Since 2008, Minnesota has been issuing Minnesota License Plates using digital license plate (DLP) technology. In 2008, Minnesota began to transition passenger plates to DLP. Eventually, all license plates in Minnesota will be manufactured using the DLP system. DLP are flat plates. The license plate number on plates produced by the DLP system is black. If you have questions about the DLP system, please contact DVS at (651) 284-3896.
It will take several years to transition all Minnesota plates to DLP.
Plate Display
Effective August 1, 2008, all license plates are required to be displayed horizontally and in an upright position with the identifying numbers and letters facing outward from the vehicle.
License plates issued after July 1, 2008, requiring validation must display the month of expiration in the lower left corner of each plate and the year of expiration in the lower right corner of the plate.
Plate Combinations
- Combinations of two or three letter characters with two, three or four number characters
ABC123 or 123ABC; AA12 or 12AA; AA1234 or 1234AA
- On combinations with all number characters, plate must include one letter character
We cannot duplicate any plate or plate series used by the department. Examples: "Y" or "T" class truck series, CT class trailer series, CH or C# class Critical Habitat series 1AA001 through 6ZZ999.
Standard License Plate Image:
Single Plate Issue
Back display - A single license plate is issued to the following vehicles for display on the back of the vehicle:
- Dealer and Dealer In-transit vehicles
- The vehicle model year is 1972 or earlier, and the vehicle is used for general transportation
- The vehicle is used for general transportation and meets the definition of a pioneer, classic or street rod vehicle (Minnesota Statute 168.10).
- The vehicle is registered in one of the Collector Classes (pioneer, classic car, collector, street rod)
Front display - A single license plate is issued to the following vehicles for display on the front of the vehicle:
- Tractors and truck-tractors, used in tractor-trailer combinations
- Farm class vehicles, 20 model years or older
Double Plate Issue
All other vehicles are issued double plates to display on the front and back of the vehicle. This includes cars, vans, pickups, trucks and buses.