Vehicle license or registration - Minnesota

License plate display

If the vehicle is a trailer registered at greater than 3,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW), a semitrailer, or vehicle displaying a dealer plate, then one license plate must be displayed horizontally or vertically and must be mounted on the rear of the vehicle.

If the vehicle is a trailer with 3,000 pounds or less GVW with lifetime registration, the numbered plate or sticker must be adhered to the side of the trailer frame tongue near the hitch.

If the vehicle is a truck-tractor, road-tractor, or farm truck, then one plate must be displayed on the front of the vehicle.

If the motor vehicle is any kind of motor vehicle other than those provided for above, one plate must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle.

Reciprocity

Minnesota has the following border reciprocity agreements:

• Iowa: Farm registered vehicles-no mileage limitation. Chartered and school buses-no mileage limitation. Dealer, Transporter, In-transit permit-no mileage limitation.
• South Dakota: Vehicles operated within 20 miles of the border.
• North Dakota: Vehicles operated within 20 miles of the border. ND farm registered vehicles may travel in the western half of MN (includes intrastate and interstate operations). MN farm registered vehicles may travel in the eastern half of ND (call for specific location) .
• Wisconsin: Vehicles operated within 30 miles of the border. Chartered and school buses-no mileage limitation. In-transit and temporary operation plates and permit vehicles - no mileage limitation.

Verify with Minnesota if vehicles qualify before operating in Minnesota. Reciprocity applies to interstate operation only, except farm plated vehicles can operate interstate and intrastate when transporting their own farm products, farm supplies, or farm equipment.

International Registration Plan

Minnesota is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP). The IRP is a base state system for vehicle registration fees allowing a carrier to apply for vehicle registration and pay fees to a single jurisdiction.

The IRP provides for all carriers from participating states, operating as a fleet, to apportion fees. The IRP defines a fleet as one or more apportionable vehicles operating in one or more member jurisdictions. An apportionable vehicle under IRP is defined as a power unit having two axles and a gross weight over 26,000 pounds, or a power unit with three or more axles regardless of weight, or a combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds.

Minnesota requires all carriers with an IRP account to have a USDOT number.

If the registrant is renting or leasing the vehicle to an interstate motor carrier who will be responsible for the safe operation of this vehicle, provide the USDOT number according to the following:

• Short Term Lease: If the vehicle is rented or leased for 30 days or less to a motor carrier, provide the registrant’s US DOT number.
• Long Term Lease: If the vehicle is leased for more than 30 days to an interstate motor carrier, provide the US DOT number of the motor carrier responsible for the safety of this vehicle.

The carrier is responsible for mailing the original supporting documents and application fees to the Minnesota Prorate office within five days of receiving the fax. When Minnesota receives the originals with payment of all applicable fees, they will mail the carrier’s permanent registration credentials.

Temporary Permit: The IRP temporary permit allows the carrier to operate in all IRP jurisdictions the carrier is registered for until permanent registration credentials are issued. A temporary permit may be issued for a period of 60-days at no fee. The temporary permit is available from the Minnesota Prorate office. The temporary registration document allows carriers to operate in all IRP states until the permanent registration credentials are issued (plate, stickers, and cab card).

Hunter's Permit: The hunter's permit enables a vehicle or combination of vehicle to use the highways for the purpose of locating a new job. The hunter's permit is valid for vehicles operating at empty weight only, and is non-transferable from vehicle to vehicle. The hunter's permit is valid for 10 days.

Agency: Department of Public Safety, Driver & Vehicle Services Division (intrastate and US DOT number). Department of Public Safety, Administrative Truck Center (IRP); see Regulatory Agencies for address(es).