Minnesota License Plate Lookup

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety handles vehicle registrations, titling, and license plate applications through its Driver & Vehicle Services (DVS) division. New registrations can be processed at any of the 174 Deputy Registrar offices located throughout the state. In 2023, Minnesota reported over 3000 car thefts, a concerning statistic. Apart from that, Minnesota has experienced a significant uptick in catalytic converter thefts. This specific auto part theft has been a growing issue in recent years due to the valuable metals used in catalytic converters, such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. The Twin Cities, especially, have seen a surge in these thefts, reflecting a broader national trend where urban areas are more prone to this type of crime. This increase has led local law enforcement to emphasize prevention strategies to help vehicle owners protect their vehicles from theft. Simply enter the car’s license plate number and select the state where the vehicle is registered.

Good to Know!

Minnesota has a strong adoption of four-wheel drive (4WD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles. Due to the state’s snowy and icy winter conditions, these types of vehicles are particularly popular among residents for their enhanced traction and stability on slick roads.

Where Do I Find My Minnesota Plate Number?

Like most states, you’ll find your vehicle’s license plate on the front and rear of a vehicle. Alternatively, you can get this information from the vehicle’s certificate of title, or other important documents such as its insurance information.

Applying for a License Plate in Minnesota

To complete the vehicle registration process, you can visit any of the state’s Deputy Registrar offices with the following items:

• A completed application form
• Vehicle’s current certificate of title
• Proof of vehicle ownership
• Vehicle odometer records
• Leasing agreement (if applicable)
• Proof of vehicle insurance
• Proof of identification
• Payment of all relevant fees

Vehicle registrations require annual renewals.

You may also register by mail, if needed. Send all the required documents and fees to the DVS’ address.

If you’re moving to Minnesota from another state, you have a grace period of 60 days to register your vehicle. If your registration expires before then, you’ll need to obtain the registration “at the time of expiration.” Otherwise, if your current registration expires or if you had to surrender your plates, you’ll need to complete registration immediately.

You can also directly contact the DVS for in-depth inquiries regarding vehicle registration fees and taxes.

What are the Different Types of Plates?

Plate combinations are six characters long and must comprise of “two or three letter characters with two, three or four number characters.” For plates that use all-number combinations, there must be one letter character.

Note that license plates must display the month of expiration in the lower left corner, while the year of expiration is displayed in the lower right corner.

Standard plates: These plates have black characters imprinted on a white background with the state’s outline in the middle.

Personalized plates: Personalized plates use the standard plate, with up to 7 characters printed, one of which must be a letter. Hyphens and spaces are also counted in the character limit.

When applying for a plate, you must include a reason for why you chose your preferred combination. You aren’t allowed to use any vulgar language or profanities, or any messages that are deemed offensive.

Military plates: These are issued to former serving, or active duty, members of any US military outfit. Plates are also available for service in any previous conflicts (i.e., World War 2) as well as medal recipients (i.e., Bronze Star).

Disabled plates: Persons with disabilities, or “the custodial parent or guardian of a permanently disabled minor,” may apply for disabled plates. Disabled plates can be transferred to another vehicle of the same type for free.

Special plates: This refers to unique plates for organizations, charitable groups, and so forth. These organizations or groups may have a unique style or design of plates, and the criteria for this style may vary from state to state.

Special plates that are available include:

• Collector plates
• Collegiate plates (26 participating state universities and colleges)
• State parks and trails
• Volunteer plates
• Law enforcement memorial plates

Some of these plates may have additional fees and/or contribution fees that you need to pay. Contribution fees have a minimum payment, but you can increase it if you so desire.

Can I Freely Look Up a License Plate?

Yes, you can! Only relevant information that doesn’t reveal a person’s identity or background will be shared. Moreover, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) grants individuals the right to access information collected by the government.

Go ahead and run a free check on that vehicle you’re keen on!