Why did my license plates get impounded?

License plate impoundment is required if the violation is:

• The second violation of Minn. Stat. § 169A.20 or Minn. Stat. § 169A.52 within 10 years

• A license disqualification under Minn. Stat. § 171.165 resulting from a violation of § 169A.52 within ten years of a qualified prior impaired driving incident

• A violation of Minn. Stat. § 169A.20 or Minn. Stat. § 169A.52 while having an alcohol concentration of twice the legal limit as measured at the time, or within two hours of the offense

• A violation of Minn. Stat. § 169A.20 or Minn. Stat. § 169A.52 while having a child under the age of 16 in the vehicle if the child is more than 36 months younger than the offender

• A violation of Minn. Stat. § 171.24 (driving without valid license) by a person whose driver's license or driving privileges have been canceled under Minn. Stat. § 171.04 , Canceled Inimical to Public Safety (CANC-IPS)

My license plates are impounded how do I obtain Special Registration (WX-WZ) plates?

If the license plates on your vehicle or vehicles have been court-ordered impounded, you may qualify for Special Registration plates. If you have a valid driver license or have obtained a Limited (Work/School) License or if someone with valid driving privileges has a need to operate the vehicle, you may qualify for Special Registration plates (Please note the Seven Day Permit given at the time of the stop is not acceptable).

These Special Registration plates may be obtained over the counter at any Motor Vehicle office or by mail (please allow 2-3 weeks for mailing):

Driver and Vehicle Services
Plate Impound
445 Minnesota St. Ste 166
St. Paul, MN 55101-5166

Special Registration plates allow anyone with a valid or limited license to operate the vehicle during the plate impound period.

Which vehicles are affected by a Plate Impoundment order?

All vehicles (including motorcycles and self propelled RVs) solely or jointly owned, leased or registered in the driver’s name, are subject to the plate impound order. These vehicles may not be operated without special registration plates during the plate impound period.

*Trailers, ATVs, Boats, Recreational Trailers and vehicles not registered or titled in Minnesota are not subject to Plate impound.

How long must I have Special registration plates on my car?

Special Registration plates issued due to an Administrative Impound situation must be displayed for at least one year from the date of incident. Additionally if the owner is also the violator, the owner’s driving privileges must be reinstated. In some cases, Special Registration plates must be displayed for much longer than one year.

I have Special Registration (WX-WZ) plates and my license is now valid, when may I get regular plates?

Special registration plates must be displayed for at least one year from the qualifying incident. After the one-year anniversary of the qualifying incident, you may reinstate the regular plates (as long as all owners are valid) at any Deputy Registrar office by paying for registration renewal (if necessary), duplicate plate fee and a reinstatement fee ($50) for each vehicle under impound.

I am under an Order of License Plate Impoundment but I have purchased another car may I get regular plates for the new vehicle?

While your license is revoked and your vehicles are subject to Plate Impound (the plate impound period is at least one year from the date of the qualifying incident), any new or used vehicle purchased during the impound period will be required to display Special Registration plates. You must have a Limited License or a qualified driver to apply for Special Registration plates.

I received a notice of plate impoundment but, I was not driving the vehicle, what can I do?

If you were not the driver and were not a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the incident, you may apply for administrative review.

DVS may only rescind the plate impound order if:

• The driver was valid at the time of the incident and the owner (co-owner, lessee) was not present in the vehicle
  
  
• The vehicle was reported to the police as stolen/ misused (Must have Police Report)
  

These are the only two conditions where DVS is allowed to rescind the Plate Impound Order.

If neither of the above situations is applicable a Judicial Review may be filed in the county in which the violation occurred. Judicial Reviews must be filed within 30 days of the qualifying incident. If the administrative or judicial review results in rescindment of the plate impound order, you will be allowed to apply for new plates at no fee.

My administrative/ judicial review sustained the plate impound order, how can I get plates now?

If either review sustains the impound order you must purchase and display Special Registration plates for continued use of the vehicle. The cost of the plates is $50, plus a filing and registration fee (See a complete list of License Plate Fees for more information). These plates must be displayed at least one-year from the date of the qualifying incident.

I loaned my car to a friend, but didn’t know the driver wasn’t valid, why are my plates impounded?

Any person operating a vehicle must have a valid license. Matters involving a Breach of Trust may be taken up with law enforcement or at Judicial Review.

I loaned my car to a friend, but the driver wasn’t drinking, why are my plates impounded?

Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 169A.60 , if a driver is Canceled Inimical to Public Safety (CANC-IPS) for repeated drug or alcohol violations, the vehicle is subject to plate impoundment (In this case the driver does not have to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol to qualify for plate impoundment).

I loaned my car to a friend, but I never received an impound notice?

The impound notice is given to the driver at the time of the qualifying incident and includes a vehicle copy to remain in the vehicle, alternatively the police may elect to have the notice mailed to your last known address, this meets the statute’s (Minn. Stat. § 169A.60 ) requirement of notification.