Most people have no idea these laws still exist. Seriously. But in Minnesota, blue laws are still on the books, and they affect what you can buy on Sundays. Let’s break down exactly what you need to know.
What Are Blue Laws?
Blue laws are old rules that restrict certain activities on Sundays. They got their start way back in colonial times. The idea was to keep Sunday as a day of rest and worship.
Think of them like this. Back in the 1600s, people wanted everyone to observe the Sabbath. So they made laws that banned all kinds of Sunday activities. Working, shopping, even making noise could get you in trouble.
Pretty strict, right?
Most states got rid of these laws over time. But Minnesota still has a few blue laws hanging around. They don’t affect everything anymore. But they do impact two specific things you might want to buy on a Sunday.
The Current Blue Laws in Minnesota
Car Dealerships Must Close
Here’s the big one. You cannot buy a car from a dealership on Sunday in Minnesota. Not just some dealerships. All of them.
This law has been around since 1957. It makes selling a car on Sunday a criminal offense. First time? That’s a misdemeanor. Do it again? You’re looking at a gross misdemeanor.
Wait, it gets interesting. You can walk around a dealership lot on Sunday. Look at cars all you want. Take pictures. Write down prices. But you can’t actually buy one or even talk to a salesperson because they’re not allowed to be open.
The law applies to new and used vehicles. It covers buying, selling, exchanging, or trading cars. Basically, if it’s a motor vehicle and you want to get it from a dealer, Monday through Saturday are your only options.
Wondering if this applies to you? If you’re planning to buy a car in Minnesota, yes. Every single car dealership in the state must be closed on Sundays. No exceptions.
Limited Alcohol Sales Hours
You can buy alcohol on Sundays now. But there are rules about when. This changed back in 2017 after being banned since 1858.
Off-sale liquor stores can only operate from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. That’s a seven-hour window. Compare that to Monday through Saturday when they can be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Bars and restaurants have different rules. They can serve alcohol starting at 8 a.m. on Sundays. On-sale locations can stay open until 2 a.m. on Monday morning. Some establishments with special permits can even serve until 2 a.m.
Here’s what you need to remember. Grocery stores and gas stations can sell beer during the same hours as liquor stores on Sunday. Wine and spirits? Those are only at liquor stores.
Also, some cities chose to keep their own Sunday alcohol bans. Towns like Bemidji and Ely still don’t allow Sunday sales. Check your local rules before you plan your Sunday shopping.
Why These Laws Still Exist
The Car Dealership Argument
Honestly, this is the part most people find confusing. Why keep a law from the 1950s? The car industry actually wants it this way.
The Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association supports the Sunday ban. They say it’s not about selling more cars. It’s about protecting dealers and workers. Adding Sunday would increase costs by about $20 million each year for dealerships statewide.
Here’s their reasoning. Banks are closed on Sundays. Title offices are closed. Insurance companies don’t process paperwork. So why be open when you can’t complete car sales anyway?
The law also gives car salespeople a guaranteed day off. Pretty straightforward. Car sales is a tough job with long hours. This ensures everyone gets at least one day to rest.
Minnesota is one of only 13 states that still bans Sunday car sales. All of Minnesota’s neighbors except South Dakota allow it. But there’s been little push to change the law.
The Alcohol History
The Sunday alcohol ban lasted 159 years. That’s longer than Minnesota has been a state. The ban started in 1858, right when Minnesota became a state.
Then in 2017, everything changed. Governor Mark Dayton signed a law allowing Sunday liquor sales. It took effect on July 2, 2017.
Not everyone was happy about the change. Some liquor store owners worried about higher costs. Union workers had concerns about Sunday shifts. Religious groups wanted to keep Sunday special.
But public opinion had shifted. Most Minnesotans supported the change. They wanted the convenience of buying alcohol on Sundays.
The compromise? Limited hours. Liquor stores can open on Sundays, but only for seven hours. This balances convenience with concerns about overwork and costs.
What You Can’t Do on Sunday
Let me break this down clearly. These are the specific things you cannot do on Sundays in Minnesota.
