Your vehicle can be an extension of your personality. In Minnesota, custom and specialty license plates offer a unique way to showcase your passions, support meaningful causes, or add a personal touch to your daily commute. This guide details how to navigate the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) system to secure your ideal custom plate, covering options, fees, the application process, and how to avoid common rejection pitfalls.
How to Apply for Your Custom Minnesota License Plate
Securing your custom plate involves a straightforward process, provided you have the correct documentation.
- Determine Your Plate Type: Decide whether you want a personalized plate, a cause-related specialty plate, or a veteran/military plate.
- Prepare Your Choices (Personalized Only): If applying for a personalized plate, prepare at least three desired letter/number combinations. Since online availability checks are not offered, having backups ensures your application can proceed if your first choice is taken. You must also provide an explanation for the meaning of each choice, which the DVS uses during the review process.
- Submit Your Application: You can apply for most special plates in person at any Deputy Registrar office or License Center. Some specialty plates can also be ordered online through the Minnesota DVS website (drive.mn.gov) using the “change plates” transaction.
Required Documents and Eligibility
To ensure a smooth application process, gather the following before applying:
- Application for Special Plates: This form must be completed and signed by the vehicle owner.
- Vehicle Information: You will need your current license plate number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Proof of Insurance: You must attest that you have current vehicle insurance as required by Minnesota law.
- Specific Eligibility Documents: If applying for a Veteran or Military plate, bring your DD-214 or active-duty letter.
The Cost of Customization: Fees and Contributions
Customizing your Minnesota license plate involves various fees and, for specialty plates, annual contributions. Personalized plates incur an initial $100 personalization fee, in addition to standard plate fees ($15.50 for passenger vehicles, $13.50 for motorcycles). All applications include a $12 filing fee, with an $8 filing fee for each registration renewal.
Cause-related specialty plates require annual contributions: typically $30 for Critical Habitat and Support Our Troops plates, and $25 for Collegiate plates. Some, like the “Proud to be a Veteran” plate, have a one-time $30 contribution to the WWII memorial fund.
| Plate Type | Initial Fee / Personalization Fee | Annual Contribution |
| Personalized Plate | $100 | None |
| Critical Habitat / Support Our Troops | Standard Plate Fee | $30 |
| Collegiate Plates | Standard Plate Fee | $25 |
| Proud to be a Veteran | Standard Plate Fee | $30 (One-time) |
What You Can and Can’t Put on Your Personalized Plate
The Minnesota DVS Special Plates Unit reviews all personalized plate requests to ensure they meet state guidelines and maintain a family-friendly environment on the roads.
To avoid rejection, your personalized plate combination must adhere to the following rules:
- Letter Requirement: The combination must include at least one letter character; it cannot consist entirely of numbers.
- No Duplication: The combination cannot duplicate any existing plate or plate series used by the department (e.g., specific truck or trailer class series).
- Formatting Restrictions: Combinations of two or three letters with two, three, or four numbers (e.g., ABC123 or 12AA) are not allowed. Additionally, characters that look similar, such as the letter “O” and the number “0”, or the letter “I” and the number “1”, are considered the same and cannot be duplicated to create new combinations.
- Appropriateness: Any combination deemed to offend public morals or decency will be rejected.
The Review Process for Custom Plate Applications: The State of Minnesota reserves the right to deny any letter and number combination for any reason. The Special Plates Unit reviews the requested combination and the explanation provided by the applicant. If a combination is deemed inappropriate, too similar to an existing plate, or in violation of formatting rules, the application will be denied, which is why providing multiple options is crucial.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, the Minnesota DVS does not currently offer an online tool to check the availability of personalized plate combinations. You must submit your choices on the application, and availability will be verified during processing.
Passenger vehicles can have up to seven characters (including spaces and hyphens). Motorcycles, one-ton pickup trucks, and recreational vehicles are limited to a maximum of six characters.
Yes, personalized plates are issued to the owner and can be transferred to another vehicle owned by the same individual, provided the new vehicle is of the same class and the appropriate transfer fees are paid.
Conclusion
Navigating the process of obtaining a custom Minnesota license plate allows you to personalize your vehicle while potentially supporting causes you care about. By understanding the available options, preparing the necessary documentation, and adhering to DVS guidelines, you can successfully acquire a plate that reflects your unique identity. Take the next step: visit the Minnesota DVS website or your local License Center to begin your application and make your vehicle truly your own.
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