In The News

Minnesota judge rules state-run rest stops non essential

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota judge says state-run highway rest stops that were closed in the July 1 shutdown should remain closed because they're not a core function of government.

Ditto for license credentialing services, which enable drivers to renew their CDLs, among other things.

Ramsey County Judge Kathleen Gearin made the ruling Monday, agreeing with a special master who was appointed to review funding requests amid the government closure. The Minnesota Trucking Association had argued the rest stops should be open to make sure truckers get the amount of rest required by law.

Special master Kathleen Blatz acknowledged that the shutdown adversely affects commercial truck drivers but said rest stops still can't be considered a core function of government.

That means for the duration of the shutdown truckers will continue to find public rest areas closed and drivers will be unable to renew CDLs or will they be able to get verification services if they are stopped by law enforcement on the road and there is a question about credentialing. 

The shutdown makes an already recognized problem for the industry incredibly more serious, MTA President John Hausladen testified July 5 before Blatz. “Truck drivers who run out of hours, but can’t be accommodated at a private stop, will have to make one of two illegal choices: they can drive in excess of their allowable hours to find an acceptable parking spot, or they can park on shoulders and ramps, creating a hazard for other motorists.”

The MTA also contended that the state is in violation of contracts with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

“We believe the state is bound to fulfill obligations such as roadside inspections, maintaining the CDL information system (CDLIS) and conducting new entrant audits,” Hausladen said Wednesday morning. “We sought to build the case that the back office functions of the Department of Public Safety driver and vehicle services division are critical to keeping all our credential services accurate and flowing.”

Lyndon Finney of The Trucker staff may be contacted to comment at [email protected] .

www.theTrucker.com