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.

Sample Minnesota License Plate

Applying for License Plates in Minnesota

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:

Vehicle title certificate (i.e., proof of ownership)
Proof of insurance for the vehicle
Completed application forms
Odometer reading
Lease agreement (if applicable)
Valid ID (i.e., Minnesota driver's license)
Payment for fees

Note: Anyone who has moved to Minnesota from a different state must also obtain a Minnesota driver’s license.

Types of License Plates in Minnesota

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:

Specialty License Plates
Personalized License Plates
Disability License Plates & Placards

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.

Specialty License Plates in Minnesota

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:

Firefighter License Plates
Support Our Troops License Plates
Military Veterans License Plates
Ex-POW License Plates
Medal of Honor License Plates
National Guard License Plates
Ready Reserve License Plates
Critical Habitat License Plates

Typical fees for specialty plates can be as follows:

Plate Fee: $10
Registration Fee: $10
Minimum Yearly Donation: $35 (if applicable)

Personalized License Plates in Minnesota

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:

Up to 7 characters (at least 1 letter and numbers)
Up to 6 characters for motorcycles
No profanity or inappropriate suggestions
Provide reasoning in application
Pay a $100 fee to apply and a $10 fee for filing

Be sure to follow the guidelines from the Minnesota DVS to ensure that your personalized plates are approved.

Disability License Plates in Minnesota

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 people with a permanent disability.

Alternatively, you can apply for a placard to place in your windshield if your disability is temporary, short-term, or long-term.

Be sure to bring the necessary documents when you apply for these Minnesota license plates.

Renew License Plates in Minnesota

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.

Surrendering License Plates in Minnesota

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.

Transferring License Plates in Minnesota

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:

Register your new vehicle with the DVS
Be the owner of the specialty or personalized plate
Pay the transfer fee

Contact the DVS for more details about transferring plates to a new vehicle.

Replacement License Plates in Minnesota

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:

Filing Fee: $12
Replacing 2 License Plates: $15.50
Replacing 1 License Plate: $13.50

If your plates were stolen, you should contact the local law enforcement authorities and file a report.

Overview of Costs for License Plates in Minnesota

The following fees are applicable when registering a vehicle with the DVS:

Filing Fee for Each Application: $12 (includes special plates, transfer of special plates, duplicate plates, stickers or registration card, and 31-day non-resident permit)
Filing Fee with Each Renewal: $8
Passenger Vehicle Plate Fee
- 2 License Plates: $15.50
- 1 License Plate: $13.50
- Trailers: $13.50 ($2.50 for lifetime stickers)
- Motorcycle/Moped Fee: $13.50
- Truck Plate Fee:
  - $15.00 (double plates)
  - $13.50 (single plate)
- 31-Day Non-Resident Permit: $1

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.

Car Ownership in Minnesota

Minnesota ranks 29 in the list of states with the highest rates of car ownership.
93.40% of households in Minnesota have at least one vehicle. Idaho and Wyoming are tied for the top spot with 96.20% of households having at least one vehicle in these two states. Overall, the national average of vehicle ownership in the US is 91.70%.
Minnesota ranks 22 (tied) in the US for electric vehicle ownership. Approximately 0.29% of all registered vehicles in Minnesota are electric vehicles. California is ranked number 1 for the most electric vehicles (1.61%) and Hawaii takes the second spot (1.32%).
Minnesota ranks 37 in the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US.
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in Minnesota is $2,360.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Minnesota is $377.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Minnesota require 2 license plates?

Yes, the State of Minnesota requires 2 license plates, one on the front and one on the rear of the vehicle.

Is it illegal to have one license plate in Minnesota?

Yes, it is illegal to have one license plate in Minnesota. Minnesota is a 2-plate state and requires license plates on both the front and the rear of a vehicle.

Why does Minnesota require two license plates?

Two license plates make sense from a law enforcement perspective. Police officers can run a plate from either the front or rear of the vehicle. This makes it easier to find vehicle information when any suspicious vehicles are encountered by law enforcement.

What are black Minnesota license plates?

Starting January 1, 2024, you can order black Minnesota license plates for passenger cars, motorcycles, recreational vehicles (RVs), and non-commercial trucks. These plates feature a black background with white lettering.

Why are classic plates in Minnesota?

Classic plates in Minnesota are special license plates that can only be displayed on vehicles manufactured between 1925 and 1948. These vehicles are classified as classic cars in Minnesota and exclude recreational vehicles or commercial vehicles.

How long can you drive with expired tabs in Minnesota?

You cannot drive with expired tabs for even one day in Minnesota. You should renew your vehicle’s registration before the last day of the month on your current tabs. There is no grace period for vehicle registration renewal.

How many characters are on a license plate in MN?

You can have up to 7 characters on a license plate in MN including spaces and hyphens for passenger vehicles. Motorcycle and RV plates can have up to 6 characters. The vertical-type motorcycle plates can have up to 4 characters.

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