Minnesota tag renewal happens online, by mail, or in person at your local Deputy Registrar office

Minnesota calls vehicle registration "tabs" or "tags"—the sticker you put on your license plate. You renew it every year or every two years, depending on your vehicle type. The state sends you a renewal notice 30 to 45 days before your current registration expires, and you can renew starting 90 days before the expiration date. Most people renew online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website, which takes about 10 minutes and costs less than going in person because there is no Deputy Registrar service fee.

You do not have to wait for the notice to arrive. If you know your registration expiration date—it is printed on your current tab and on your vehicle registration card—you can start the renewal process whenever you want within that 90-day window. Renewing early means your new tab arrives before the old one expires, so you are never driving with an expired registration.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota registration renews every one or two years depending on vehicle type, and you can renew online starting 90 days before expiration.
  • Online renewal through the Secretary of State website costs less than in-person renewal at a Deputy Registrar because you avoid the service fee.
  • You need your vehicle identification number (VIN), current registration number, and a valid payment method to renew online.
  • If your vehicle fails the emissions test or you have unpaid parking tickets, your renewal will be blocked until those issues are resolved.
  • New tabs arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days of online renewal; you can drive legally during that wait if your old tab has not yet expired.

Renewing online through the Secretary of State website

Go to mn.gov/sos and select "Vehicle Registration" from the main menu. Click "Renew Registration" and enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) and current registration number. The system will pull up your vehicle information and show you the renewal fee. Minnesota charges a base registration fee that varies by vehicle type—passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, and trailers each have different rates. You will also see any applicable tax or local fees added to that base amount.

Once you confirm the information is correct, you pay online using a debit card, credit card, or electronic check. The system generates a confirmation number when ready. Your new registration card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days, and your new tab arrives separately. You can legally drive with your old tab until the expiration date passes, even if your new tab has not arrived yet—the confirmation number proves your renewal is current if you are stopped.

If the system will not let you renew online, it usually means one of three things: your vehicle failed the emissions test, you have unpaid parking tickets in Minnesota, or there is a hold on your registration from another state. The website will tell you which one. You must resolve the issue before you can renew. For emissions, you need to take your vehicle to a testing station and pass. For parking tickets, you pay them through the city or county that issued them. For out-of-state holds, contact the other state's motor vehicle department.

Renewing by mail or at a Deputy Registrar office

If you prefer not to renew online, use the renewal notice the state mails you. Fill out the form, include your payment, and mail it back to the address on the notice. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the state receives it, so mail it at least 3 weeks before your registration expires. Include a check or money order—the state does not take credit cards by mail.

You can also renew in person at any Deputy Registrar office in Minnesota. These are not Secretary of State offices; they are private businesses licensed by the state to handle registration transactions. You bring your vehicle registration card, proof of insurance, and payment. The Deputy Registrar charges a service fee on top of the state registration fee—this fee varies by location but is typically $5 to $10. You get your new tab and registration card on the spot, so there is no wait. Find your nearest Deputy Registrar through the Secretary of State website.

What you need before you renew

For online renewal, you need your VIN and current registration number. Both are on your registration card. You also need a valid payment method—debit card, credit card, or electronic check account. That is all. The system does not ask for proof of insurance online, but Minnesota law requires you to carry insurance. If you are stopped and cannot show proof of current insurance, you can be cited even if your registration is current.

For mail or in-person renewal, bring your current registration card and proof of insurance. Proof of insurance can be a printed declaration page from your insurance company, a digital copy on your phone, or an insurance card. If you have changed insurance companies since your last renewal, bring proof of your new policy. If you have not changed anything about your vehicle—owner, address, or vehicle itself—you do not need any other documents.

Registration holds that block renewal

Minnesota blocks registration renewal for three main reasons: emissions test failure, unpaid parking tickets, or an out-of-state registration hold. If your vehicle is older than a certain age, it must pass an emissions test every two years. The test checks your vehicle's exhaust to make sure it meets state pollution standards. If it fails, you cannot renew until you fix the problem and pass a retest. Common failures are a loose or missing gas cap, a faulty oxygen sensor, or a check engine light that is on.

Unpaid parking tickets in any Minnesota city or county will block your renewal. This includes tickets from years ago if they were never paid. You do not have to pay in person; most cities let you pay online through their website or by phone. Once you pay, the block lifts when ready, and you can renew right away.

If you recently moved from another state or your vehicle was registered in another state, that state may have a hold on your vehicle record. This usually happens if you did not properly surrender your old registration or if there are unpaid fines. Contact the motor vehicle department in the state where the vehicle was last registered and ask them to release the hold. Once they do, Minnesota will let you renew.

Timeline and expiration dates

Your registration expiration date is printed on your current tab and on your registration card. It is always the last day of a month. You can renew starting 90 days before that date. If you renew online, your new tab arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew by mail, allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing plus mail time. If you renew in person at a Deputy Registrar, you get your tab when ready.

Driving with an expired registration is illegal in Minnesota. If you are stopped, you can be cited and fined. If your registration expires and you have not renewed yet, stop driving the vehicle until you renew. If you are renewing online and your old tab is about to expire before your new one arrives, renew at a Deputy Registrar office instead so you get the tab the same day.

Registration length: one year or two years

Most passenger vehicles in Minnesota renew every two years. Some vehicle types renew annually: vehicles registered as commercial, vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds, and vehicles registered to a business address rather than a home address. Your registration card tells you whether your vehicle renews annually or biennially. If you are not sure, call the Secretary of State's vehicle registration line at 651-296-6911 or check your registration card.

The renewal fee is the same whether you renew for one year or two years—you pay for the full period upfront. You cannot split a two-year renewal into two one-year payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Minnesota registration if I live out of state?

Yes. You can renew online from anywhere as long as your vehicle is still registered in Minnesota. If you have moved out of state permanently, you should register your vehicle in your new state instead. Contact your new state's motor vehicle department to find out what documents you need to transfer the registration.

What happens if I drive with an expired registration?

You can be stopped and cited by police. The fine varies but is typically $100 to $200. If your registration has been expired for more than 90 days, your vehicle may be considered unregistered, which carries a higher penalty. Renew as soon as you realize it has expired.

Do I need a new inspection sticker when I renew my registration?

Minnesota does not require vehicle safety inspections for registration renewal. You only need to pass an emissions test if your vehicle is old enough to require one. The registration renewal notice will tell you if your vehicle needs an emissions test.

Can I renew my registration if I have a lien on my vehicle?

Yes. A lien does not prevent registration renewal. The lienholder is listed on your registration card but does not have to sign off on renewal. Renew normally through any method.

What if my registration card is lost or damaged?

You can still renew online or by mail using your VIN and current registration number. If you need a replacement card before your renewal arrives, you can order one through the Secretary of State website for a small fee, or get one in person at a Deputy Registrar office.