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Commercial vehicles: Mandatory Inspection Program (MIP)

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Basic information about the MIP 

What vehicles must be inspected?

Minnesota Statute 169.781 requires commercial motor vehicles to be inspected annually and display an annual inspection decal. For purposes of the annual inspection, a commercial motor vehicle is one of the following: 

  • a vehicle or combination of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight greater than 26,000 pounds
  • a bus 
  • a vehicle, regardless of size, that transports a quantity of hazardous materials requiring the vehicle to display placards 
  • a self-propelled special mobile equipment mounted on a commercial motor vehicle chassis with a gross vehicle weight more than 26,000 pounds 

Minnesota-registered vehicles housed in other states 

A Minnesota-registered commercial motor vehicle housed and maintained in another state that has been inspected in accordance with federal regulations may be eligible for a certificate of compliance. Note: All Certificate of Compliance requests must be reviewed by Minnesota State Patrol inspectors. They are not available for same-day pick up. 

Covered farm vehicles 

A covered farm vehicle (CFV) is not required to be inspected or display an annual inspection decal. However, if requested by the owner, a certified inspector may conduct an inspection and affix an official annual inspection decal.​ 

A covered farm vehicle means a single unit or articulated commercial motor vehicle that meets the following criteria: 

  • Displays a farm license plate or other designation* issued by a state  
  • Is operated by a farmer, or a family member or employee of the farmer 
  • Transports agricultural commodities, livestock, machinery or supplies to or from a farm 
  • Is not used in for-hire carrier operations 
  • Does not transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring the vehicle to display placards 
  • When the gross vehicle weight (GVW) is 26,001 pounds or less, is operated anywhere in the United States 
  • When the GVW is greater than 26,001 pounds, is operated wholly within its state of registry, or when crossing state lines, is operated within 150 miles of the farm 

*Vehicles displaying Minnesota apportioned, truck class or passenger class license plates, and meeting all other qualifications for a CFV, may complete, print and carry a CFV self-designation form. The form must be carried in the vehicle and displayed upon demand by enforcement personnel. 

Who may perform an annual inspection?​

A required inspection may be performed only by the following: 

  • An employee of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) or Transportation (MnDOT) who has been certified by the commissioner of public safety after having received training provided by the State Patrol 
  • Another person who is not an employee of DPS or MnDOT certified by the commissioner if the person is: 
    • An owner, or employee of the owner, of one or more commercial motor vehicles that are power units 
    • A dealer licensed under section 168.27 and engaged in the business of buying and selling commercial motor vehicles, or an employee of the dealer 
    • Engaged in the business of repairing and servicing commercial motor vehicles 
    • Employed by a governmental agency that owns commercial vehicles 

How do I become a certified inspector? 

The Minnesota State Patrol partners with several technical colleges and the Minnesota Trucking Association to provide inspector certification and re-certification courses. To register for a class, see the current certification course schedule. 

How often do I need to get re-certified? 

Inspectors are required to re-certify every two years. You must complete re-certification before the expiration date of your certification. Once your certification expires, you are no longer able to perform inspections. If you do not successfully complete a recertification course within six months following the expiration of your certification, you must successfully complete the full certification course to be reinstated.  

How do I get re-certified? 

To register for recertification, contact the approved course provider on the training provider page

I have additional questions. Whom can I ask  questions about annual inspections, certification or re-certification? 

For answers to your MIP or certification/re-certification questions, call 651-350-2000, option 2, or contact Lt. Dave Hanson at david.hanson@state.mn.us or call 651-247-6468.​​​​​   

MIP resources and updates

Certified Inspector Handbook 

The 2024 Certified Inspector Student Handbook is available. If you are a certified inspector, we recommend that you have download a cop​y of the handbook​

Updates from the previous year’s handbook are noted on the MIP updates webpage.  

Ordering decals 

Complete a decal order form​ and specify for what year you are requesting decals. It is preferred, but not required, that you complete the form electronically,​ then print it.  

2024 decals will be available starting December 1, 2023. 

MIP decals may be ordered by U.S. Mail or purchased in-person​ at our public service window. We are located at 1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 410, Mendota Heights, MN 55120.​​​​ Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.​, Monday-Friday (excluding holidays). Large transactions are not available for immediate pick-up; you may be asked to leave your order for processing, then notified once your order is completed and ready for pick-up. 

For the security of all parties, credit card orders for inspection decals must be made in-person or via U.S. Mail. To protect your credit card and personal information, email and faxed orders cannot be accepted. 

Current forms and publications​ 

Only the following forms are accepted. Outdated forms are not accepted. 

The following PDF forms may not be filled out online. Where applicable, they may be filled out, printed, and mailed or emailed to the addresses indicated on the forms.