How to Renew Your Tabs at the Minnesota DMV

In Minnesota, tabs are the small registration stickers you place on your license plate to show your vehicle registration is current. Renewing them is one of the most routine DMV tasks Minnesota drivers deal with — but the process, costs, and deadlines have enough moving parts that it helps to know how it all works before you start.

What "Renewing Tabs" Actually Means

When you renew your tabs in Minnesota, you're renewing your vehicle registration with the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), which operates under the Department of Public Safety. The tab sticker you receive after renewal gets placed on your rear license plate, displaying the month and year your registration expires.

Minnesota issues registration renewals on an annual basis, tied to the vehicle owner's birth month. That means your renewal deadline isn't a fixed calendar date for everyone — it cycles through the year based on when you were born.

How the Minnesota Tab Renewal Process Works

Minnesota gives vehicle owners several ways to renew:

• Online through the DVS website
• By mail, using the renewal notice sent to your address
• In person at a deputy registrar office (these are often located at local license centers, not just state DMV offices)

The renewal notice DVS mails you includes a PIN you'll need for online or mail renewals. If you don't receive a notice or misplace it, you can still renew in person or look up your vehicle information through the DVS online portal.

After completing the renewal and paying the fees, you'll receive new tab stickers. Place the new sticker on the lower right corner of your rear license plate, removing the old one first if it would interfere with the new sticker lying flat.

What You'll Need to Renew

For most standard renewals, you'll need:

• Your renewal notice (with the PIN) or your vehicle's plate number and VIN
• Proof of valid insurance (required in Minnesota)
• Payment for the renewal fees

If your registration has lapsed or your vehicle information has changed — new address, different lienholder, or a recently purchased vehicle — the process may involve additional steps or documentation.

What Affects the Cost of Tab Renewal 💸

Minnesota's registration fees are calculated using a formula based primarily on the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and the age of the vehicle. Newer, higher-value vehicles pay significantly more than older ones. This is why two neighbors with different vehicles can receive very different renewal bills.

The fee structure generally includes:

Minnesota's registration tax is notably higher than many other states, especially for newer vehicles. A first-year registration on a new vehicle can run several hundred dollars; the same vehicle at 10+ years old will cost considerably less.

When Your Tabs Expire and What Happens If They Do

Your tabs expire at the end of your birth month. Minnesota law requires you to renew before that date. You can typically renew up to several months in advance.

Driving with expired tabs is a traffic violation in Minnesota. Law enforcement can stop and cite you for it, so keeping track of your renewal date matters — especially since some people forget the birth-month connection and assume their deadline falls at a different time of year.

If you've recently moved, make sure your address on file with DVS is current. Renewal notices go to the address associated with your registration. A missed notice because of an outdated address doesn't excuse a lapse.

Situations That Complicate the Standard Renewal 🔍

Not every renewal is straightforward. A few situations that can affect the process:

• Outstanding fees or tickets: Unpaid parking tickets in certain Minnesota cities can block your renewal until they're cleared.
• Insurance lapses: If DVS has a record of a coverage gap, you may need to provide proof of current insurance and potentially pay a reinstatement fee.
• Title issues: If there's a lien, ownership dispute, or title discrepancy, renewal may be held up until those are resolved.
• New-to-Minnesota vehicles: If you recently moved to Minnesota with an out-of-state vehicle, your first registration involves more than a tab renewal — you'll need to establish a Minnesota title and registration from scratch.
• Salvage or rebuilt titles: These vehicles may have additional inspection requirements before registration can be renewed.

Online vs. In-Person Renewal

Online renewal is generally the fastest option when your information is clean — no address changes, no flags on the account, and your PIN is available. Most online renewals process quickly, and your stickers arrive by mail.

In-person renewal at a deputy registrar office is useful when something needs to be corrected, when you need same-day stickers, or when you're unsure about your account status. Minnesota has a wide network of deputy registrar locations, many in suburban and rural areas, not just metro centers.

The Missing Piece

Minnesota's tab renewal system is designed to be predictable for most drivers — annual cycle, mailed reminders, multiple renewal options. But your specific renewal cost, any holds on your account, and whether your situation qualifies as a standard renewal all depend on your vehicle, your registration history, your county, and the current status of your DVS record.