Minnesota registration fees depend on your vehicle's age, weight, and whether you're registering it for the first time or renewing
Minnesota charges a base registration fee that varies by vehicle type, plus additional fees for things like the HVUT (Heavy Vehicle Use Tax) if your vehicle weighs over 55,000 pounds, and local wheel tax in some counties. A standard passenger car costs less to register than a truck or commercial vehicle. The state also charges a $5 title fee when you first register a vehicle, and a $3 title transfer fee if you're buying a used car from someone else.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services division sets these fees and collects them through deputy registrars — the county offices where you actually go to register your car. Fees are the same statewide for the state portion, but some counties add a local wheel tax on top, which ranges from $5 to $20 per year depending on where you live.
Registration is valid for one or two years depending on what you choose at renewal time. Most people renew annually, though you can pay for two years upfront if you prefer. The fee structure stays the same whether you renew in person, by mail, or online through the state's system.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota's base registration fee for a passenger car is set by the state, but your actual total cost depends on your vehicle's weight and your county's local wheel tax.
- You pay a $5 title fee when registering a vehicle for the first time in Minnesota, and a $3 title transfer fee when buying a used car.
- Some counties charge a wheel tax of $5 to $20 per year on top of the state registration fee, so your total cost varies by location.
- You can renew your registration for one or two years at a time, and the per-year cost is the same either way.
How Minnesota calculates the base registration fee
The base fee depends on your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) — the maximum weight the vehicle is designed to carry, not what it actually weighs. A passenger car with a GVWR under 4,000 pounds pays a lower base fee than a pickup truck or SUV rated for 6,000 pounds or more. The state publishes a fee schedule that shows the exact amount for each weight class.
Motorcycles, mopeds, and trailers have their own fee schedules, all lower than cars. A motorcycle typically costs significantly less to register than a four-wheel vehicle. Trailers under 2,000 pounds have a flat rate, while heavier trailers move into higher brackets.
The base fee covers your registration certificate and license plates (or a renewal sticker if you're keeping your existing plates). If you need replacement plates because yours are damaged or lost, there's an additional $20 fee for each set.
What the wheel tax is and which counties charge it
A wheel tax is a local fee that some Minnesota counties add to your registration bill. It's not a state fee — it's collected by the county and stays in the county to fund road maintenance and public transportation. Not all counties charge it, and the amount varies widely. Some counties charge $5 per year, others charge $20, and a few charge amounts in between.
You can find out whether your county charges a wheel tax by contacting your county auditor's office or the deputy registrar where you register your vehicle. The wheel tax appears as a separate line item on your registration bill, so you'll see exactly what you're paying for state registration and what you're paying for the local tax.
If you move to a different county during your registration period, you don't owe the new county's wheel tax until your registration renews. The wheel tax is due only when you register or renew.
Title fees for new registrations and transfers
When you register a vehicle in Minnesota for the first time — whether it's new or used — you pay a $5 title fee. This covers the cost of issuing your title certificate, which proves you own the vehicle. The title fee is separate from the registration fee and is charged only once per vehicle, not every year.
If you buy a used car from a private seller or dealer, you also pay a $3 title transfer fee to move the title into your name. This is in addition to the $5 title fee if the vehicle has never been registered in Minnesota before. If you're trading in a vehicle and the dealer handles the paperwork, the dealer usually collects these fees from you as part of the transaction.
If your title is lost or damaged, you can request a duplicate for a $5 fee. This is the same fee as a new title, and it's processed through the same Deputy Registrar office where you register your vehicle.
HVUT and other fees for heavy vehicles
If your vehicle has a GVWR over 55,000 pounds, you owe the federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) in addition to your Minnesota registration fee. This is a federal tax, not a state fee, but you pay it through Minnesota's registration system. The HVUT is $100 to $550 per year depending on your vehicle's weight, and it's due every time you register or renew.
Commercial vehicles and vehicles used for hire may also owe a commercial registration fee on top of the base fee. A taxi, rideshare vehicle, or delivery truck pays more than a personal-use vehicle of the same weight. If you use your vehicle for business, ask the deputy registrar whether a commercial fee applies to you.
Vehicles registered as farm trucks or for certain other special uses may may have access to for a lower fee or an exemption. These are determined on a case-by-case basis, so bring documentation of how you use the vehicle if you think you might may have access to.
How to renew your registration and when it expires
Your registration expires on the date printed on your registration certificate and your license plate tabs. Minnesota sends renewal notices by mail about 30 days before expiration. You can renew in person at any Deputy Registrar office, by mail by returning the renewal notice with payment, or online through the Minnesota Secretary of State's website if your vehicle is may be able to access.
Not all vehicles can renew online — commercial vehicles, vehicles with liens, and some other categories must renew in person or by mail. The renewal notice you receive will tell you which methods are available for your vehicle.
You can renew up to 90 days before your registration expires. If you renew early, your new registration period starts on the day your current registration ends, so you don't lose any time. If you renew after expiration, you may owe a late fee in addition to the regular renewal fee.
Registering a vehicle you just bought
When you buy a new or used car, you have 10 days to register it in Minnesota. You'll need the title or bill of sale, proof of insurance, and your driver's license. If you're buying from a dealer, they usually handle the paperwork and collect the fees from you. If you're buying from a private seller, you go to the Deputy Registrar yourself.
The fees for a new registration include the base registration fee, the $5 title fee (if it's new to Minnesota), the $3 title transfer fee (if you're buying used), any local wheel tax, and any HVUT if applicable. The total can range from around $50 for a light passenger car to several hundred dollars for a heavy truck, depending on weight and location.
If you buy a vehicle out of state and move it to Minnesota, you must register it within 10 days of establishing residency. You'll pay the same fees as if you bought it in Minnesota, including the title transfer fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register my car every year in Minnesota?
No. You can choose to register for one year or two years at renewal time. The per-year cost is the same either way, so a two-year registration just means you renew less often. You'll still need to renew your insurance every year regardless of your registration period.
What happens if I register my car late?
If you register after your previous registration expires, you owe a late fee in addition to the regular registration fee. The amount of the late fee depends on how long you've been expired. It's best to renew before the expiration date on your certificate.
Can I transfer my license plates to a new vehicle?
Yes. Minnesota allows you to keep your current plates when you buy a new vehicle, as long as you register the new vehicle within 10 days. You'll pay the registration fee for the new vehicle, but you won't pay for new plates. The old plates stay with you.
Does Minnesota charge sales tax on top of registration fees?
No. Registration fees are separate from sales tax. You pay sales tax on the vehicle purchase itself, but registration fees are a flat amount set by the state and county, not a percentage of the vehicle's value.
What if I sell my car — do I get a refund on registration?
No. Registration fees are not refundable. Once you've paid for a registration period, you keep it even if you sell the vehicle before the period ends. The new owner will need to register the vehicle in their name and will pay their own registration fees.