Minnesota Parking Lot Rules

The Hidden Danger of Parking Lots

For many drivers, parking lots feel like a break from real traffic. Speeds are low, distances are short, and the worst outcome seems like a scraped bumper. Unfortunately, that perception is exactly what makes them so dangerous.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), parking lots and garages account for over 50,000 crashes each year in the United States, resulting in at least 60,000 injuries. All told, one in five motor vehicle accidents happens in a parking lot. What causes all these crashes? Several factors, including:

• False sense of security: Drivers often let their guard down in parking lots. The slow speeds and mostly parked cars give drivers a false sense of security, leading to sloppy mistakes.
• Distracted driving: One NSC poll found that 66% of drivers admit to making phone calls while driving through a parking lot. More than half say they text. Nearly half say they are fine with taking photos or watching videos, all while driving.
• Parking lot layouts: The physical environment of a parking lot further increases the danger. Tight lanes, blind spots from large vehicles, and other cars zipping around can all lead to accidents.
• Pedestrians: Pedestrians often move freely through parking lots. Vehicles may not see them when backing up or taking blind turns. Pedestrians stepping out from between parked cars can also catch drivers off guard.
• Ignorance: Many drivers don’t know what laws apply in a parking lot. Some may view parking lots as an exception to traffic rules and may not be aware of the precautions they are required to take.

Minnesota Traffic Laws in Parking Lots

Most parking lots are private property. The lot belongs to whoever owns the building to which it is attached. However, Minnesota law extends traffic rules to private property that is open to public vehicular travel, which covers the vast majority of commercial parking lots. 

Generally speaking, Minnesota drivers are subject to the same traffic laws in a parking lot as they are on any public road. That includes:

• Right-of-way rules
• Posted speed limits
• Stop signs
• Distracted driving
• Handicap parking requirements

Violating those rules carries real consequences, and so does getting hit by someone who ignores them. Your license, registration, and insurance requirements apply too. Driving without them in a parking lot carries the same legal exposure as driving without them anywhere else.

Right-of-Way in a Parking LotRight-of-Way in a Parking Lot

Right-of-way rules are one area where parking lots have distinct rules worth knowing.

Through Lanes vs. Feeder Lanes

Most parking lots have two types of driving lanes:

• Through lanes, also called main or thoroughfare lanes, run along the perimeter of the lot and connect to the street.
• Feeder lanes are the smaller rows that run between parking spaces.

Through lanes always have the right of way. Drivers in feeder lanes must yield to traffic in through lanes before pulling out. Drivers exiting a parking space must yield to traffic in both directions.

Backing Out of a Space

Drivers backing out of a parking space must yield to all traffic in the lane behind them. That includes vehicles and pedestrians. The driver in the lane, whether in a feeder or through lane, has the right of way.

When two drivers back out of spaces on opposite sides of the same lane at the same time, the first to back up technically has the right-of-way. However, both drivers have a responsibility to ensure the path is clear before backing up.

Pedestrians

Pedestrians have the right of way over all vehicles in a parking lot. This rule applies in both marked crosswalks and general travel areas. Drivers must watch for pedestrians stepping out from between parked cars, especially near store entrances where foot traffic is heaviest.

Common Parking Lot Violations

Most parking lot violations fall under a few categories.

Failing to Yield

Right-of-way rules in parking lots are clear but widely ignored. Failing to yield as required is one of the leading causes of parking lot accidents. When this happens, the person who failed to yield will likely be held responsible for the crash.

Distracted Driving

Minnesota's hands-free law applies any time a vehicle is in motion, including in parking lots. Holding a phone while driving through a lot is always a violation. A vehicle is exempt from the law only when it is fully stopped in a location not designed for vehicular travel and not obstructing traffic.

Ignoring Stop Signs and Directional Arrows

Stop signs and one-way directional markings in parking lots must be followed. Ignoring them can result in a citation, and it's also one of the more common causes of parking lot accidents. Failing to follow posted signs can lead to being found at fault if a crash occurs.

Speeding

Posted speed limits in parking lots must be followed. Where no limit is posted, drivers are still expected to travel at a speed that is safe for the conditions, which, in a busy parking lot, is generally well under 15 mph. In a parking lot as much as anywhere else, speeding is never worth the risk.

Parking in Driving Lanes

Parking in a driving lane to wait for a space, drop someone off, or run a quick errand blocks traffic and creates hazards. It is prohibited, and if it leads to an accident, it will likely affect who is found at fault.

Blocking Fire Lanes

Fire lanes exist so emergency vehicles can reach a building quickly. Parking in a fire lane, even briefly, can block access when seconds matter. Violations can result in a citation and towing.

Handicap Parking Violations

Under Minnesota law, parking in a space designated for people with disabilities without a valid disability plate or certificate is a misdemeanor. This law applies to both public and private property, meaning law enforcement can ticket violators in any parking lot.

Who Is at Fault in a Parking Lot Accident?

Minnesota is a no-fault state. After an accident, your own insurance covers initial medical costs and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. But fault still matters. If you need to step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury claim against the other driver, you will have to establish that the accident was primarily their fault.

Backing Into a Moving Vehicle

Drivers backing out of a parking space must yield to traffic in the lane. If a driver backs into a vehicle that was already moving through the lane, the reversing driver is typically at fault.

Pulling Out of a Feeder Lane into a Through Lane

Drivers in feeder lanes must yield to traffic in through lanes. A driver who pulls out of a feeder lane and collides with a vehicle in the through lane will generally be found at fault.

Left Turns into a Parking Space

A driver turning left across oncoming traffic to pull into a space must yield to vehicles coming from the opposite direction. If a collision occurs, the turning driver is typically at fault.

Two Cars Backing Out Simultaneously

When two drivers back out of spaces on opposite sides of the same lane at the same time and collide, fault is often shared. Both had a duty to make sure the path was clear before reversing.

Hitting a Parked Car

A driver who hits a legally parked car is almost always at fault. The parked vehicle is not responsible for avoiding the collision. If you hit a parked car and the owner is not present, you must leave your contact information. Failing to do so could be considered a hit-and-run.

When the Property Owner May Be Liable

Not every parking lot accident is solely the fault of the drivers involved. In some cases, the property owner bears responsibility, too.

In Minnesota, property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. When they fail to do so, and someone gets hurt, they can be held liable under premises liability law. Common examples in parking lots include:

• Potholes, cracked pavement, or uneven surfaces
• Poor or inadequate lighting
• Unmarked hazards or missing signage
• Ice and snow that has not been cleared in a reasonable time
• Poorly designed lanes or blind spots created by the lot's layout

To hold a property owner liable, the injured person generally needs to show that the owner knew about the hazard, or should have known about it, and failed to fix it or warn visitors. This legal action can be pursued alongside a claim against the other driver.