter @MSPPIO_NE or reach him at neil.dickenson@state.mn.us .