Minnesota tabs renew through the state Department of Public Safety, and you can do it online, by mail, or in person at a deputy registrar office

Minnesota calls vehicle registration stickers "tabs," and they expire on the last day of the month printed on them. You can renew before expiration through the state's online system, by mailing a form to your county, or by visiting a deputy registrar in person. The online route is fastest—it takes minutes and you can print a temporary registration when ready. Mail takes about two weeks. In-person renewal at a deputy registrar is when ready if you bring the right documents.

Your renewal notice arrives by mail about a month before your tabs expire. It shows your vehicle information, the renewal fee, and instructions for each method. If you don't receive one, you can still renew using your vehicle identification number (VIN) and license plate number on the state website.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website is the fastest method and lets you print a temporary registration the same day.
  • Your renewal notice arrives by mail about a month before expiration and includes the fee amount, which varies based on vehicle weight and type.
  • Deputy registrar offices throughout Minnesota handle in-person renewals when ready if you bring your current registration and proof of insurance.
  • Mail renewal takes about two weeks and requires mailing your renewal notice with payment to your county auditor's office.
  • Driving on expired tabs is illegal in Minnesota and can result in a citation, even if you have applied for renewal.

Renewing tabs online through the state website

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety operates the online renewal system at mn.gov/dvs. You enter your VIN and license plate number, review your vehicle information and renewal fee, and pay by credit card or debit card. The entire process takes about five minutes. Once payment processes, you can print a temporary registration valid for 30 days while your physical tabs arrive by mail.

Physical tabs arrive within 7 to 10 business days after online renewal. You must display the temporary registration in your vehicle until the new tabs arrive. If you renew online and your vehicle information has changed—different address, ownership transfer, or insurance lapse—the system will flag it and direct you to complete those changes before processing the renewal.

Renewing tabs by mail

Mail renewal uses the renewal notice you received from the state. You sign the back of the notice, include your payment (check or money order), and mail it to your county auditor's office. The address is printed on the notice itself. Processing takes about two weeks from the date the auditor receives it, and your new tabs arrive by mail after that.

Mail renewal is slower than online but works if you don't have internet access or prefer not to use a credit card. You cannot drive on expired tabs while waiting for mail processing, so this method only works if you renew before your current tabs expire. If your tabs have already expired, you must renew online or in person to get legal registration when ready.

Renewing tabs in person at a deputy registrar

Deputy registrars are private businesses licensed by the state to handle registration transactions. They are located throughout Minnesota—in cities, towns, and many rural areas. You can find the nearest office by searching "deputy registrar" on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website or by calling your county auditor's office. In-person renewal is when ready: you walk in, complete the transaction, and drive out with new tabs on your vehicle.

Bring your current registration, proof of insurance, and payment (cash, check, or card—policies vary by office). Some deputy registrars charge a small service fee on top of the state renewal fee. If your vehicle information has changed or your insurance has lapsed, the deputy registrar will direct you to update those records before completing the renewal.

What happens if your tabs expire before you renew

Driving on expired tabs is illegal in Minnesota. A police officer can cite you for an expired registration, and you face a fine. The citation does not prevent you from renewing—you can still renew online, by mail, or in person—but you will have a traffic violation on your record. If you are pulled over, tell the officer you have applied for renewal; this does not excuse the violation, but it documents your intent.

If your tabs expired more than a few days ago and you need to drive, renew online when ready and print the temporary registration. You are legal to drive on the temporary while waiting for physical tabs to arrive. If you cannot renew online (for example, if your vehicle information is flagged as incomplete), go to a deputy registrar in person for when ready renewal.

Renewal fees and what affects the cost

Minnesota renewal fees depend on your vehicle's weight and type. A standard passenger car typically costs less to renew than a truck or SUV. The exact fee is shown on your renewal notice and on the online renewal system before you pay. Fees do not change year to year for the same vehicle unless the state adjusts its fee schedule, which is rare.

If you own an electric vehicle, you may may have access to for a fee reduction or exemption depending on the vehicle model and year. Check your renewal notice or ask a deputy registrar whether your vehicle qualifies. Some counties also offer fee reductions for low-income vehicle owners, though this varies by county—contact your county auditor's office to learn whether your county participates.

Renewing tabs if you've moved or changed insurance

If you moved to a new address in Minnesota, update your address with the Department of Public Safety before renewing tabs. You can do this online at mn.gov/dvs or at a deputy registrar office. If you moved out of state, you must transfer your vehicle registration to that state rather than renew Minnesota tabs.

If your insurance lapsed or you switched insurance companies, you must provide proof of current insurance before renewing. The renewal system and deputy registrars can verify insurance electronically if your new insurer reports to the state system. If there is a gap between policies, contact your new insurer to confirm they have reported coverage to the state, then attempt renewal again. If the system still flags a lapse, visit a deputy registrar with a printed proof-of-insurance document from your insurer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my tabs if my vehicle has a lien on it?

Yes. A lien does not prevent renewal. Renew through any method—online, mail, or in person—using your current registration. The lienholder's name appears on your registration but does not affect your ability to renew tabs.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You do not need the notice to renew. Go online to mn.gov/dvs and enter your VIN and license plate number, or visit a deputy registrar with your current registration. Both methods pull up your renewal information without the paper notice.

How long is a temporary registration valid after online renewal?

The temporary registration you print after online renewal is valid for 30 days. Physical tabs arrive within 7 to 10 business days, so you should receive them before the temporary expires. If they do not arrive within 10 days, contact the Department of Public Safety at 651-297-2126.

Can I renew tabs for someone else's vehicle?

Online renewal requires the vehicle owner's information. In-person renewal at a deputy registrar can be done by someone other than the owner if they bring the owner's current registration and proof of insurance. Mail renewal can be handled by anyone mailing the signed notice and payment to the county auditor.

What if my vehicle registration was suspended?

A suspended registration means the state has blocked renewal for a specific reason—usually unpaid traffic fines, child support, or other court-ordered debt. You cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. Contact the Department of Public Safety or your county auditor to learn why your registration is suspended and what steps are needed to clear it.