What Minnesota license plates cost and where to order them

Minnesota license plates are issued by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services division. A standard passenger plate costs $35 for the first registration and $17 for renewal every two years. If you want a personalized plate with custom letters or numbers, add $50 to the registration fee. Specialty plates—such as those supporting conservation, military service, or specific organizations—cost between $35 and $50 depending on the type, with some of the extra fee going to the organization the plate supports.

You order plates through the Minnesota Secretary of State's online system, by mail, or in person at any Driver and Vehicle Services office. Online ordering is fastest; you can complete the entire transaction and have plates shipped to your address within one to two weeks. If you go in person, you leave with plates the same day. Mail orders take three to four weeks.

When you register a vehicle in Minnesota for the first time, plates come automatically with your registration. You do not order them separately. If you need to replace lost, stolen, or damaged plates, you pay the $17 renewal fee and order through the same channels.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Minnesota plates cost $35 for initial registration and $17 every two years at renewal.
  • Personalized plates add $50 to the registration fee, and specialty plates range from $35 to $50 depending on the cause or organization.
  • You can order plates online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website, by mail, or at a Driver and Vehicle Services office.
  • Online orders arrive in one to two weeks; in-person orders are ready the same day; mail orders take three to four weeks.
  • Replacement plates for lost, stolen, or damaged originals cost $17 and follow the same ordering process.

Minnesota plate designs and what each type means

Minnesota's standard passenger plate is white with blue lettering and the state name across the top. The format is three letters followed by three numbers. This plate is valid for two years from the date of issue, and the expiration date appears in the upper right corner.

Specialty plates in Minnesota include the Loon (the state bird), Conservation License Plate, Purple Heart (for military veterans), and plates supporting specific colleges, conservation groups, or charitable organizations. Each has a different design, but all are legal for road use and cost the same as or slightly more than a standard plate. The extra cost for specialty plates typically goes to the organization or cause the plate represents.

Personalized plates let you choose up to seven characters—letters, numbers, or a combination. You cannot use spaces, punctuation, or offensive language. Minnesota reviews personalized requests and rejects those that violate content rules. The personalized plate keeps the same white background and blue lettering as a standard plate, with your custom characters in place of the standard format.

How to register a vehicle and get plates for the first time

When you buy a vehicle in Minnesota, you have 14 days to register it. You need the vehicle title, proof of insurance, and a form of identification. If you are financing the vehicle, bring the loan documents. You can register at any Driver and Vehicle Services office or online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website.

Online registration is the fastest route. You upload a photo of your title and insurance card, pay the registration fee, and plates ship to your address. The entire process takes 10 to 15 minutes. In-person registration at a Driver and Vehicle Services office takes longer but you leave with temporary plates when ready and permanent plates arrive by mail within two weeks.

The registration fee includes the plate cost. You do not pay separately for plates when you register a new vehicle. If you want a personalized or specialty plate, you can request it during registration and pay the additional fee at that time.

Renewing your plates and updating registration

Minnesota plates expire every two years on your birthday month. You receive a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before expiration. The notice includes a renewal form and payment instructions. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office.

Online renewal is the simplest option. You log into your account on the Minnesota Secretary of State website, review your information, pay the $17 renewal fee, and your new plates ship within one to two weeks. If you renew by mail, send the form and payment to the address on the notice. In-person renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services office takes about 15 minutes and you can request new plates when ready if yours are damaged or worn.

If you miss your renewal date, your registration and plates become invalid. You cannot legally drive the vehicle until you renew. Late renewal does not add a penalty fee in Minnesota, but you must complete the renewal before driving again.

Replacing lost, stolen, or damaged plates

If your plates are lost, stolen, or too damaged to read, report the loss to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and order replacements. If the plates were stolen, file a police report and bring the report number when you order replacements; this protects you if someone uses your plates illegally. If plates are lost or damaged, you do not need a police report.

Replacement plates cost $17 and are ordered the same way as renewal plates—online, by mail, or in person. You can order them when ready; you do not have to wait until your renewal date. New plates arrive within one to two weeks if ordered online, or the same day if ordered in person.

While you wait for replacement plates, you can drive with a temporary registration document issued by Driver and Vehicle Services. This document is valid for 30 days and must be displayed on your vehicle. If you need the temporary document, request it when you order your replacement plates.

Transferring plates to a new vehicle

Minnesota does not allow you to transfer plates from one vehicle to another. When you sell or trade in your vehicle, the plates stay with that vehicle or are surrendered to the state. When you buy a new vehicle, you must register it and receive new plates.

If you want the same plate number on your new vehicle, you can order a personalized plate with those characters, but you pay the personalized plate fee ($50 extra) and go through a new registration. The old plates cannot be physically transferred.

When you sell a vehicle, notify the Minnesota Department of Public Safety that you no longer own it. You can do this online or by mail. This protects you from liability if the new owner gets a ticket or is involved in an accident. The new owner must register the vehicle in their name and receive new plates.

Special situations: Commercial, temporary, and dealer plates

Commercial vehicles in Minnesota receive different plates marked with a "C" or specific commercial designation. These plates cost more than passenger plates and require a commercial vehicle registration. If you operate a business that uses vehicles for commercial purposes, you must register those vehicles as commercial, not personal.

Temporary plates are issued when you buy a vehicle and are waiting for permanent plates to arrive, or when you are selling a vehicle and the new owner needs time to register it. Temporary plates are valid for 30 days and must be displayed on the rear window. You cannot request temporary plates in advance; they are issued only during registration or at the point of sale.

Dealer plates are used by car dealerships to move vehicles on the lot and for test drives. These are not issued to the public. If you are a dealership owner, you explore for dealer plates through a separate process with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my Minnesota plates if I move out of state?

No. When you move to another state, you must register your vehicle in that state and receive new plates. Minnesota plates are only valid in Minnesota. If you move temporarily but plan to return, you can keep your Minnesota registration for up to one year, but you must register in the new state if you stay longer than that.

What happens if I drive with expired plates?

Driving with expired plates is illegal in Minnesota and can result in a traffic citation and fine. If you are pulled over, you must show proof that you have renewed your registration, even if your new plates have not arrived yet. Keep your renewal notice or online confirmation with you until your new plates come.

How do I report a lost or stolen plate?

Contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division by phone or through their website. Provide your vehicle identification number and plate number. File a police report if the plates were stolen. Then order replacement plates online, by mail, or in person. You do not need to wait for the police report to order replacements.

Can I get a plate with my initials or a meaningful date?

Yes, through Minnesota's personalized plate program. You can request up to seven characters—letters, numbers, or a mix. Minnesota reviews all personalized requests and rejects those containing offensive language or content. If your request is denied, you can appeal or choose a different combination. Personalized plates cost $50 extra on top of the standard registration fee.

What do the numbers on my plate expiration sticker mean?

The expiration sticker in the upper right corner of your plate shows the month and year your registration expires. For example, "06/25" means June 2025. You must renew before that date. Minnesota sends renewal notices 60 days before expiration, so you have time to renew online, by mail, or in person.