New MN License Plates. MN state law requires you to purchase new license plates every 7 years, regardless of their condition. Your DVS Renewal notice will say if you must get new plates, and the fee for doing so will be listed with your other renewal fees. You can also visit our MN License Plates section for information and steps on ordering. Reference: MN Statutes 168.012, Subd. The following vehicles are exempt from payment of registration fees: Registered owner includes a qualifying lessee. (See separate document for qualifying Sales Tax exemptions.).

• Minnesota Y Plate Weights
• Personalized License Plates Minnesota
• Minnesota Automobile License Plates
• Minnesota Trailer License Plate

The SearchQuarry.com License Plate Number Database

Personalized plates; rules. (a) The commissioner may issue personalized plates or, if requested for special plates issued under section 168.123 for veterans, 168.124 for medal of honor recipients, or 168.125 for former prisoners of war, applicable personalized special veterans plates, to an applicant who: (1) is an owner of a passenger automobile including a passenger.

Plates are currently issued by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety through its Driver and Vehicle Services Division. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers. MN passed a law back in 2002 that made it illegal for police to pull over cars just for the plate, however I am not sure if that is a general law or just specific to cars with Whiskey plates. Last edited by LeoTheLion89;, 07:58 PM.

In the SearchQuarry.com member’s area you will find our “Driving Records” section, and all of our license plate, VIN, driving, and vehicle related records searches are in that section. Our license plate records searches include VIN numbers, vehicle history and ownership records. Other driving related records include traffic citations, felony driving offenses, misdemeanor driving offenses, vehicle ownership reports, license plate records, and vehicle history reports. You can search any license plate by typing in a plate number and searching. Other searches available in the member's area include criminal records, birth records, death records, marriage records, divorce records, court records, people search, and phone number lookups.

License Plate Records as Public Record

There are many reasons why someone would be required to search a license plate record, such as following a particularly bad accident where both individuals failed to communicate correctly and vital personal information is missing from the incident. Or, in some cases, you can look up a license plate record in an attempt to view any driving violations or the status of a driver in various states across the country. This entire process is quite simple and, thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, is totally legal and considered public records in most counties or states. In some cases, however, you may be required to route your license plate record request through the local sheriff's office or police department, who may then release the records for your public viewing.
In order to search by license plate and access license plate owner information, the person searching must have a valid reason for the search. At SearchQuarry.com, we offer license plate searches, and before you can see your results, you will be required to choose why you are searching.
According to federal law, which always supersedes local county or state law, public records, including driver information and license plate records, are considered public access should any United States citizen request the records formally. Should the local DMV deny such a request, as they are wanton to do on occasion, there are a few different agencies one can write to in order to put their request to someone higher up in the government food chain.
One instance of such a happening occurred at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department, where an unnamed individual requested access to license plate records but was denied almost immediately by the officials on hand. The denial came down to confidentiality of the individual who owned the license plate number currently. This tends to be totally anonymous data, however, as most people would know, but the confidentiality of the individual is far more important than simply releasing such data to the general public on a whim. Each case is most likely different and looked at carefully by officials, though the end results may turn out the very same, no matter the case or circumstances.
Through the Freedom of Information Act, license plate records are technically public record available to anyone seeking the information through the correct channels. Most state and county laws, however, tend to forego such rules and simply make their own where they please. This may be good for the individual who owns the license plate, but overall it is a breach of freedom.

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COVID-19 Effects on Registration Services

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state DMVs nationwide have closed office locations, extended license and registration expiration dates, and/or limited the transactions they are processing. If possible, residents should use the DVS' online services to complete any relevant transactions. Follow the DVS' most recent updates for the latest information.

Minnesota Registration Renewal

Minnesota vehicle registrations expire annually; accordingly, drivers must renew their Minnesota vehicle's registration through the MN Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS).

New to Minnesota?

If you just purchased a vehicle or recently moved to the state, you will need to register your vehicle with (DVS). For more information on this topic, visit our MN Car Registration page.

Minnesota Registration Renewal Notice

As a reminder that your registration is about to expire, the DVS will send a renewal notice that contains your:

• Renewal month.
• Renewal fee.
• Name and address as listed on your registration.

You may renew your MN registration once you receive your renewal notice. You must have your renewed decals affixed to your plates by the 10th day of the next month after your registration expires.

If your information has changed, it must be updated before you can renew your registration. Learn more about changing your name or address in Minnesota.

If you received a renewal notice for a vehicle you no longer own, you do not have to do anything if you sold or traded it to a dealer. If, however, you sold it to a private individual, you will need to file a report of sale.

Didn't Receive a Renewal Notice?

You are still responsible for renewing your vehicle registration before the expiration date, even if you did not get a renewal notice.

Minnesota Y Plate Weights

You must renew either online or in person if you do not have your renewal notice (not by mail). You may need to update your address with the Driver and Vehicle Services.

Renewing Your MN Registration

Minnesota offers a number of ways to get your registration renewed. Below are instructions on how to renew in person, online, and by mail. Most vehicles can be renewed online or by mail EXCEPT gross vehicle weight (GVW) trucks (including farm class vehicles) which must always be renewed in person at your local DVS Deputy Registrar.

