Replacement License Plate in Minnesota

What is a License Plate Replacement in Minnesota?

The Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) reissues license plates outside the regular renewal cycle when an existing plate is lost, stolen, damaged, becomes illegible, destroyed, or surrendered. The transaction has its own fee and list of documents, separate from the annual registration renewal.

• Trigger conditions include loss, theft, physical damage, fading or illegibility, surrender (e.g., after insurance expiration), transitioning from out-of-state registration, and a change in vehicle class requiring a different type of plate. Minnesota Statute § 168.29 governs the process.
• Standard replacement plates receive a new plate number from the current stock. The commissioner cancels the old number to prevent reuse. Personalized plates are an exception: § 168.12, subd. 2a(h) ensures the same letter and number combination on the duplicate.
• Vehicles with two plates can replace one plate or both. One plate costs $13.50; a set of two plates costs $15.50, each before the filing fee and technology surcharge described in the fee section below.
• Mandatory reissuance every 7 years upon renewal per § 168.12, subd. 1(f)(2) is a scheduled event, not a replacement. Loss or damage mid-cycle triggers the replacement path.

When Do You Need to Replace Your Minnesota License Plate?

DVS does not set a specific number of days to report a lost or damaged plate, but a vehicle cannot legally drive on public roads without valid plates according to § 169.79. The practical term is immediate.

• Missing plate (lost or stolen) requires the owner to submit an affidavit to DVS describing the circumstances. The statute does not require a police report, but filing one for stolen plates is recommended to get the old number into law enforcement databases.
• Plates that are physically cracked, bent, or faded to illegibility must be replaced. Minnesota’s reflectivity standard in § 168.12, subd. 1(e) requires plates to be legible at 110 feet and visible at 1,500 feet with standard headlights. No grace period for illegible plates is published.
• Plates marked as surrendered, never received, or issued in error each appear as separate categories of reasons on the PS2067B form.
• New residents must register a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, utility trailer, or recreational trailer within 60 days of establishing residency in Minnesota. Commercial trailers and trucks with expired registration require immediate registration. The DVS new resident page lists the required documents.

How to Get a Replacement License Plate in Minnesota

Before choosing a channel, gather the vehicle’s current plate number, VIN, and valid ID. Any remaining damaged plates and stickers must be surrendered when a new set is issued. DVS offers three paths.

• In person: Visit any deputy registrar office. Bring your driver’s license and vehicle information. The registrar processes the affidavit, collects the fee, and issues plates from stock on-site. Use the DVS office locator tool to find the nearest location. A local fee of $1 applies at deputy registrar locations.
• By mail: Send the completed PS2067B form with the appropriate fee (check payable to Driver and Vehicle Services) to: 445 Minnesota St., St. Paul, MN 55101-5187. Mailed applications are processed in approximately 21 days; add 5 days if a new plate needs to be manufactured.
• Online: DVS accepts duplicate plate requests through the DVS online services portal, although not all plate types qualify. The portal requires the plate number, last three digits of the VIN, and a credit card or bank account. Online orders ship in approximately 14 days, plus 5 days for plate production.

If an affidavit for a stolen plate is required, as mentioned in the trigger conditions section, the in-person path is the fastest way to resolve the issue and receive plates the same day.

Can You Replace Minnesota License Plate Online?

Yes, for most standard plate types. DVS accepts online requests for duplicate plates through the DVS online services portal, covering lost, stolen, destroyed, damaged, and never-received plates. Not all plate categories qualify; some specialty and personalized plates require an in-person visit.

The portal accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. Expect delivery in approximately 14 days for stickers, with an additional 5 days when a physical plate needs to be manufactured. Personalized plate replacements take four to six weeks.

When the online portal does not support your plate type, visit a deputy registrar office for same-day issuance from stock. For mail requests, send the PS2067B form with payment to DVS at: 445 Minnesota St., St. Paul, MN 55101-5187.

If the portal supports your plate type, use it. The deputy registrar is the fallback for everything else.

How Much is License Plate Replacement in Minnesota?

The plate fee itself is just one line item on the receipt. A $12 filing fee and a $2.25 technology surcharge are added to each duplicate plate transaction, raising the total significantly above the headline plate figure.

• Passenger or truck, dual plates: Plate fee $15.50, plus $12 filing, plus $2.25 technology surcharge. Total before any local fee: $29.75.
• One plate (available only for 1972 and older models and collector classes) costs $13.50 instead of $15.50. The DVS fee schedule lists both figures under § 168.12, subd. 5.
• Motorcycle and moped plates cost $13.50 for a single rear plate.
• Trailer plates cost $13.50; a lifetime sticker for untitled utility trailers costs $2.50.
• Duplicate annual stickers cost $1.50. A duplicate registration card costs $1.
• Deputy registrar offices add a local fee of $1 per transaction. Online and mail orders are not subject to this fee.
• No county fee specifically applies to replacement transactions. The wheelage tax ($10 to $20, depending on the county) is a registration renewal fee, not an add-on to replacement.