How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Minnesota in 2025
Vehicle registration in Minnesota involves multiple components: base registration taxes, plate fees, processing fees, local county wheelage taxes, and title fees. Registration costs vary significantly based on vehicle type, age, value, and the county where the vehicle is registered.
Base Registration Fees by Vehicle Type
Minnesota calculates registration taxes differently for various vehicle categories. The state uses a combination of flat fees and value-based calculations depending on the vehicle type and age.
Passenger Vehicles
| Vehicle Age | Registration Tax Formula | Minimum Tax |
|---|---|---|
| New to 10 years old | $10 + 1.25% of base value* | $35 |
| Over 10 years old | Flat fee | $30 |
*Base value is the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) including destination charges
Motorcycles and Other Vehicles
| Vehicle Type | Annual Registration Tax |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle | $10 |
| Moped | $6 |
| Bus (Second Class City) | $2 |
| Bus (Private School) | $25 |
| Semi-trailer | No annual registration tax |
Electric Vehicle Surcharge
All electric vehicles are subject to an additional $75 annual surcharge on top of the standard registration tax.
Truck Registration
Commercial trucks are taxed based on gross vehicle weight, with rates varying from $8 to $32 annually for commercial trailers depending on weight classification. Farm trucks and other specialized vehicles have specific rate structures detailed in the Minnesota Motor Vehicle Tax Manual.
Local and County Fees
Wheelage Tax
Minnesota allows counties to impose a wheelage tax ranging from $10 to $20 annually. As of January 1, 2025, 53 counties participate in the wheelage tax program.
Counties Charging $20 Wheelage Tax
Benton, Brown, Carver, Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Mille Lacs, Nicollet, Otter Tail, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Rice, Sherburne, Steele, Wabasha, Washington
Counties Charging $15 Wheelage Tax
Carlton, Pipestone, Stevens, Watonwan
#Counties Charging $10 Wheelage Tax
Big Stone, Chippewa, Chisago*, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Faribault, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Martin, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted*, Pennington, Renville, Rock, Scott, Sibley, Stearns, Swift, Waseca*
*Chisago, Olmsted, and Waseca counties will increase to $20 beginning January 1, 2026.
Mandatory Processing Fees
Several administrative fees are required for all vehicle transactions processed through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
| Fee Type | Amount | When Applied |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee (renewal) | $8 | Each registration renewal |
| Filing fee (new registration) | $12 | New registrations, duplicates, temporary permits |
| Technology surcharge | $2.25 | Each title and registration transaction |
| Local office surcharge | $1 | Transactions at deputy registrar locations |
Title Fees
Minnesota requires separate title fees for vehicle ownership documentation.
| Transaction Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $8.25 |
| Duplicate title | $7.25 |
| Transfer tax | $10 |
| Late transfer penalty | $2 |
| Public Safety Vehicle (PSV) fee | $3.50 |
| Grant of security interest (lien) | $2 |
| Assignment of security interest | $2 |
| Expedited processing (optional) | $20 |
Plate Fees
License plate fees vary by vehicle type and configuration.
| Plate Type | Double Plates | Single Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger vehicle | $15.50 | $13.50* |
| Truck | $15.50 | $13.50 |
| Motorcycle/Moped | N/A | $13.50 |
| Trailer | N/A | $13.50 |
| Duplicate plates | $15.50 | $13.50 |
*Single plates are only available for vehicles model year 1972 or earlier, pioneer/classic vehicles, or collector class registrations.
Special plates require additional contribution fees ranging from $10 to $100 annually. Personalized plates require a one-time $100 fee.
Regional Variations
Minnesota does not require vehicle emissions testing. The state's emissions testing program ended in 1999, eliminating any regional inspection requirements or associated fees.
No counties in Minnesota require special safety inspections for passenger vehicles beyond the standard registration process.
