New Resident - Applying for Vehicle Registration:
New residents have a 60 day grace period, per Minn. Stat. § 168.012, subd. 8, in which to register their passenger vehicle. This includes passenger vans and 3/4 ton or less pickups, motorcycles, utility trailers, or travel trailers so long as the license plates displayed on the vehicle are current. If registration expires before the 60 day period is up, new resident must obtain Minnesota registration immediately.
Information needed to register a vehicle in Minnesota
>Current vehicle title or if the title is not available, the current registration card:
~If title reflects a lien and it has been paid, the lien release can be submitted at this time.
~If title is being held by a lending institution, surrender the current registration card. Please note that a Minnesota title will not be issued until surrender of the foreign state title.
>If the vehicle is in joint ownership, only one owner is required to sign the Minnesota application.
>Odometer reading on your vehicle.
>Driver's license or acceptable form of identification.
>If leasing the vehicle, also need to provide a copy of the leasing agreement or a Power of Attorney from the leasing company to person registering the vehicle and their Minnesota Tax ID number.
>Additional requirements apply to title transfers (where ownership is changed).
Insurance Requirements
The Minnesota No-Fault Act, Minn. Stat. § 65B.48, requires owners of motor vehicles to maintain No-Fault insurance. The law makes it a crime for an owner to operate or permit operation of an uninsured motor vehicle or motorcycles upon public road, street, or highway. Violation of the law can result in fines or imprisonment and revocation of driving privileges and motor vehicle license plates. Minnesota Law (Minn. Stat. § 169.791) requires that proof of insurance be in the vehicle at all times and shown to a peace officer upon demand. Insurance information is required when registering, re-registering or transferring ownership of a motor vehicle (Minn. Stat. § 169.798)
PS2000A Application to Title and Register a Motor Vehicle - (01/2021)
(Important Note: The State of Minnesota does not title junked vehicles.)
Application is available at Forms/Documents/Manuals at Motor Vehicle Forms
The typical application fees for a vehicle already registered and titled in your name are:
Title fee - $7.25 (an additional $2 is due to record a lien)
Public Safety Vehicle Fee - $3.50
Filing Fee - $10
License plate fee - $6 ($4.50 for single plate issue - such as trailers and motorcycles)
Registration Tax: Minnesota has an "ad valorem", (Latin for “according to its value”), registration tax system for passenger class vehicles. The age of the vehicle also is a factor in determining passenger registration tax: The minimum tax for vehicles 10 years old and older is $35.
To determine registration tax you may contact MN Dept. of Public Safety (DPS) central office at 651-297-2126 or any Deputy Registrar office.
Typically for 12 months.
Approximately 14 business days.
