License Plates - Weight Class Plates -Trucks and TrailersInformationWeight Class License Plates applies to trucks, tractor and truck-tractors, based on vehicle gross weight. Policies and ProceduresTrailers
Small utility trailers
3,000 pounds gross vehicle weight receive permanent registration. The registration sticker issued is displayed on the tongue of the vehicle (also see recreational trailers).
Weighted Trailers
For trailers registered at over 3,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, that are not a recreational trailer or towed as a tractor-semi trailer combination. Registration is based on gross weight.
Expiration: February - plate must display year validation sticker and gross weight sticker.
Please Note: Online tab renewal is only available for standard passenger class vehicles (cars, pick-ups under 1 ton and SUVs). All other vehicle classes need to be renewed in person or through the mail. Find an Office Location
Semi-Trailer
Is a trailer designed and used in conjunction with a truck-tractor so that a considerable part of its weight rests upon and is carried by the truck-tractor. This plate is non-expiring. The maximum gross vehicle weight of the trailer - truck/tractor combination may not exceed the registered gross weight of the truck-tractor.
Semi-Trailer License Plate Image:
Permanent Minnesota Trailer Registration Sticker:
Farm Plates
Applies to gross weight vehicles (trucks and truck-tractors) and trailers, including semi trailers, if:
- The vehicle is used exclusively by the owner to transport the owner's agricultural, horticultural, dairy and other farm products, including livestock, from the farm to market and to transport property and supplies to the owner's farm.
- The vehicle is occasionally used to transport unprocessed and raw farm products, not produced by the owner of the truck, from the place of production to market, when the transportation constitutes the first haul of products.
- The vehicle is used by the farmer or logger who harvests and hauls forest products only, to transport logs, pulpwood, lumber, chips, railroad ties and other raw and unfinished forest products from the place of production to an intermediate or final assembly point or transfer yard or railhead.
- Transportation may be continued by another farm truck to a place for final processing or manufacture located within 200 miles of the place of production and still constitute as the first haul of unfinished wood product.
- The owner and operator of a vehicle transporting planed lumber must have in possession a signed statement by the lumber producer designating the governmental subdivision, section and township where the lumber was produced -- and that this haul, indicating the date, is the first thereof.
- Owner may use the vehicle to transport to and from timber harvesting areas, equipment and appurtenances incidental to timber harvesting, and gravel and other road-building materials for timber haul roads.
- The vehicle is a single-unit truck, that because of its construction, cannot be used for any other purpose and is used exclusively to transport milk and cream en route from a farm to an assembly point or place of final manufacture, and for transporting milk and cream from an assembly point to a place for final processing or manufacture. This section shall not be construed to mean that the owner or operator of the truck cannot carry on usual accommodation services for patrons on regular return trips, such as butter, cream, cheese, and other dairy supplies. (Single unit truck may pull a pup type trailer.)
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
Commercial Zone Plates
Applies to trucks, tractors, and truck-tractors with a manufacturers gross vehicle weight rating of one ton or more. Vehicle must stay within the limits of the commercial zone established for the municipality where the vehicle is based.
The vehicle owner must be an authorized local cartage carrier in possession of either a Local Cartage Carrier (LCC) permit or a Local Cartage Exemption number.
Registration is based on vehicle gross weight
License Plate Image:
Expiration: February of each year - plate must display a year validation sticker and a vehicle weight sticker.
Related NewsDigital Plate Technology
In 2008, Minnesota began to transition to digital license plate (DLP) technology. For the past several years, Minnesota has used digital license plate technology to produce the Critical Habitat Loon and Support Our Troops license plates. In 2008, Minnesota began to transition passenger plates to DLP. Eventually, all license plates in Minnesota will be manufactured using the DLP system. Digital License Plates are flat. The license plate numbers produced for the DLP system are 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. In the meantime, many vehicles will continue to display license plates that are made of reflectorized sheeting applied to steel or aluminum. In most cases the letter and number characters are embossed and are non-reflective.
License plates issued to passenger automobiles and dealer license plates are replaced at seven (7) year intervals; all other license plates are issued for the life of the vehicle.
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