MN Liability Insurance

DID YOU KNOW?: Car insurance is REQUIRED when renewing your registration!

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In order to renew, your vehicle must be covered by liability insurance. It is illegal to drive without it, resulting in possible license loss or even being convicted of a crime.

Visit our Car Insurance page for more information about MN no-fault insurance requirements and local providers.

Renew in Person

• Go to your local DVS Deputy Registrar office.
• Present your DVS Renewal notice or current MN vehicle registration.
• Present your proof of car insurance.
• If you need to change your name or address, bring appropriate documentation (e.g. marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.) to prove the change.
• Pay your renewal fee (cash, check, money order). See below for a list of standard fees.

For additional questions about renewing in person, contact the DVS help desk at (651) 297-2126.

Renew Online

All passenger vehicles, motorcycles, RVs, mopeds, trailers, and trucks can be renewed online. You cannot, however, renew online if you need to change your name.

To renew online:

• Go to the DVS Renewal Website.
• Enter your license plate number.
• Enter the last 3 digits of your vehicle's identification number (VIN).
• Verify that your information on your registration is correct (e.g. name, address, vehicle information). Change your address, if necessary.
• Pay your renewal fee (E-Check, Visa or MasterCard). See below for a list of standard fees. You will also be charged an additional $1.50 fee, and for credit cards 2.49% of the total online renewal fee.

Once you complete your renewal, your new registration certificate and plate stickers will be sent by mail.

You can also check your renewal status online or contact your local DVS officeif you don't receive your new registration information.

Renew by Mail

You can only renew by mail if you have received a renewal notice from the DVS, and the name on the notice is correct.

To renew your MN vehicle registration by mail:

• Make sure that all your information is correct on your DVS Renewal notice.
• Update your address, if necessary, by listing the change on the back of your renewal notice (name changes must be done in person).
• Make out a check or money order payable to DVS Renewal for your renewal fee (include your driver's license number if you write a check).
• Tear off your renewal form and send it along with your payment in the return envelope provided to:

• DVS Renewal

• P.O. Box 64587
• St. Paul, MN 55164

You should expect to receive your renewed certificate and plate decals within 10 days of the DVS receiving your renewal application. If you don't receive anything, contact your local DVS office or check the status of your renewal online.

Minnesota Registration Renewal Fees

Minnesota registration renewal fees are made up of a registration tax, which is determined by the year and type of your vehicle, and a number of different flat fees that the DVS charges for each renewal.

• Filing fee: $7
• Electronic check charge (if applicable): $1.50
• Technology surcharge: $2.25
• Wheelage tax (if applicable): $10
• License plates, if required: $8 for double plates or $6 for single plate
• Registration tax: Varies based on the year and type of your vehicle
• Passenger vehicles 10 years old and older: $35
• Motorcycles: $10
• Mopeds: $6

Check your MN DVS Renewal notice for the exact amount that you will owe.

Late Renewal Fees

The DVS does not impose any type of late fees or penalties for late renewals, but you can be pulled over by the police if you have not renewed your registration by the 10th day of the month following your expiration month.

New MN License Plates

MN state law requires you to purchase new license plates every 7 years, regardless of their condition. Your DVS Renewal notice will say if you must get new plates, and the fee for doing so will be listed with your other renewal fees.

You can also visit our MN License Plates section for information and steps on ordering new plates.

Registration Renewal for MN Military Members

If you are on active duty service in the U.S. Military, then you may be eligible to apply for an exemption from the registration tax that you would normally have to pay when you renew (you still must pay all other renewal fees).

To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be an active duty military member and the owner or co-owner of the vehicle being renewed.
• Your vehicle must be located or based out of the state or country.
• Your vehicle cannot be driven or parked on a public highway within the state of MN unless you are on leave or furlough.
• You must be able to provide a copy of your military orders from your base commander that lists your deployment dates.
• You must apply for the exemption before, during, or within 90 days of completing your active service.

If you qualify, you will be exempt from paying the registration tax for the dates you were on active duty and for 90 days after you completed active service.

Contact your local DVS office or the DVS help desk at (651) 297-2126 for more information on applying for a military exemption.

For more general information, visit our Drivers in the Military page.

Minnesota Registration Renewal for Out-of-State Residents

Personalized License Plates Minnesota

If you are temporarily away from the state, you may renew your plates online (see above). In order to get your new registration and stickers, you will need to make arrangements to have them sent to you by having your mail forwarded through the post office or other arrangements.

MN Emissions Inspection

Minnesota does not require registered vehicles to undergo regular emissions testing. There are, however, a number of things that you can still do to help lower your vehicle's carbon footprint and to make sure that it is in good operating condition.

Check out our page on Smog & Emission Checks in Minnesota for more information on reducing pollution and MN clean air programs.

Minnesota Automobile License Plates

Replacement Certificates, Stickers, and License Plates

Minnesota Trailer License Plate

If your license plates or registration stickers are damaged or stolen, you will need to get them replaced. The same goes for your registration certificate. Duplicate license plates, stickers, or registration certificates carry a $11 fee.