Find a license in the A-Z Index

Agency Address: Public Safety (DPS), Minnesota Dept. of
445 Minnesota Street

St. Paul
MN
55101

• a vehicle or combination of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight greater than 26,000 pounds

• a bus 

• a vehicle, regardless of size, that transports a quantity of hazardous materials requiring the vehicle to display placards 

• a self-propelled special mobile equipment mounted on a commercial motor vehicle chassis with a gross vehicle weight more than 26,000 pounds 

Minnesota-registered vehicles housed in other states 

A Minnesota-registered commercial motor vehicle housed and maintained in another state that has been inspected in accordance with federal regulations may be eligible for a certificate of compliance. Note: All Certificate of Compliance requests must be reviewed by Minnesota State Patrol inspectors. They are not available for same-day pick up. 

• Certificate of compliance requirements 

• Form: Statement of vehicle housed and maintained outside of Minnesota ​​ 

Covered farm vehicles 

A covered farm vehicle (CFV) is not required to be inspected or display an annual inspection decal. However, if requested by the owner, a certified inspector may conduct an inspection and affix an official annual inspection decal.​ 

A covered farm vehicle means a single unit or articulated commercial motor vehicle that meets the following criteria: 

• Displays a farm license plate or other designation* issued by a state  

• Is operated by a farmer, or a family member or employee of the farmer 

• Transports agricultural commodities, livestock, machinery or supplies to or from a farm 

• Is not used in for-hire carrier operations 

• Does not transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring the vehicle to display placards 

• When the gross vehicle weight (GVW) is 26,001 pounds or less, is operated anywhere in the United States 

• When the GVW is greater than 26,001 pounds, is operated wholly within its state of registry, or when crossing state lines, is operated within 150 miles of the farm 

*Vehicles displaying Minnesota apportioned, truck class or passenger class license plates, and meeting all other qualifications for a CFV, may complete, print and carry a CFV self-designation form. The form must be carried in the vehicle and displayed upon demand by enforcement personnel. 

Who may perform an annual inspection

• A required inspection may be performed only by the following: 

• An employee of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) or Transportation (MnDOT) who has been certified by the commissioner of public safety after having received training provided by the State Patrol 
  
  
• Another person who is not an employee of DPS or MnDOT certified by the commissioner if the person is: 

            -An owner, or employee of the owner, of one or more commercial motor vehicles that are power
             units 
            -A dealer licensed under Minn. Stat. § 168.27 and engaged in the business of buying and selling
             commercial motor vehicles, or an employee of the dealer 
            -Engaged in the business of repairing and servicing commercial motor vehicles 
            -Employed by a governmental agency that owns commercial vehicles 

How to become a certified inspector

The Minnesota State Patrol partners with several technical colleges and the Minnesota Trucking Association to provide inspector certification and re-certification courses. To register for a class, see the current certification course schedule

How often is re-certification Required 

Inspectors are required to re-certify every two years. You must complete re-certification before the expiration date of your certification. Once your certification expires, you are no longer able to perform inspections. If you do not successfully complete a recertification course within six months following the expiration of your certification, you must successfully complete the full certification course to be reinstated.  

How to get re-certified

To register for recertification, contact the approved course provider at training providers. 

For questions about annual inspections, certification or re-certification 

For answers to MIP (Mandatory Inspection Program) or certification/re-certification questions, call 651-350-2000, option 2, or contact Lt. Dave Hanson at david.hanson@state.mn.us or call 651-247-6468.​​​​​   

MIP resources and updates
Certified Inspector Handbook 

2025 Certified Inspector Student Handbook

Updates from the previous year’s handbook are noted on the MIP updates webpage

 

Only the following forms are accepted. Outdated forms are not accepted. 

 

The following PDF forms may not be filled out online. Where applicable, they may be filled out, printed, and mailed or emailed to the addresses indicated on the forms. 

 

Decal Order Form

Vehicle inspection forms 

​Change of Address Form  (may be mailed or emailed)
 

Change of Employment Form  (may be mailed or emailed) 

Notification of Secondary Employment  (may be mailed or emailed)​