How To Register a Car in Minnesota

Who Needs Vehicle Registration in Minnesota

Vehicle registration is mandatory for all motor vehicles operated on public roads throughout Minnesota. The Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety enforces these requirements under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 168, which establishes comprehensive regulations for vehicle registration, taxation, and operation within the state.

New Minnesota residents must register their vehicles within 60 days of establishing residency in the state. Residency is established when an individual obtains Minnesota employment, enrolls children in school, registers to vote, or maintains a domicile for more than 60 days. The registration requirement applies immediately if the out-of-state vehicle registration has expired or for commercial trucks and trailers regardless of timing.

Military personnel stationed in Minnesota who maintain legal residency in another state may continue operating vehicles with their home state registration throughout their assignment. Active-duty service members may qualify for vehicle registration tax exemptions under specific circumstances. However, Minnesota residents entering military service must comply with state registration requirements unless they establish legal residency in another jurisdiction.

Students attending Minnesota colleges or universities may retain their out-of-state registration if they do not establish Minnesota residency through employment, voter registration, or other activities demonstrating intent to remain permanently. Full-time students maintaining financial dependence on out-of-state parents typically qualify for this exemption during their educational tenure.

Temporary visitors and tourists may operate vehicles with valid out-of-state registration for visits under 60 days, provided the registration remains current. Business fleets operating vehicles principally based in Minnesota must register all such vehicles regardless of corporate domicile location.

Licensed motor vehicle dealers must register demonstration vehicles, service vehicles, and obtain appropriate dealer plates under Minnesota dealer registration provisions. Interstate commercial carriers may participate in the International Registration Plan (IRP) for vehicles traveling across multiple jurisdictions, allowing proportional registration fees based on mileage distribution among participating states.

What Types of Vehicles Need Registration in Minnesota

Minnesota requires registration for all motor vehicles operated on public roadways, organized by the following categories:

• Passenger vehicles including automobiles, station wagons, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks under 9,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
• Motorcycles and motor scooters regardless of engine displacement or power output
• Commercial vehicles between 9,000 and 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating
• Heavy commercial vehicles exceeding 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating
• Buses used for passenger transportation including school buses, transit vehicles, and charter coaches
• Recreational vehicles including motor homes, travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and camping trailers
• Trailers exceeding 3,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or used for commercial purposes
• Utility trailers under 3,000 pounds gross vehicle weight when titled
• Antique vehicles 20 years or older qualifying for collector status and special registration
• Classic vehicles meeting specific collector criteria with modified operational restrictions

Minnesota establishes vehicle classifications based on gross vehicle weight, design characteristics, and intended usage for fee determination purposes. The state operates a monthly series registration system that distributes renewal dates throughout the year based on license plate assignments rather than owner characteristics.

Farm vehicles operating beyond agricultural property boundaries require standard registration based on weight classifications. Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles follow identical registration requirements as conventional vehicles within their respective weight categories. Specialty vehicles may qualify for collector vehicle plates or other special registration categories with specific operational limitations.

Which Vehicles Are Exempt From Registration in Minnesota

Several vehicle categories operate under exemptions from standard Minnesota registration requirements:

• Farm tractors and agricultural implements operated exclusively for farming activities on agricultural property
• Farm machinery and equipment used solely for agricultural production and processing
• Federal government vehicles operated by authorized federal agencies and departments under official capacity
• Military tactical vehicles owned and operated by the Department of Defense or National Guard units
• Construction equipment and specialized machinery not designed for highway transportation purposes
• Golf carts operated within private communities, golf courses, or designated recreational areas
• All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) registered through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Off-highway motorcycles (OHMs) and off-road vehicles (ORVs) under DNR jurisdiction
• Snowmobiles registered through specialized recreational vehicle programs
• Implements of husbandry operated exclusively for agricultural purposes between farm properties

Minnesota operates extensive recreational vehicle programs through the Department of Natural Resources for off-highway vehicles, ATVs, and snowmobiles. These vehicles require DNR registration and licensing when operated on designated trails, recreational areas, and approved public lands.

Vehicles stored on private property and not operated on public roads are exempt from registration requirements but must be registered before returning to public road use. Government vehicles owned by state agencies, counties, and municipalities may qualify for tax-exempt registration with special license plates and operational designations.

What Do You Need To Register a Car in Minnesota

Minnesota vehicle registration requires specific documentation and payment of applicable fees and taxes:

Required Documentation:

• Completed Application to Title and Register a Motor Vehicle with all sections properly executed
• Proof of ownership through manufacturer's certificate of origin, previous title, or proper bill of sale
• Valid driver's license or state-issued identification card from any U.S. jurisdiction
• Proof of insurance meeting Minnesota minimum coverage requirements
• Odometer disclosure statement for vehicles under 10 years old showing accurate mileage reading
• Lien holder information if applicable, including complete financial institution details

Vehicle Identification Requirements: All out-of-state vehicles require title verification and may need Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection depending on documentation completeness. Minnesota does not require separate safety or emissions inspections for standard passenger vehicle registration.

