‘Mailbox Ticket’ Arrives: Minnesota’s Speed Cameras Explained
BY MN CRIME STAFF
For decades, Minnesota drivers knew that to get a speeding ticket, they had to be pulled over by a squad car.
In late 2025, that rule effectively vanished in certain zones.
Following the legislative authorization of the "Traffic Safety Camera Pilot Program," automated enforcement cameras are now live in Minneapolis and authorized for Mendota Heights and state highway work zones. Unlike the controversial "red light cameras" of the early 2000s (which were ruled unconstitutional in State v. Kuhlman), this new system was built with specific legal guardrails to survive court challenges.
Where Are They?
Contrary to rumors on social media, these cameras are not everywhere. The pilot program is strictly limited to specific high-risk areas.
Minneapolis: Cameras went live Oct. 1, 2025, at five specific intersections including Nicollet Ave. S. & 46th St. W. and Broadway Ave. N. & Fremont Ave. N.
Mendota Heights: Authorized to enforce speed limits in designated zones.
MnDOT Work Zones: The state is authorized to place mobile camera units in active highway construction zones (e.g., I-94 or Hwy. 10 projects) when workers are present.
Saint Paul is not currently part of the pilot program as of publication. If you see a camera flash in Saint Paul, it is not issuing a state speed citation.
> Sign up for the MN CRIME newsletter
Owner Liability vs. Driver Liability
The biggest legal shift is who gets charged. The law creates a distinction between a "crime" and a "civil penalty."
The Trooper Ticket (Traditional): Issued to the driver. Goes on your driving record. Affects insurance rates. Points are assessed.
The Camera Ticket (Pilot): Issued to the vehicle owner. Treated legally like a parking ticket.
Fine: $40 (for 10-19 mph over) or $80 (for 20+ mph over).
First Violation: By law, the first violation for any vehicle owner must be a warning only.
No Record: It does not go on your driving record.
No Insurance Impact: State law prohibits insurance companies from using these citations to raise your premiums.
The "Not Me" Defense
Because the camera photographs the rear license plate (and is legally prohibited from capturing the driver’s face), the registered owner is presumed liable.
However, you can contest the ticket. The law provides an affirmative defense if the owner files a sworn statement (affidavit) stating they were not driving the vehicle at the time.
The Catch: In some jurisdictions, you may be asked to identify who was driving, though the primary burden is simply certifying that you were not the operator.
Stolen Vehicles: Owners are also exempt if they can produce a police report showing the vehicle was reported stolen before the violation occurred.
Why It Matters: If you lend your car to a friend and they speed through a construction zone on I-35W, you will get the bill in the mail two weeks later. While it won't wreck your insurance, it will cost you $40—and an awkward conversation.
> See more of our latest coverage
Follow on X or YouTube for more
> Help make MN safer with real-time alerts, LIVE video, 24/7 Safety Agents & much more: Download Citizen now
