What Minnesota license plate options are available

Minnesota offers three main categories of license plates: standard plates with randomly assigned numbers and letters, personalized plates where you choose the characters, and specialty plates that support specific causes or organizations. Standard plates are included with your vehicle registration at no extra cost. Personalized plates cost an additional $75 when you first order them, then $50 each renewal cycle. Specialty plates typically add $25 to $50 per year on top of your base registration fee, with the extra money going to the supporting organization or cause.

You can order any of these plates through the Minnesota Secretary of State's office online, by mail, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. The process differs slightly depending on which type you choose, and some specialty plates have specific requirements beyond just paying the fee.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Minnesota plates come free with registration; personalized plates cost $75 initially and $50 at each renewal.
  • Personalized plates let you choose up to seven characters, but the Secretary of State rejects plates with offensive language or that duplicate existing plates.
  • Specialty plates support causes like wildlife conservation, military service, and higher education, with the extra fee going to those organizations.
  • You can switch between standard and personalized plates at any time, but changing your personalized plate design requires paying the full $75 fee again.
  • Temporary plates are available if you need to drive before your permanent plates arrive, and you can order replacements if yours are damaged or stolen.

Standard Minnesota plates and when to keep them

Standard plates are the default option and cost nothing beyond your regular registration fee. The Minnesota Secretary of State assigns a random combination of letters and numbers, and you receive them automatically when you register a vehicle. These plates are white with blue lettering and the state name across the top.

Most drivers keep standard plates because there is no reason to change them. They work identically to personalized plates for all legal purposes — registration, traffic enforcement, parking, and toll collection. If you do not care about displaying a custom message or supporting a specific cause, standard plates are the practical choice.

You can request a replacement standard plate if yours is damaged, faded, or stolen. Contact your local DVS office or order online through the Secretary of State's website. Replacement plates cost around $10 to $15.

Personalized plates: choosing your own characters

Personalized plates let you select up to seven characters — letters, numbers, or a combination. You might use initials, a nickname, a hobby reference, or any other combination you want, as long as it is not already taken by another Minnesota driver and does not violate the Secretary of State's content rules.

The Secretary of State rejects personalized plate requests that contain profanity, slurs, or language deemed offensive. They also reject plates that could be confused with standard government plates or that impersonate official agencies. If your first choice is rejected, you can submit up to three alternatives in a single request.

Order personalized plates online through the Secretary of State's website, by mail using form PS 4-1, or at a DVS office. The initial cost is $75, and you pay $50 at each renewal. Personalized plates are valid for the same registration period as your vehicle — typically two years for passenger cars. If you want to change your personalized plate design later, you pay the full $75 fee again rather than a renewal rate.

Specialty plates supporting causes and organizations

Minnesota offers specialty plates tied to wildlife conservation, military service, higher education, and other causes. Each specialty plate design features artwork or messaging related to its cause, and a portion of the registration fee goes to the supporting organization. The extra cost ranges from $25 to $50 per year depending on the plate type.

Common specialty plate options include the Walleye plate (supporting the Department of Natural Resources), military veteran plates, plates for specific University of Minnesota campuses, and conservation plates. Some specialty plates have may be able to access requirements — for example, military plates require proof of service, and university plates may require proof of attendance or alumni status.

You can order specialty plates through the Secretary of State's website or at a DVS office. When you renew your registration, you can keep the same specialty plate, switch to a different one, or return to a standard plate. Switching plate types at renewal time costs only the difference in fees; switching between renewal cycles requires paying the full specialty plate fee.

How to order and when plates arrive

Order Minnesota plates online through the Secretary of State's website (state.mn.us), by mail using the appropriate form, or in person at any DVS office. Online ordering is fastest — you can complete the request in minutes and track your order status. Mail orders take longer because the form must reach the Secretary of State's office and be processed before plates are manufactured and shipped.

Standard and personalized plates typically arrive within two to three weeks of your order. Specialty plates may take slightly longer if they require verification of may be able to access. You can request a temporary plate to drive legally while you wait for permanent plates to arrive; temporary plates are valid for 30 days and cost around $5.

If you are registering a new vehicle, you can order plates at the same time you complete registration. If you are renewing registration on an existing vehicle, you can keep your current plates or order new ones. Plates are tied to your vehicle, not to you personally, so if you sell the vehicle, the new owner can keep the plates or request different ones.

Replacing damaged, faded, or stolen plates

Minnesota plates fade over time, especially the reflective coating that makes them visible at night. If your plate is faded, damaged, or stolen, you can order a replacement through the Secretary of State's office. Replacement standard plates cost around $10 to $15. Replacement personalized or specialty plates cost the same as a new plate of that type.

Report stolen plates to your local police department and get a report number. Include the report number when you order a replacement, and the Secretary of State will flag your vehicle to prevent the stolen plate from being misused. You can order replacement plates online, by mail, or at a DVS office.

Switching between plate types at renewal

You can change plate types when you renew your vehicle registration without paying extra fees beyond the difference in cost. For example, if you have a standard plate and want to switch to a specialty plate at renewal, you pay only the specialty plate fee ($25 to $50) rather than the full registration fee plus specialty fee. If you switch from a specialty plate back to standard at renewal, you pay only the standard registration fee.

Switching plate types between renewal cycles — not at renewal time — requires paying the full fee for the new plate type. For example, if your registration does not renew for another year but you want to switch from standard to personalized now, you pay the full $75 personalized plate fee, and your new personalized plate will be valid until your next renewal date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my personalized plate if I buy a different vehicle?

Yes. Personalized plates are registered to you, not to a specific vehicle. When you sell or trade in your vehicle, you can transfer the personalized plate to your new vehicle by updating your registration. Contact the Secretary of State or a DVS office to process the transfer.

What happens if someone else requests the same personalized plate I want?

The Secretary of State assigns personalized plates on a first-come, first-served basis. If someone else already has the plate you want, your request is rejected and you must choose a different combination. You can submit up to three alternative choices in a single request to speed up the process.

Do specialty plates cost more at renewal than at initial purchase?

No. Specialty plates cost the same at renewal as they do initially — typically $25 to $50 per year depending on the plate type. This is different from personalized plates, which cost $75 initially but $50 at renewal. The extra money from specialty plate fees goes to the supporting organization or cause.

Can I order a temporary plate online?

Yes. You can request a temporary plate through the Secretary of State's website when you order permanent plates. Temporary plates are valid for 30 days and cost around $5. They allow you to drive legally while you wait for your permanent plates to arrive.

What if my personalized plate request is rejected?

The Secretary of State will notify you of the rejection and explain why. You can submit a new request with different characters. You are allowed to submit up to three alternative choices at once, which increases the chance that at least one will be approved without requiring a second request.