Frequently Asked Questions

Are there times I won’t be allowed to renew registration? Yes. There will be certain instances in which drivers will not be allowed to renew car registration in Minnesota. In these cases, residents must take action to resolve these issues before they can renew documentation.

The specific situations are listed below:

• You have unpaid tickets or taxes.
• You have an outstanding warrant.
• Your vehicle registration was lost, stolen or destroyed before the renewal period began.

Can somebody else renew my registration for me? No. The state of Minnesota asks that only the owners of a vehicle request MN car registration renewal documents. This is done to limit the possibility of identity theft within the DVS. Fortunately, Driver and Vehicle Services offer drivers a number of ways to renew documentation. Residents may renew car registration online, in person or by mail.

• Seaplanes
• Duck boats, employed during duck season
• Rice boats, employed during harvest time
• Documented vessels
• Lifeboats of ships
• United States government-owned vessels that are not used for recreational purposes
• Any boat that is registered in another state and that will not be in MN for more than 90 consecutive days
• Any boat that is registered in another county and that will not be in MN for more than 90 consecutive days

Do I need to file a police report if my registration was lost or stolen? No, you are not required to do so. However, Driver and Vehicles Services of Minnesota does recommend that you contact law enforcement if you believe that your MN car registration has been stolen. The good news is that it is not too difficult to go through the process. Visit a local law enforcement department office and speak directly to an officer about the issue at hand. He or she will provide any necessary paperwork for you to fill out and you can be on your way.

Do I need to return my license plate if I move out of the state? When you are moving outside the state of Minnesota, there are a number of steps that you will have to take. You must contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in the state that you are moving to. You will have to apply for new credentials at your new state, and you will have to close your accounts within Minnesota. For one, your MN car insurance policy must be canceled. When it comes to your license plates, it is recommended that you contact your local DVS office to find out if you should turn them in.

Do I need to turn in my damaged registration? It can be very dangerous to leave a damaged but legible Minnesota vehicle registration lying around. If it were to fall into the hands of another driver, they would have a good deal of your personal information. That is why Driver and Vehicles Services offices recommend drivers to turn in damaged registration documents when applying for a car registration replacement. All you have to do is bring it in so that the department can dispose of it.

Drivers can also do this for lost registration documents that are found after a copy has been issued.

Does a motorized scooter need to be registered? Yes. In the state of Minnesota, motorized scooters must be titled and registered just like passenger vehicles. To do so, visit a Driver and Vehicle Services location. In addition to the initial MN auto registration, these vehicles must have their documents renewed annually just like a standard passenger car, and they must have the minimum liability insurance amounts required by the state to operate a vehicle.

Does my vehicle qualify for a smog inspection? Although the state of Minnesota is a proponent for minimizing pollution in the air within their state, Driver and Vehicle Services no longer requires smog or car inspections of any vehicles. It does not matter what kind of car you drive or how old it is, you are not required to take in your vehicle to a station to have it looked over for safety purposes. It is your responsibility to determine whether or not your car is safe to drive.

• Online
• By mail
• In person

Renew Car Registration Online

Online renewal can be done up to 10 months after registration expiration. It can also be performed up to six months before passenger vehicle registration expiration and three months before pickup truck or motorcycle documentation expiration.

The process to renew online is as follows:

• Visit the DVS renewal portal.
• Provide your license plate number and the last three digits of your VIN.
• Make sure your personal information is correct.
  • You can change your address, if necessary.

  Renew Car Registration by Mail

  If you received a renewal notice in the mail, you are eligible to submit your forms in this manner. Simply make sure that the information on the notice is accurate and mail in payment (check or money order) to:

  DVS Renewal P.O. Box 64587 St. Paul, MN 55164

  Renew Car Registration in Person

  In order to renew in person, visit a Deputy Registrar office and provide the following:

  • Your current MN auto registration
  • Proof of auto insurance
  • Payment for renewal fees

  How can I transfer my registration to another state? The process to transfer car registration documents to another state varies from one location to another. If you are moving to another state and want to find out specific information on how a transfer must be approached, the best way to do so is by contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles within your new state government. In addition to procedures, you will find that fees and taxes will also vary from state to state.

  • A completed Application for Disability Parking Certificate
    • The medical certification section needs to be filled out by a licensed physician.
    • Temporary placard: $5
    • Long-term placard: Free

    How do I file a police report if my car registration was stolen? When dealing with a stolen car registration, Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services recommends that you file a police report. However, this is not a state requirement. In addition, the DVS of Minnesota will not cover your replacement costs for filing this report. In any case, submitting this information is simple. Just visit your local police department and speak to an office about the problem. Ask them what paperwork is required and follow their specific instructions in order to file the official report.

    • A current MN drivers license
    • License plate number
    • VIN
    • Vehicle description

    Applying for duplicate tabs (stickers) is a different process. Applicants can request stickers in person at the Deputy Registrar office or by mail (with an Application for Duplicate Plates and/or Stickers), as long as they provide the necessary payment.

