Minnesota ties renewal to your birthday, uses a value-based registration tax, and has no statewide emissions testing requirement. Plates must be replaced every 7 years. Here is everything you need to renew on time.
When Does My Minnesota License Plate Expire?
Minnesota vehicle registrations expire annually on the vehicle owner’s birthday. Your plate sticker shows two pieces of information: a month sticker indicating your birthday month and a year sticker indicating the expiration year. Both must be current and displayed correctly on your rear plate.
The Minnesota DVS mails renewal notices in advance of your birthday expiration. However, you are responsible for renewing on time, whether or not your notice arrives. If you do not receive a notice, you can check your registration status and renew at dvs.dps.mn.gov using your plate number and the last three digits of your VIN.
Plates stay with the vehicle in Minnesota. When you sell your vehicle, the plates remain on it and transfer to the new owner with the title. If you have personalized or special plates, check with the DVS before selling; some specialty plates may be transferable to another vehicle you own.
Minnesota Has No Grace Period for Expired Registrations
Minnesota does not provide a grace period after your birthday expiration date. Operating a vehicle with expired registration tabs is a petty misdemeanor under Minnesota law and is subject to a citation and fine. You cannot drive on expired tabs even for one day past the expiration date.
Your renewed decals do not need to be physically on the plate the moment renewal is processed; Minnesota allows a brief window to receive and affix them. You must have your renewed decals affixed to your plates by the 10th day of the month following your registration expiration month.
No grace period, renew before your birthday
Minnesota has zero grace period. Your registration must be renewed before the last day of your birthday month. Driving on expired tabs the next day is a citable offense. Renew early using the online portal. You can renew as soon as you receive your renewal notice.
How Do I Renew My Minnesota License Plate?
Minnesota offers three renewal methods. Online is the most convenient for most drivers. Deputy registrar offices, which handle vehicle registration across the state, are distinct from DVS exam stations and are more widely located in many areas.
Online at dvs.dps.mn.gov
Visit dvs.dps.mn.gov and navigate to vehicle registration renewal. Enter your license plate number and the last 3 digits of your VIN. Verify your registration information and pay by Mastercard, Visa, or e-check. A $2.15 online convenience fee applies. Your new stickers are mailed to your address on file.
By Mail
Return your renewal form with payment to: Driver and Vehicle Services Renewal, PO Box 6458, St. Paul, MN 55164-0587. Make checks payable to “Driver and Vehicle Services.” Allow at least 2 to 3 weeks before your birthday expiration; do not mail in the final days before your deadline.
In Person at Deputy Registrar or DVS Office
Visit any Minnesota DVS deputy registrar office or DVS exam station statewide. Deputy registrar offices are located throughout Minnesota; many cities and towns have a local deputy registrar separate from the DVS exam station. Bring your renewal notice or current registration, proof of insurance, and payment. Stickers are issued while you wait at in-person locations.
How Much Does Minnesota Registration Renewal Cost?
Minnesota uses a value-based registration tax system that differs significantly from flat-fee states. The registration tax is calculated based on the vehicle’s original MSRP, its age, and its classification. This means your renewal cost changes each year as your vehicle depreciates, newer and higher-value vehicles pay more, and the tax decreases over time.
In addition to the registration tax, Minnesota charges a fixed filing fee for each renewal application. The combined total, registration tax plus filing fee, is shown on your renewal notice.
| FEE COMPONENT | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Registration tax (value-based) | Calculated from MSRP and vehicle age, decreases annually |
| Filing fee per application | $12.00 |
| Online convenience fee | $2.15 |
| Plate replacement fee (every 7 years) | $15.50 double plates / $10.00 single plate |
Registration tax deduction
The registration tax portion of your Minnesota renewal fee may be deductible on your federal income tax return if you itemize deductions. Check with a tax professional; the deductible portion is only the tax component, not the fixed filing fee.
The 7-Year Plate Replacement Cycle
Minnesota license plates for passenger vehicles must be physically replaced every 7 years from the date of issue. Unlike most other states, where the same metal plate stays on the vehicle indefinitely (with only the sticker changing), Minnesota requires a new set of plates at the 7-year mark. The DVS notifies you in your renewal notice when your plate is due for replacement.
At the 7-year replacement renewal, you pay the standard plate replacement fee in addition to your registration tax and filing fee. The DVS issues your new plates at the renewal transaction. You then affix your new stickers to the new plates and return the old plates.
When your plates reach the 7-year replacement cycle, you must visit a DVS deputy registrar’s office or DVS exam station in person; you cannot complete a plate replacement renewal online. Online renewal is available for standard sticker-only renewals.
Emissions Testing in Minnesota
Minnesota does not have a mandatory statewide emissions testing program for regular registration renewal. The vast majority of Minnesota vehicle owners, those outside the Twin Cities metro area, renew without any emissions test requirement.
Vehicles registered in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties) may be subject to an emissions test certificate requirement depending on the vehicle’s age and type. If your vehicle in the metro area requires a test, this will be indicated on your renewal notice. Testing is conducted at authorized stations throughout the metro area.
| LOCATION | EMISSIONS REQUIREMENT |
|---|---|
| Outside Twin Cities 7-county metro | No emissions test required |
| Twin Cities 7-county metro area | Test may be required depending on vehicle age and type, check your renewal notice |
What Can Block My Minnesota Renewal?
Lapsed or missing insurance
Valid insurance meeting Minnesota minimum liability requirements must be on file before the DVS will process renewal.
Emissions test required but not passed
For applicable vehicles in the Twin Cities metro, a valid emissions certificate must be on file before renewal can proceed.
Outstanding DVS or court holds
Unpaid traffic fines, outstanding court orders, or DVS-administered holds block renewal until resolved.
Title or registration discrepancy
Ownership record issues or unreleased liens require in-person resolution at a DVS office before renewal proceeds.
Information change needed first
If your name or address has changed since your last registration, you must update your information with the DVS before renewing online.