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Vehicle

Vehicle registration

Minnesota requires all motor vehicles to be registered annually, and the vehicle registration (tabs) expire each year on the last day of the month displayed on your plates. To ensure you received your registration renewal notice, remember to keep your motor vehicle address current. You may update your address for your motor vehicles at a deputy registrar office or online once you have created a “MyDVS” profile. 

All motor vehicles operated on public streets and highways must pay annual registration tax. This tax is collected by Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), paid into the state treasury and credited to the highway user tax distribution fund. For more information about registration tax, please reference Minnesota Statute 168.013.  

How much is my registration tax? 

Use Estimate My Vehicle Registration Tax to determine the approximate registration tax due. You can also visit your local deputy registrar or email DVS at DVS.motor.vehicles@state.mn.us.  

The registration amount cannot increase from the amount paid the previous year. 

Why did I receive new license plates with my renewal? 

All passenger plates must be replaced if they are seven years old or older at the time of registration renewal or will become so during the registration period, per Minnesota Statute 168.12. 

New Residents

New residents have 60 days to register their passenger vehicle, motorcycle, utility trailer or house trailer. You must register the vehicle immediately if the registration is expired or it is a commercial trailer or truck.  

Fees due with each registration renewal 

The motor vehicle fees page lists updated fees and taxes. 

You will receive a registration renewal notice in the mail or by email before your vehicle’s current registration expires. The renewal notice lists the specific fees and taxes for your vehicle. 

View the Wheelage Tax page for a list of counties where wheelage tax is collected. 

Please refer to the motor vehicle fees page for more information. 

Common registration taxes

Duplicate registration stickers 

When registration stickers are lost, stolen or defaced, duplicate replacement stickers will be issued. If stickers were not received by mail within 60 days, the duplicate stickers will be issued at no fee. You may apply for duplicate stickers at any motor vehicle deputy registrar or you may apply online.  Please reference Minnesota Statute 168.29 for more information. 

Automobile insurance requirements 

The Minnesota No-Fault Act (Minnesota Statute 65B.48) requires motor vehicle owners to maintain "no fault insurance." The law means it's a crime for an owner to operate (or permit operation) of uninsured motorcycles or motor vehicles on public roads and highways.  

Violations may result in fines, imprisonment, or revocation of driving privileges, or any combination of these penalties. Proof of insurance must be in the vehicle at all times and shown to law enforcement upon demand per Minnesota Statute 169.791

Please visit the Minnesota Department of Commerce Website to find more resources on purchasing automobile insurance in Minnesota. 

Related links 

Vehicle fees

Minnesota Statute 168.013 

Definition of Passenger Vehicle  

To register your watercraft, snowmobile or ATV, visit a participating DVS deputy registrar location.