Minnesota residents can register their vehicles with the Driver and Vehicles Services. License plates are required for most vehicles to drive legally on state roads.
There are various plates available, such as specialty plates, disability plates, and vanity plates.
You can register your vehicle with the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS).
New residents must register their out-of-state vehicles within 60 days. However, if your vehicle’s registration is about to expire from the previous state, you must register right away.
If you’re purchasing a new vehicle from a dealership, most dealers will help with the registration of your vehicle. You’ll be given temporary plates, and you can drive legally until your plates have been processed.
To apply for license plates in Minnesota, you’ll need the following:
Note: Anyone who has moved to Minnesota from a different state must also obtain a Minnesota driver’s license.
When applying for your license plate, it is possible to choose from various license plate styles.
Minnesota’s standard license plate has a blue and white background with blue lettering, the state’s emblem, and “10,000 lakes” across the bottom. You’ll receive this plate if you don’t make a special request for another style.
Also offered are:
Note: Before registering your vehicle, you may require temporary license plates in Minnesota to drive legally from the point of sale to your home and to the DVS office.
You can apply for a specialty license plate in Minnesota, which has a unique design and represents a local charity, organization, or cause.
Examples of Specialty Plates Available in Minnesota:
Typical fees for specialty plates can be as follows:
Personalized license plates allow you to create custom plate numbers for your vehicle. You should look up available plate numbers online before applying.
The state of Minnesota has the following requirements when applying for personalized license plates:
Be sure to follow the guidelines from the Minnesota DVS to ensure that your personalized plates are approved.
If you have a disability, you may be eligible to receive a disability placard or license plate for your vehicle. This special license plate enables you to park in designated parking spots for people with disabilities.
Disability license plates are issued to:
Alternatively, you can apply for a placard to place in your windshield if your disability is:
Be sure to bring the necessary documents when you apply for these Minnesota license plates.
Before the registration stickers on your rear license plate expire, you should renew your vehicle with the DVS. It is possible to renew your stickers online, in person, or by mail.
You may receive a notification in the mail before your stickers expire.
If you don’t renew your vehicle’s stickers before the expiration date, you may have to pay late fees when you get around to renewing them.
When you move to a new state, you won’t have to surrender your license plates. However, if you sell your vehicle before the registration expires, it is possible to apply to a refund. You must surrender your license plate if you intend to receive a refund for your vehicle’s registration.
In Minnesota, standard license plates remain with the vehicle. If you have custom or personalized plates, you can transfer these to a new vehicle. To do so, you must:
Contact the DVS for more details about transferring plates to a new vehicle.
If your plates are lost, stolen, or damaged, it is possible to have them replaced. You’ll have to go to a DVS office and apply. The fees for replacements are:
If your plates were stolen, you should contact the local authorities and file a report.
The following fees are applicable to you when registering a vehicle with the DVS:
In addition to any of the above fees, you may also be required to pay state tax, titling fees, and other fees related to vehicle registration.
Looking Up Available License Plates in Minnesota
If you are considering applying for a personalized license plate in Minnesota, you should look up available plate numbers online.
Simply submit the plate number you want in the relevant state and hit submit. Make sure you're following the guidelines provided by the DVS for personalization.
