What Is License Plate Renewal in Minnesota?
License plate renewal in Minnesota creates a new registration tab and registration card, while the license plate number remains unchanged. Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), under the Department of Public Safety, processes all renewals.
- Registration is on an annual cycle. Tabs expire on the last day of the month printed on the plate (Minnesota Statute 168.013).
- Renewal is different from transferring ownership. The plate stays with the owner, so selling a vehicle requires a separate transaction for the title and plate at a deputy registrar.
- Passenger vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, recreational vehicles, and commercial trucks are renewed annually. Trailers weighing up to 3,000 pounds have a permanent, one-time registration and are not renewed.
- Minnesota does not require any safety inspection or emissions test to complete the renewal.
When Do You Need To Renew Your Minnesota License Plate?
DVS sends renewal notices before the expiration month and allows for email notifications through a MyDVS profile. Fees in the next section are added to these renewal windows.
- The early renewal window opens six months before the expiration date. Online, kiosk, in-person, and mail channels accept early renewals within this window.
- Minnesota does not set a grace period for purchasing a renewal. New tabs must be displayed by the 10th day of the month following expiration (Minnesota Statute 168.09, subdivision 4).
- DVS does not charge a late fee on the registration tax itself. However, operating with expired tabs is a misdemeanor offense subject to a fine.
- Renewals remain available online up to 10 months past expiration through the DVS online renewal portal.
How To Renew Your License Plate in Minnesota
Before renewing, confirm that current Minnesota no-fault insurance is on record. DVS verifies insurance status during the renewal transaction (Minnesota Statute 169.791). Proof of verification is not required.
- Online: Enter the plate number, last three digits of the VIN, and insurance information on DVS Online Services. Pay by credit card or bank account. Tabs arrive by mail in approximately 14 days.
- DVS Now Kiosk: Scan the barcode on the renewal notice or enter the plate number at any DVS Now kiosk. The tab prints on-site.
- In Person: Visit any deputy registrar office with the renewal notice (or plate number) and proof of insurance. Payments by cash, check, money order, or card are accepted.
- By Mail: Send the completed renewal notice and a check or money order payable to Driver and Vehicle Services to DVS Renewal, P.O. Box 64587, St. Paul, MN 55164-0587. Allow approximately 21 days for delivery.
The online channel is detailed below.
How Much Is License Plate Renewal in Minnesota?
Minnesota charges a statutorily set registration tax plus fixed fees and a possible county wheelage tax. The base registration tax is straightforward for older vehicles, but surcharges for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles can significantly increase the total.
- Passenger vehicles pay $10 plus 1.575% of the original retail price, reduced by a depreciation schedule that drops to $20 after 10 years (Minnesota Statute 168.013, subdivision 1a).
- Motorcycles renew for $10 per year. Mopeds pay $6.
- Each renewal includes an $8 filing fee and a $2.25 technology surcharge, as currently posted on the DVS vehicle fees page.
- Wheelage tax from $10 to $20 per year applies in 55 participating counties, including Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, and Olmsted. Motorcycles, mopeds, and trailers are exempt (DVS wheelage tax page).
- Electric vehicles add a surcharge of at least $150 (or 0.5% of the retail price multiplied by the depreciation factor, whichever is greater). Plug-in hybrids add at least $75.
- Personalized plates have a $100 issuance fee. Special plate contributions vary by plate type and may be annual; the DVS special plates brochure lists each amount.
Can I Renew My License Plate Online in Minnesota?
DVS accepts online renewals for vehicles with a registered weight under 55,000 pounds, covering passenger vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, recreational vehicles, and most commercial vehicles. The portal at DVS Online Services accepts credit cards and bank accounts for payment. Tabs are mailed and arrive in approximately 14 days.
For immediate tab receipt, DVS Now kiosks, located throughout Minnesota, print the sticker on-site. Any deputy registrar office processes renewals that the portal cannot handle, including vehicles with registration holds or insurance verification issues.
- Mail renewals require a completed renewal notice, proof of insurance, and a check or money order sent to DVS Renewal, P.O. Box 64587, St. Paul, MN 55164-0587.
- Allow approximately 21 days for processing and return of mailed renewals.
If Minnesota can renew your plate online or at a kiosk, these are the fastest routes; the deputy registrar office handles what automated channels cannot.