You cannot buy a car from any licensed dealer. You cannot test drive a car for sale. You cannot negotiate a car price. You cannot sign car sale paperwork.
Sound complicated? It’s actually not. The rule is simple. No car business on Sunday. Period.
For alcohol, you cannot buy off-sale liquor before 11 a.m. or after 6 p.m. You cannot get deliveries from wholesalers on Sunday if you’re a retailer. No order-taking or merchandising happens on Sundays for alcohol wholesalers.
Hold on, this part is important. These rules only apply to businesses. Private sales between people are different. You can sell your car to your neighbor on Sunday. That’s allowed.
What You Can Do on Sunday
Okay, pause. Let’s talk about what is actually legal on Sundays in Minnesota.
You can buy pretty much anything else. Clothes? No problem. Electronics? Go for it. Groceries? Absolutely. Furniture? Sure thing.
You can browse car dealership lots on Sundays. No one will stop you from looking at cars when they’re closed. Many people actually prefer this. You avoid pushy salespeople.
You can buy alcohol at bars and restaurants starting at 8 a.m. You can buy off-sale alcohol from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can buy beer at grocery stores and gas stations during those same hours.
Here’s something interesting. Some dealerships stay open on holidays like July 4th or Memorial Day. Even when banks and title offices are closed. But never on Sunday.
How Blue Laws Started in Minnesota
Minnesota’s blue laws go way back. When Minnesota became a state in 1858, lawmakers passed a bunch of Sunday restrictions right away.
These weren’t just about alcohol and cars. Back then, you couldn’t work on Sunday. Loud noises were banned. Horse racing? Forget it. Most buying and selling was illegal.
There were exceptions though. You could buy newspapers. Drugs were okay. Fruit sales were allowed. But even these had to be done quietly and orderly.
The laws reflected Minnesota’s early population. Lots of Scandinavian immigrants who valued the Sabbath. They wanted Sunday kept holy. The laws enforced that belief.
Over time, most blue laws got repealed. Courts struck some down as unconstitutional. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in 1969 that general Sunday shopping bans were too vague. That opened the door for most retail on Sundays.
But car sales and alcohol stuck around longer.
Recent Changes to the Law
The biggest change happened in 2017. That’s when Sunday liquor sales became legal after 159 years.
The bill passed after years of failed attempts. In 2015, a similar measure didn’t even get a hearing. But by 2017, public opinion had shifted enough. New legislators came in. Others changed their minds.
Governor Dayton signed the law in March 2017. Sales started that July. Just in time for the Fourth of July weekend. Talk about timing!
Some cities opted out. They can still ban Sunday sales locally. A handful chose to keep the ban. But most cities across Minnesota allow it now.
There was talk about repealing the car sales ban at the same time. An amendment was proposed during debate. It got voted down quickly though. The car dealers wanted to keep their Sunday closing law.
Penalties for Breaking Blue Laws
Let’s get serious for a moment. Breaking these laws comes with real consequences.
For car dealers, selling on Sunday is a misdemeanor the first time. That can mean fines and potentially jail time. A second offense bumps it up to a gross misdemeanor. That’s even more serious.
The exact penalties vary. Courts have discretion. But it’s not worth the risk for dealers. The Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association makes sure members follow the law.
For alcohol violations, penalties depend on what you did wrong. Selling outside the allowed hours can result in license suspension. Repeat offenders might lose their license completely.
Wholesalers can’t deliver on Sundays. If they do, they face penalties too. The Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division handles enforcement. They take violations seriously.
Most businesses just follow the rules. It’s easier than fighting it. The laws are clear about what’s allowed and what isn’t.
How Minnesota Compares to Other States
Minnesota isn’t alone in having blue laws. Twenty-eight states still have some version of them. But Minnesota’s are pretty specific.
For car sales, 12 other states have full Sunday bans. These include Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Some states do it differently. Texas and Utah require dealers to close either Saturday or Sunday. They pick one. Maryland allows Sunday sales in some counties but not others.