    • A completed Application to Title/Register a Vehicle
      • Proof of car insurance, such as:
      • An insurance card
      • A copy of your coverage policy
      • The current title
      • The current registration card
      • Minnesota drivers license OR
      • One primary (birth certificate) and one secondary proof of ID (Social Security card)

      If I do not renew on time, will there be an additional fee? No, there will not. The state of Minnesota does not impose late fees or any such punishments to drivers who do not renew car registration on time. However, a resident can be pulled over by the police. If a law enforcement officer catches you with expired tabs, and it is at least 10 days into the month after your expiration month, you will be fined. So be sure to renew your registration within the appropriate time frame to avoid such penalties.

      Is there a different process I must follow if I lost personalized plates? Yes, there is a different process that must be followed. In the event you lost standard license plates, you must file a standard application for duplicate plates. However, if your plates were personalized and of a special variety, then Driver and Vehicle Services requires that you submit an Application for Special Plates. Be sure to check off the appropriate answer in Section G to show that your plates were lost, stolen or damaged. In addition, the cost for personalized plates is higher than that of standard ones, and it varies based on the plate in question.

      Should I carry the registration on me or in the car? Yes. Your Minnesota car registration is one of the most important driving documents that you own. Thus, it should always be in your car and accessible in the case of an emergency. One situation in which you would be required to provide your vehicle registration in Minnesota is if you are pulled over by a police officer for committing a moving violation. Showing the registration document proves that the vehicle is registered with the state. With your name featured on the paperwork, it also shows that you are the car s rightful owner.

      • You lost your current car registration.
      • Your active vehicle registration was stolen.
      • Your current registration documents are damaged and illegible or destroyed.

      What are the required fees for my vehicle registration? When it comes to how much money one must pay in order to obtain a Minnesota vehicle registration for their car, the fees vary. Depending on the weight of the vehicle, its age, the county where it is being registered and a number of other factors, drivers can pay a wide variety of prices including taxes. In order to find out specific information about your registration cost, you can either call 651-297-2126 or get in contact with a local Deputy Registrar office.

      • Duplicate tabs: $1
      • Filing fee: $10
      • Filing fee: $6
      • Wheelage fee: $10
        • Only certain counties charge this fee.
        • This does not apply in instances where title is being transferred.

        To get an accurate idea of what it will cost to renew your car s registration, contact the DVS office.

        What documents do I need to present to get a replacement car registration? In order to replace car registration in Minnesota, residents must provide certain pieces of information. When applying in person for a replacement registration card, one must bring a current drivers license, license plate number and VIN number. On the other hand, when applying for replacement registration stickers, there is an option that allows drivers to submit their request by mail. If you choose to do so, you only need to fill out the Application for Duplicate Plates and/or Stickers.

        • A filled out Application to Title/Register a Vehicle
        • Proof of car insurance, such as:
          • A car insurance card
          • A copy of your policy
          • Car title
          • Car registration card
          • Minnesota driving license OR
          • One primary (birth certificate) and one secondary proof of identification (Social Security card)

          What documents do I need to present to renew my car registration? When visiting a Deputy Registrar office to renew car registration credentials, you must provide a few documents. First, you must bring your current MN auto registration. In addition to proof of registration, drivers must also provide proof of auto insurance. When renewing online, however, you do not need to provide the same information. Only your license plate number and the last three digits of your VIN are required.

          What should I do if I have not received my registration tags or stickers? It can take some time to receive a renewed vehicle registration. Whether you apply online or by mail, MN Driver and Vehicle Services asks that you wait at least 10 business days for your documents to arrive. However, if it does not make it to your home by that time, you must act. For the simplest resolution, contact the local Deputy Registrar office. A representative will be able to tell when you can expect to receive your renewed credentials.

          When does my car registration expire? Minnesota car registration documents expire every single year. If you are not sure when yours are set to become inactive, there are a few ways to check. First, look at your current tabs for the month. The second way is to wait for the auto registration renewal notice to come in the mail. This notification will let you know about the due date, due fees and how your name appears on your current registration.

          Where can I find a local tax county collector office? The Deputy Registrar office is where one must go to perform any action related to Minnesota car registration. This includes applying for new, renewed and placement documentation. In order to make matters more convenient for the residents of the state, these offices are located from county to county. Thus, finding one is as simple as contacting Driver and Vehicle Services and speaking to a representative. For issues related to drivers licenses, residents should visit a DVS office.

          Will I need to fill out an application to replace my car registration? The answer to this question depends on the documents that you want to replace. If you would like to obtain a duplicate car registration card, then you do not need to fill out a specific form. Simply visit a Deputy Registrar office with your drivers license and vehicle information. However, for drivers who want to obtain registration stickers or license plate replacements, it is absolutely necessary to fill out a form. It is appropriately called the Application for Duplicate Plates and/or Stickers.

          • Your name as it appears on the registration
          • Your renew car registration fees
          • The month in which you must renew

          Regarding how soon you are able to renew your documentation, you may do so the day that you receive the renewal notice in the mail.

          Will my registration expire on my birthday or birth month? Minnesota car registration documents expire each year. Thus, they must be renewed annually in order to maintain driving privileges. In terms of when they expire, there are a few different ways to find out the exact date. For the month in which you must renew, check your current auto registration tabs. Otherwise, read the renewal notice that you receive in the mail. This notice will say exactly when renewal is required by.