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Vehicle

Special registration impound license plates

These plates are commonly called “W plates, “WX/WY” plates or impound plates. 

​Special Registration plates allow a vehicle to be driven by a valid or limited licensed driver when the vehicle is subject to an order of License Plate Impoundment pursuant to Minnesota Statute 169A.60 or Minnesota Statute 168.041.

Plate image

Common license plate impoundment topics​

If your license plates were removed or you have been instructed to remove your plates per an Order of License Plate Impoundment, you should be given a temporary permit. 

If the owner of the vehicle was driving, a 7-day permit will be issued at the time of violation. 

You may purchase special registration plates which allow anyone with a “valid” or “limited” license status to operate the vehicle.

If a non-owner was driving your vehicle, a 45-day permit will be issued at the time of violation.

If the violator was valid at the time of incident and the owner was not a passenger at the time of incident, the owner may apply for an administrative review. You may submit the review in person at your local deputy registrar or by fax or mail. 

Purchasing special registration plates 

Special registration plates may be obtained over the counter at any deputy registrar office or by mail (turnaround by mail may take 2 to 3 weeks): 

Driver and Vehicle Services 

Plate Impound 

445 Minnesota Street  

St. Paul, MN  55101-5166  

The cost of special registration plates is $50.00 plus any registration tax due and a filing fee (surcharge may apply as well). 

Court ordered impound order

Per Minnesota Statute 168.041, if your plates have been ordered impounded by the Courts and permission to obtain Special Registration plates has been granted by the court (court paperwork must be presented) the cost is $25 plus any registration tax due and a filing fee (surcharge may apply as well. 

Judicial review 

If your Administrative Review was denied/sustained, you may choose to file for a Judicial Review. A Judicial Review may be filed in the county in which the violation occurred and must be filed within 60 days of the qualifying incident. If judicial review results in rescindment of the plate impound order, you will be allowed to apply for new plates at no fee.

Related links

Minnesota Statute 169A.20

Minnesota Statute 169A.52

Minnesota Statute 169A.60

Minnesota Statute 171.165

Minnesota Statute 171.24

Minnesota Statute 7 171.04

Request for Administrative Review of License Plate Impoundment Order/Request to Approve Sale of Vehicle Subject to License Plate Impoundment

Application for Special Registration Plates