What Minnesota license plates are and where to get them

A Minnesota license plate is the metal tag the state requires you to display on the front and back of your vehicle. It shows your vehicle registration number, which connects your car to your name and address in the state's system. You get your first plate when you register a new or used vehicle with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, and you keep the same number for as long as you own that vehicle — unless you request a different one.

The state issues plates through the Driver and Vehicle Services division. You can obtain plates in person at a Deputy Registrar office (usually located in city halls, county offices, or private businesses), by mail if you are renewing, or online for certain transactions. Most people get their plates when they register their vehicle for the first time, but you will also need new plates if yours are damaged, stolen, or if you want to switch to a different design.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota requires one plate on the front and one on the back of your vehicle, and both must be clearly visible and unobstructed.
  • Standard plates expire every four years, and the expiration date is printed on a sticker on the back plate.
  • You can renew plates by mail, online, or in person at a Deputy Registrar office, depending on your situation.
  • Specialty plates — including environmental, military, and organizational designs — are available but cost more than standard plates and have different renewal rules.
  • If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement at any Deputy Registrar office or through the mail.

Standard plates versus specialty plates

Minnesota offers two main categories of plates: standard and specialty. A standard plate is the regular blue-and-white design with your registration number. It costs the same as your vehicle registration fee and is what most drivers use. The plate itself does not expire — you keep the same metal plate for years — but your registration does expire every four years, and you display an expiration sticker on the back plate to show you have renewed.

A specialty plate is a design that represents a cause, organization, or interest. Minnesota offers dozens of options, including environmental plates (showing a loon or prairie), military and veteran plates, college and university plates, and organizational plates (such as those supporting wildlife or historical societies). Specialty plates cost more than standard registration — the exact amount varies by plate design — and a portion of the fee goes to the organization the plate supports. You renew specialty plates the same way you renew standard ones, but you must renew the specialty designation at the same time you renew your registration, or you will receive a standard plate instead.

How to renew your plates

Plate renewal happens at the same time as vehicle registration renewal. Minnesota sends you a renewal notice by mail about 30 days before your registration expires. The notice tells you your expiration date and how much you owe. You have three ways to renew: by mail, online, or in person.

Renewing by mail: Fill out the renewal form that came with your notice, include payment, and mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes about two weeks. You will receive a new expiration sticker in the mail, which you place on the back plate. You do not receive a new metal plate unless you request one.

Renewing online: Visit the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services website and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. You can renew if your address has not changed and you do not need a new plate. Payment is by credit or debit card. You will receive your expiration sticker by mail within about a week.

Renewing in person: Visit any Deputy Registrar office with your renewal notice, proof of insurance, and payment. You can renew when ready and receive your sticker on the spot. This is the fastest option if you need to renew right away.

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged plate

If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement. You will receive a new metal plate with the same registration number. If your plate was stolen, you should report the theft to local police and bring the police report number when you request the replacement — this protects you in case the stolen plate is used on another vehicle.

To replace a plate, visit a Deputy Registrar office in person or mail a request to Driver and Vehicle Services. In person, bring your driver's license, proof of vehicle ownership (title or registration), and payment. By mail, send a letter stating your plate number, vehicle information, and the reason for replacement, along with payment. In-person replacement is faster — you receive the new plate the same day. By mail, allow two to three weeks.

If your plate was damaged in an accident or by weather, you do not need a police report, but you should bring the damaged plate with you if you are replacing it in person, so the office can see the damage.

Personalized and vanity plates

Minnesota allows you to request a personalized plate — a custom combination of letters and numbers instead of the standard registration number assigned by the state. Personalized plates cost more than standard plates and must be renewed every two years instead of four. You can request a personalized plate when you first register your vehicle or during any renewal.

To request a personalized plate, visit a Deputy Registrar office or use the online system on the Driver and Vehicle Services website. You enter your desired combination, and the system tells you when ready whether it is available. The state rejects combinations that are offensive, too similar to existing plates, or that spell out words the state considers inappropriate. If your requested combination is taken or rejected, you can try another one at no extra cost.

What happens if you do not renew

If your registration and plate expiration sticker expire and you do not renew, your vehicle registration becomes invalid. Driving with an expired registration is a violation, and a police officer can stop you and issue a citation. An expired registration can also affect your ability to renew your driver's license or obtain other state services.

If you miss your renewal date, you can still renew at any time by visiting a Deputy Registrar office, mailing in a renewal form, or renewing online. There is no penalty for renewing late as long as you renew before you drive the vehicle again. However, if you have been driving with an expired registration, you may receive a citation that you will need to address separately.

Finding a Deputy Registrar office near you

Deputy Registrar offices are located throughout Minnesota and handle all vehicle registration and plate transactions. They are usually found in city halls, county offices, or private businesses like insurance agencies. The Driver and Vehicle Services website has a searchable map where you can enter your city or zip code and find the nearest office, along with hours and phone numbers.

Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require appointments, especially for complex transactions. It is a good idea to call ahead or check the office website before you visit. Bring your driver's license, proof of vehicle ownership, proof of insurance, and payment. Processing times vary by office, but most transactions take 15 to 30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a front and back plate, or just one?

Minnesota law requires both a front and back plate on all vehicles. Both plates must be clearly visible and unobstructed. If you lose or damage one plate, you should replace it as soon as possible to stay in compliance.

Can I keep my plate number if I sell my vehicle?

No. When you sell your vehicle, the plate stays with the vehicle and transfers to the new owner. If you buy a different vehicle, you receive a new registration number and new plates. However, if you purchase a personalized plate, you can transfer it to a new vehicle you own by visiting a Deputy Registrar office.

What if I move to a different state?

If you move out of Minnesota permanently, you should notify Driver and Vehicle Services and surrender your Minnesota plates. You will need to register your vehicle in your new state and obtain plates there. If you move temporarily but keep your Minnesota residence, you can keep your Minnesota plates.

How much does a replacement plate cost?

A replacement standard plate costs the same as your annual registration fee, which varies based on your vehicle's weight and type. Specialty plate replacements cost more. The Deputy Registrar office can tell you the exact cost when you request the replacement.

Can I order plates online and have them mailed to me?

You can renew your registration and request an expiration sticker online, but you cannot order a new metal plate online. If you need a new metal plate, you must visit a Deputy Registrar office in person or mail a request to Driver and Vehicle Services.