What Minnesota tabs renewal actually involves

Minnesota tabs renewal means getting new registration tabs (the stickers) for your license plates and paying the annual registration fee to keep your vehicle legal to drive. You renew through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Driver and Vehicle Services — either online, by mail, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. The process itself takes minutes if you do it online, but you need your current registration documents and payment method ready.

Your tabs expire on the last day of the month shown on your current sticker. If your tabs say "06/25", they expire June 30, 2025. You can renew starting three months before that date — so in this example, starting April 1, 2025. Renewing early is smart because it gives you time to receive your new tabs by mail if you choose that route, and it keeps you from accidentally driving with expired tabs.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota tabs renewal happens through the Department of Public Safety online at mn.gov/dvs, by mail, or at a Driver and Vehicle Services office, and you can start three months before your expiration date.
  • Online renewal costs less than in-person renewal and takes about five minutes if you have your registration documents and a valid payment method.
  • If you renew online or by mail, your new tabs arrive by mail within two to three weeks; you must display them on your plates before your current tabs expire.
  • Renewing in person at a DVS office costs more but gives you tabs when ready, which matters if your current tabs expire soon or you lost your registration documents.
  • If your vehicle has a lien, a safety inspection failure, or unpaid parking tickets, you may not be able to renew until those issues are resolved.

Renewing online through the Minnesota DVS website

Online renewal is the fastest and cheapest option. Go to mn.gov/dvs and select "Renew Vehicle Registration" from the homepage. You will need your current registration card, your vehicle identification number (VIN), and a payment method — debit card, credit card, or electronic check. The system will ask you to enter your plate number and confirm your vehicle and owner information.

The fee varies depending on your vehicle's weight and type. A standard passenger car typically costs between $170 and $200 for a one-year renewal, but trucks, trailers, and commercial vehicles cost more. The website shows you the exact fee before you pay. Once you complete payment, you receive a confirmation number when ready. Your new tabs ship to the address on file within five to seven business days and usually arrive within two to three weeks.

You must display your new tabs on your license plates before your current tabs expire. Driving with expired tabs is a violation, even if your new tabs are in the mail. If your tabs expire before your new ones arrive, contact the DVS to request a temporary registration document you can print and display.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal takes longer but requires no trip to an office. Request a renewal form from the Minnesota DVS by calling 651-297-2126 or visiting a DVS office in person. You can also read the form from mn.gov/dvs if it is available for your vehicle type. Fill out the form completely, including your current registration card information and your signature, then mail it with a check or money order to the address on the form.

Processing takes two to four weeks after the DVS receives your form, and your new tabs arrive another one to two weeks after that. This means mail renewal can take a full month or longer from the time you mail your form. Start the process as soon as you are may be able to access to renew — three months before your tabs expire — to avoid running out of time.

If you are unsure whether mail renewal is available for your vehicle (some commercial and specialty vehicles must renew in person), call the DVS before sending your form. Mailing a form for a vehicle that cannot renew by mail wastes time and delays your renewal.

Renewing in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office

In-person renewal at a DVS office gives you new tabs when ready, which is useful if your tabs expire within a few weeks or you need to resolve an issue that requires speaking with staff. Bring your current registration card, your driver's license or state ID, proof of insurance, and a payment method. The fee for in-person renewal is higher than online renewal — typically $10 to $20 more — because you receive your tabs on the spot.

Minnesota has DVS offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on mn.gov/dvs. Many offices operate by appointment only, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, so call ahead or check online before you go. Wait times at offices that accept walk-ins vary widely depending on the time of day and day of the week.

Bring all required documents with you. If you are missing your registration card or your proof of insurance, the office staff can help you, but it may add time to your visit. If your vehicle has a lien or a safety inspection failure, you cannot renew in person until that issue is cleared — the staff will tell you what to do next.

When you cannot renew and what to do

The DVS will not issue new tabs if your vehicle has an active safety inspection failure, if there is a lien on the vehicle and the lienholder has not signed off on the renewal, or if you have unpaid parking tickets or other violations tied to your registration. You will see an error message online or be told in person what is blocking your renewal.

If your vehicle failed a safety inspection, you must have it repaired and pass a new inspection before you can renew. If there is a lien, contact your lender to confirm they have released it or will sign the renewal paperwork. If you have unpaid parking tickets or violations, contact the city or county that issued them to pay or dispute them. Once the issue is resolved, you can renew when ready.

If you are unsure why your renewal is blocked, call the DVS at 651-297-2126. Staff can look up your registration and tell you exactly what needs to be fixed.

What happens if your tabs expire before you renew

Driving with expired tabs is a violation. A police officer can stop you, and you can receive a citation. The fine varies but typically ranges from $50 to $100 for a first offense. More importantly, if you are in an accident while your tabs are expired, your insurance may deny your claim, leaving you responsible for all damages.

If your tabs expire and you have not yet received your new ones in the mail, contact the DVS when ready. You can request a temporary registration document (sometimes called a temporary permit or registration extension) that you print and display on your windshield. This document is valid for a limited time — usually 30 days — and gives you legal cover while you wait for your tabs. You must have a valid renewal confirmation number to request this document.

Do not wait until the last week of your expiration month to renew. Renew as soon as you are may be able to access — three months before expiration — to give yourself a buffer in case of mail delays or other issues.

Understanding registration fees and what they cover

Your registration fee pays for the cost of issuing and mailing your tabs, the administration of vehicle registration, and road maintenance and safety programs in Minnesota. The fee is based on your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) — the maximum weight it can safely carry, including passengers and cargo. Heavier vehicles pay more. A passenger car with a GVWR under 4,000 pounds costs less than a pickup truck or SUV with a higher GVWR.

The fee does not change based on your vehicle's age, condition, or mileage. A 2005 sedan and a 2024 sedan with the same GVWR pay the same registration fee. If you believe your vehicle is classified incorrectly and paying too much, you can request a weight verification at a DVS office, but this is rare and usually only applies to commercial vehicles.

Some vehicles may have access to for reduced registration fees. Vehicles owned by disabled veterans, electric vehicles, and certain other categories may pay less. Check mn.gov/dvs to see if your vehicle qualifies for a discount before you renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my tabs if my registration card is lost or damaged?

Yes. If you renew online, you can use your plate number and VIN to look up your registration information instead of entering it from your card. If you renew in person, bring your driver's license and proof of insurance, and the office staff can look up your registration. You will receive a new registration card with your new tabs.

What if I move to a different address before my tabs expire?

Update your address with the DVS before you renew. You can do this online at mn.gov/dvs or at a DVS office. Your new tabs will be mailed to your new address. If you renew before updating your address, your tabs go to your old address, and you will need to contact the DVS to have them reissued.

Do I need a new safety inspection to renew my tabs?

No, not for standard renewal. Minnesota does not require a safety inspection every year for most passenger vehicles. However, if your vehicle failed a safety inspection in the past, you must pass a new one before the DVS will issue new tabs. If you are unsure whether your vehicle has a failed inspection on file, call the DVS.

How long can I drive after my tabs expire if I have applied for renewal?

You cannot legally drive with expired tabs, even if you have applied for renewal. If your new tabs have not arrived by your expiration date, request a temporary registration document from the DVS when ready. This document is valid for a limited time and allows you to drive legally while you wait for your tabs.

What if I sell my vehicle before my tabs expire?

You do not need to renew tabs for a vehicle you no longer own. Notify the DVS that you have sold the vehicle by submitting a title transfer form. The new owner will handle registration and tabs. If you fail to report the sale, you may receive notices or citations for violations tied to the vehicle.