Insurance Requirements: Minnesota requires [minimum liability insurance](Automobile insurance requirements ) coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $10,000 property damage coverage. Proof of current insurance must be maintained throughout the registration period.

Fees and Taxes:

• Motor vehicle sales tax at 6.875% of purchase price or fair market value
• Title fee of $8.25 for all title applications and transfers
• Registration tax varying by vehicle value and age, calculated annually using state tax tables
• License plate fees of $8.25 for new plates or $5.50 for plate transfers
• Filing fees and administrative costs as determined by deputy registrar offices

Special Considerations: Collector vehicles may qualify for reduced $150 in-lieu sales tax if registered as Collector, Classic, Street Rod, or Pioneer classifications. Military members and qualifying veterans may be eligible for registration tax exemptions under specific statutory provisions.

Where to Register Your Vehicle in Minnesota

Minnesota operates vehicle registration through deputy registrar offices located throughout the state, which are privately operated facilities authorized to conduct DVS transactions on behalf of the state.

Major Deputy Registrar Locations:

Minneapolis DVS Office
300 S 6th St Ste A025, Minneapolis, MN, 55407
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
(612) 348-8240
Minneapolis DVS Office

Saint Paul DVS Office
800 Transfer Road, Suite 30, Saint Paul, MN 55114
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
(651) 292-9791
Saint Paul DVS Office

Brookdale DVS Office
6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
(612) 348-8240
Brookdale DVS Office

Edina(Southdale) DVS Office
1225 Southdale Center, Edina, MN, 55435
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
(612) 348-8240
Edina(Southdale) DVS Office

DVS Central Office
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 195, Saint Paul, MN 55101
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
(651) 297-2126
DVS Central Office

A complete directory is available at the DVS locations page. Minnesota also operates self-service kiosks at retail locations throughout the state for registration renewals and provides specialized exam stations for driver licensing services separate from vehicle registration functions.

Can I Register a Vehicle Online in Minnesota?

Minnesota provides comprehensive online vehicle registration services through the DVS online portal for eligible transactions and customers:

Available Online Services:

• Registration renewals for currently registered Minnesota vehicles in good standing
• Registration status inquiries and payment verification for existing registrations
• Address changes for vehicle registration records and owner information
• Duplicate registration card requests for lost or damaged documents
• Vehicle tax calculation using online estimation tools for planning purposes

Service Limitations: Initial vehicle registration requires in-person processing at deputy registrar offices due to title verification requirements, sales tax collection, and document authentication procedures. Title transfers between parties must be completed in person, as must transactions involving lien changes, ownership corrections, or out-of-state transfers.

Eligibility Requirements: Online registration renewal requires vehicles expiring within 6 months or expired less than 10 months, current Minnesota insurance meeting state requirements, and no outstanding violations or administrative holds on the vehicle or owner's record. The system automatically verifies insurance coverage and registration eligibility before processing transactions.

Customers access online services through the DVS renewal portal using license plate numbers and vehicle identification information. Payment processing accepts major credit cards and electronic bank transfers with applicable convenience fees for certain transaction types.

Processing and Delivery: Online transactions process immediately with confirmation receipts and printable temporary documents. Physical registration cards and license plate tabs mail within 7-10 business days to the registered address. Self-service kiosks provide immediate tab printing at participating retail locations statewide.

When Does Vehicle Registration Expire in Minnesota

Minnesota operates a monthly series registration system where vehicle registrations expire annually on the last day of the month displayed on license plates. This statewide system distributes renewal workload throughout the year based on license plate assignments rather than owner birthdays or registration dates.

Monthly Expiration Schedule: Vehicle registrations expire on the last day of the month shown on the license plate tab. For example, vehicles with plates showing "06" expire on June 30th, while vehicles displaying "12" expire on December 31st. This system applies uniformly to all passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and most commercial vehicles under the monthly series system.

Registration Certificate and Tab Information: Minnesota registration certificates display the complete expiration date including the specific day, month, and year. License plate tabs show only the expiration month as a two-digit number for visual verification by law enforcement and parking officials.

Grace Period Provisions: Minnesota provides a 10-day grace period for displaying new registration tabs when renewed before the expiration date. Vehicles renewed after the expiration month receive no grace period and must display current tabs immediately to avoid violations.

Validity Requirements: Valid registration requires current Minnesota insurance meeting minimum coverage requirements maintained throughout the registration period. Address information must remain accurate, and any changes must be reported to DVS within reasonable timeframes to maintain registration validity.

Expired Registration Consequences: Operating vehicles with expired registration constitutes a petty misdemeanor subject to fines typically around $115 for standard violations. Registration renewal after expiration requires payment of standard fees plus potential late penalties determined by the length of expiration period.

Commercial Vehicle Schedules: International Registration Plan (IRP) vehicles expire on March 1st annually regardless of license plate month assignments. Farm trucks and certain commercial vehicles may operate under quarterly registration systems with different expiration schedules based on seasonal usage patterns and weight classifications.