For alcohol, Minnesota’s Sunday hours are actually pretty generous now. Some states still ban Sunday sales completely. Others have very limited hours.
Here’s where it gets interesting. All of Minnesota’s neighboring states allow Sunday car sales except South Dakota. You could drive to Wisconsin, Iowa, or North Dakota and buy a car on Sunday. But not in Minnesota.
That hasn’t seemed to hurt Minnesota dealers though. People just shop on other days.
The Debate About Blue Laws
People have strong opinions about these laws. Some love them. Others think they’re outdated.
Supporters say blue laws protect workers. Car salespeople deserve a day off. The law guarantees it. Without the law, some dealers would stay open. Then everyone else would have to compete.
Business owners like the level playing field. Nobody has an advantage. All dealers close on the same day. It keeps things fair.
Critics say it’s about freedom. Businesses should decide their own hours. If a dealer wants to be open Sunday, they should be allowed. Let the market decide.
Consumers often wish they could shop on Sundays. Many people work Monday through Friday. Weekends are their only free time. Losing Sunday cuts shopping time in half.
Some see it as government overreach. Why should the state tell businesses when to open? Other retail stores can choose. Why not car dealers?
Religious arguments come up too. Not everyone observes Sunday as a holy day. Should laws force religious observance on everyone?
Yep, that’s all you need to know about blue laws.
What This Means for You
If you’re planning to buy a car, schedule it for Monday through Saturday. Dealerships are closed all day Sunday. No exceptions.
Check the hours before heading to a liquor store on Sunday. Off-sale locations can only operate from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Don’t show up at 9 a.m. or 8 p.m. You’ll find locked doors.
Bars and restaurants can serve you alcohol earlier on Sunday. Starting at 8 a.m. if you want that mimosa with brunch. Just know the rules vary by establishment.
If you live in a smaller city, check your local laws. Some towns still ban Sunday alcohol sales completely. Better to know before you make plans.
Want to buy a car and have time off on Sunday? Use it to research online. Visit lots when they’re closed to browse without pressure. Then go back during the week to buy.
These laws aren’t changing anytime soon. The car industry likes the Sunday ban. No serious push to repeal it has gained traction. So plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a car from a private seller on Sunday in Minnesota?
Yes, you can. The blue law only applies to licensed dealers. Private sales between individuals can happen any day of the week.
What happens if I’m already at a dealership when Sunday starts at midnight?
Dealers must close by midnight Saturday. They can’t complete any sales after that. Come back Monday to finish the paperwork.
Can I order a car online on Sunday for delivery later?
This is a gray area. The law prohibits dealers from conducting business on Sunday. Online orders might fall under this. Check with the dealer.
Are there any exceptions to the Sunday car sales ban?
Very few. The law doesn’t apply to trailers for watercraft, ATVs, or snowmobiles. But regular cars and trucks? No exceptions.
Will Minnesota ever repeal the Sunday car sales ban?
Maybe, but probably not soon. The car industry strongly supports keeping it. Without their support, lawmakers are unlikely to change it.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the basics. Minnesota has two main blue laws left. Car dealers close on Sundays. Liquor stores have limited Sunday hours.
These laws go back decades. The car ban started in 1957. The alcohol ban lasted from 1858 to 2017. Both have roots in religious observance and worker protection.
You might agree with these laws. You might think they’re outdated. Either way, they’re still in effect. Plan your shopping accordingly.
Stay informed, stay smart, and when in doubt, check the hours before you go.
References
Minnesota Statute Section 168.275 – Motor Vehicle Sales on Sunday https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/168.275
Minnesota Statute Section 340A.504 – Alcohol Sales Hours and Restrictions
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/340A.504
Minnesota House of Representatives – New Laws 2025 https://www.house.mn.gov/NewLaws/consolidated/2025
Star Tribune – Why Can’t You Buy a Car on Sundays in Minnesota? https://www2.startribune.com/sunday-car-sales-minnesota-law-dealerships-closed/600215665/
Minnesota Alcohol Sales and Laws – Park Street (2026) https://www.parkstreet.com/states/minnesota/
