This winter, make sure your tabs stick around
Jan. 25, 2021
The cold, snowy Minnesota winters seem to affect everything we do – driving our cars and heating our homes, for example. It can even affect how we display our vehicles’ registration. If your tabs are up for renewal in the winter months, you may need to take some extra steps to make sure they stay put on your license plate.
Cold temperatures, road salt or slush residue can prevent your sticker from properly adhering. As always, you’ll want to clean the area where you’re placing the sticker with soap and water or glass cleaner. You may consider warming up the license plate before putting the sticker on, too. You can do this by bringing a hair dryer out to wherever your car is, or by detaching the license plate from your vehicle and bringing it inside for a few minutes.
If your sticker doesn’t stay on, or falls off later, you can get a replacement tab for $12.50 (that’s a $1.50 duplicate sticker fee plus an $11 filing fee). Fortunately, with the launch of the new vehicle services system, you don’t have to request a duplicate sticker in person. You can do so online at drive.mn.gov. Then:
Select Request Duplicate Plate/Stickers/Reg Card.
Follow the prompts.
Pay the $12.50 fee ($1.50 duplicate sticker fee, $11 filing fee).
Receive your stickers in the mail 7-10 days later.
You can also purchase replacement stickers at your local deputy registrar office – the same fees apply. These offices are independently owned and operated and might require an appointment while others offer walk-in service. It’s best to find out before you go, which you can do by visiting the DVS office locations page.
Replacing your Minnesota vehicle tabs during the winter months doesn’t have to be difficult. With some advance planning and a little extra care, it won’t be. The bonus? You won’t have to think about it for another year.
