How to renew your Minnesota tabs
Minnesota sends you a renewal notice 30 to 45 days before your tabs expire. You can renew online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website, by mail using the notice they sent you, or in person at a Deputy Registrar office. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and you can print your temporary tabs when ready. Mail renewal takes one to two weeks. You do not need to visit an office unless you are renewing a commercial vehicle, changing vehicle information, or paying by cash.
Your renewal notice includes everything you need to get your free guide—your renewal notice number, the amount due, and a prepaid return envelope if you choose to mail it. The notice also tells you whether your county requires emissions testing before renewal. You can begin renewing the day you receive the notice, even if your current tabs have several weeks left.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota mails renewal notices 30 to 45 days before expiration, and you can renew online starting the day you receive it.
- Online renewal through the Secretary of State website costs the same as mail renewal and lets you print a temporary registration when ready.
- You will need your renewal notice, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or e-check) to renew online.
- Mail renewal uses the prepaid envelope included with your notice and takes one to two weeks for new tabs to arrive.
- If your tabs expire before your renewal arrives or processes, you can drive on an expired registration for a short grace period while your renewal is pending.
Renewing online through the Secretary of State
The fastest way to renew is through the Minnesota Secretary of State's online registration system. Go to mn.gov/sos, find the vehicle registration section, and select "Renew Registration." You will enter your renewal notice number (found on the notice mailed to you), your VIN, and your plate number. The system will pull up your vehicle information and show you the renewal fee.
Payment is by credit card, debit card, or e-check. Once you pay, the system generates a temporary registration you can print when ready and display in your vehicle. Your permanent tabs will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. Keep the temporary registration in your vehicle until the new tabs arrive.
Online renewal is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can renew as soon as you receive your notice in the mail, even if your tabs do not expire for several weeks. The system will confirm your payment with an email receipt that you can save or print as proof of renewal.
Renewing by mail with your renewal notice
Your renewal notice includes a prepaid return envelope. Fill out the notice with any changes to your vehicle information, include your payment (check or money order), and mail it back. Do not send cash through the mail. The envelope is already addressed to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, so you do not need to look up an address.
Mail renewal typically takes one to two weeks from the time the office receives your envelope. Tabs are mailed to the address on your registration. If you are moving, update your address before renewing so your tabs go to the correct location. You can update your address online, by mail with your renewal, or at a Deputy Registrar office.
If your tabs expire before your renewal arrives, you can drive on an expired registration for up to 60 days while your renewal is in process, as long as you have proof that you mailed it. Keep a copy of the mailed notice or a tracking receipt in your vehicle to show law enforcement if you are stopped.
Renewing in person at a Deputy Registrar
You can renew at any Deputy Registrar office in Minnesota. Bring your renewal notice, your vehicle's current registration, proof of insurance, and a valid ID. Payment can be by cash, check, credit card, or debit card, depending on the office. Some offices accept e-checks as well.
In-person renewal is useful if you need to make changes to your registration (such as adding or removing a vehicle owner), if you lost your renewal notice, or if you prefer to handle it face-to-face. You can print a temporary registration on the spot and drive home with it while your permanent tabs are mailed.
Wait times vary by location and time of day. Call ahead or check the office website to see current wait times. Most offices are open during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, with some offering limited Saturday hours. You can find the Deputy Registrar nearest you on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
What happens if your tabs expire before renewal arrives
Minnesota law allows a 60-day grace period if your registration has expired but your renewal is pending. You must have proof that you submitted your renewal—either a copy of the mailed notice with a postmark, a tracking receipt from the post office, or a confirmation email from online renewal. Keep this proof in your vehicle.
If you are stopped by law enforcement during this grace period, show them your proof of renewal. Driving without proof that a renewal is pending can result in a citation. Once your new tabs arrive, install them when ready and discard the temporary registration.
If you miss the renewal important date and do not have proof of a pending renewal, your registration is considered expired and you cannot legally drive the vehicle. You will need to renew and may face a late fee. The late fee amount depends on how long the registration has been expired and is added to your renewal cost.
Renewal fees and what they cover
Minnesota registration renewal fees depend on your vehicle's weight and type. Passenger cars typically cost between $135 and $180 per year. Trucks, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles have different fee structures. The exact amount is shown on your renewal notice and during online renewal before you pay.
The renewal fee covers your registration and tabs for one year from the expiration date of your current registration. It does not include any late fees if you renew after expiration, and it does not cover vehicle inspection or emissions testing (which are separate requirements in some Minnesota counties).
Some counties in Minnesota require emissions testing as part of registration. If your county requires it, you must complete the test before renewing. Your renewal notice will indicate whether testing is required for your vehicle. Testing facilities are located throughout the state and typically charge a separate fee.
Renewing a vehicle with a lien or loan
If your vehicle has a lien (the lender holds the title), you can still renew your registration. The lienholder does not need to approve the renewal. Renew using the same method you would for an owned vehicle—online, by mail, or in person. Your registration and tabs will be issued in your name, and the lender's interest is noted on the title, not the registration.
If the lender's address on file with the state is outdated, they may not receive renewal notices. You are responsible for renewing on time regardless of whether the lender receives notice. If you are unsure whether a lien is recorded, check your title or contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my tabs before the renewal notice arrives?
No. You need your renewal notice number to renew online, and you cannot renew by mail without the notice. If your notice is lost or delayed, visit a Deputy Registrar office with your current registration and ID, and they can process your renewal without the notice.
What if I moved and my renewal notice went to my old address?
Contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to update your address before your tabs expire. You can update online, by phone, or in person at a Deputy Registrar. Once your address is corrected, request a duplicate renewal notice or renew in person at an office. Do not wait for a notice to arrive at your old address.
Do I need a vehicle inspection to renew my tabs?
No inspection is required statewide. However, some Minnesota counties require emissions testing. Your renewal notice will state whether testing is required for your vehicle. If it is, you must complete the test before your tabs expire and provide proof to the registrar.
Can I renew tabs for someone else's vehicle?
You can renew online or by mail if you have the renewal notice and vehicle information. In person, the registered owner or a person with power of attorney can renew. If you are renewing for someone else, bring a signed authorization letter along with the owner's ID and your own ID.
What if my vehicle registration was suspended or revoked?
You cannot renew a suspended or revoked registration. Contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to find out why the registration was suspended and what steps are needed to restore it. Reasons include unpaid parking tickets, unpaid traffic fines, or failure to provide proof of insurance.