Subdivision 1. Registration required. No trailer or motor vehicle, except as is exempted by section 168.012, may be used or operated upon the public streets or highways of the state in any calendar year until it is registered as provided in this section, the motor vehicle tax and fees as provided in this chapter are paid, and the number plates issued for the trailer or motor vehicle are displayed on it. No trailer or motor vehicle, except as provided by section 168.012, which for any reason is not subject to taxation as provided in this chapter, may be used or operated upon the public streets or highways of this state until it is registered as provided in this section and displays number plates as required by this chapter, except that the purchaser of a new trailer or motor vehicle may operate it without plates if the permit authorized by section 168.091 or 168.092 is displayed.
Subd. 2. Reregistration. When a motor vehicle registered in Minnesota, has during the calendar year for which it is so registered, been reregistered for the following year, the display on such motor vehicle of the plates issued for such motor vehicle on its reregistration for the following year shall on and after November 15 of the calendar year in which it was so reregistered constitute compliance with subdivision 1 requiring display of plates except as provided in subdivisions 3 and 4.
Subd. 3. Proratable vehicles; other vehicles. (a) Plates or other insignia issued for a motor vehicle registered under section 168.187 for a calendar year shall be displayed on the motor vehicle not later than 12:01 a.m. on March 2 of the year unless extended by the registrar for the period of time required for the issuance of the new plates or insignia. The registration year for vehicles registered under section 168.187, as provided in this section, is from March 1 to the last day of February for 1995 and succeeding years.
(b) Except for a motor vehicle registered under section 168.017 or 168.187, plates or other insignia issued for a self-propelled motor vehicle registered for over 27,000 pounds shall be displayed on the vehicle not later than 12:01 a.m. on March 2 of the year, and, except for recreational equipment, not earlier than 12:01 a.m. on February 15 of the year, unless otherwise extended by the registrar for the period of time required for issuing the new plates or insignia.
(c) Except for a motor vehicle registered under section 168.017 or 168.187, plates or other insignia issued for a self-propelled vehicle registered for 27,000 pounds or less and all other motor vehicles shall be displayed not later than 12:01 a.m. on March 2 of the year, and, except for recreational equipment, not earlier than January 1 of the year unless otherwise extended by the registrar for the period of time required for issuing the new plates or insignia. The registration year for all vehicles as provided in this paragraph and paragraph (b) is from March 1 to the last day of February for 1979 and succeeding years.
Subd. 4. Display. A vehicle registered under the monthly series system of registration shall display the plates and insignia issued within ten days of the first day of the month which commences the registration period.
Subd. 5. Defenses to failure to renew. No person may be charged with violating this section by reason of failure to renew the registration of a previously registered motor vehicle, except those vehicles registered under section 168.187, if:
(1) the person produces a statement from the registrar to the effect that the person was not notified by the registrar of the annual renewal for the registration of the vehicle to which a citation was issued; and
(2) the person renews the registration and pays the motor vehicle tax and fees due within ten days of being cited for the violation.
Subd. 6. Semitrailer. For a semitrailer, as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 30, a number plate must be assigned to the registered owner as identification for the vehicle. This number plate must not display a year designator. The registration card must indicate the number plate for the number plate to be valid.
Subd. 7. Display of temporary permit. (a) A vehicle that displays a Minnesota plate issued under this chapter may display a temporary permit in conjunction with expired registration if:
(1) the current registration tax and all other fees and taxes have been paid in full; and
(2) the plate has been applied for.
(b) A vehicle may display a temporary permit in conjunction with expired registration, with or without a registration plate, if:
(1) the plates have been applied for;
(2) the registration tax and other fees and taxes have been paid in full; and
(3) either the vehicle is used solely as a collector vehicle while displaying the temporary permit and not used for general transportation purposes or the vehicle was issued a 21-day permit under section 168.092, subdivision 1.
(c) The permit is valid for a period of 60 days. The permit must be in a format prescribed by the commissioner, affixed to the rear of the vehicle where a license plate would normally be affixed, and plainly visible. The permit is valid only for the vehicle for which it was issued to allow a reasonable time for the new plates to be manufactured and delivered to the applicant. The permit may be issued only by the commissioner or by a deputy registrar under section 168.33.
(2675) 1921 c 461 s 4; 1923 c 418 s 4; 1927 c 88; 1945 c 14 s 1; 1949 c 130; 1957 c 714 s 1; 1969 c 75 s 1; 1971 c 1 s 1; 1974 c 121 s 6; 1976 c 39 s 5; 1978 c 613 s 1,2; 1981 c 167 s 2,3; 1984 c 549 s 8,9; 1985 c 64 s 1; 1985 c 291 s 13; 1986 c 444; 1990 c 446 s 1; 1993 c 281 s 1,2; 1994 c 536 s 7; 2000 c 426 s 3; 1Sp2001 c 8 art 2 s 31; 2002 c 371 art 1 s 5,6; 1Sp2005 c 6 art 2 s 3; 2008 c 350 art 1 s 12; 2009 c 86 art 1 s 25; 2020 c 100 s 4
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 160 - 174A — Transportation
Chapter 168 — Vehicle Registration, Taxation, Sale
Section 168.002 — Definitions.
Section 168.012 — Vehicles Exempt From Tax Or License Fees.
Section 168.013 — Vehicle Registration Taxes.
Section 168.0135 — Motor Vehicle Registration Self-service Kiosks.
Section 168.014 — Owner's Registration Certificate; Expiration.
Section 168.016 — Collection Of Tax Rate Increase.
Section 168.017 — Monthly Series Registration System.
Section 168.018 — Quarterly Registration Of Farm Trucks.
Section 168.0185 — Record Of Vehicle Registration; Disclosure.
Section 168.021 — Plates For Physically Disabled Persons.
Section 168.022 — Mandatory Tax Refund Due To Lemon Law.
Section 168.031 — Registration Exemption; Active Military Service.
Section 168.032 — Proportionate Refund To Person On Active Military Service.
Section 168.033 — May Pay Proportionate Part Of Tax.
Section 168.04 — Military Personnel; Exemptions.
Section 168.041 — Impounding Registration Plates.
Section 168.05 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.053 — Drive-away In-transit License.
Section 168.054 — Liability Insurance Policy.
Section 168.056 — Towing Violation A Misdemeanor; Exceptions.
Section 168.057 — Fees Credited To Highway User Fund.
Section 168.09 — Registration; Reregistration.
Section 168.091 — 31-day Temporary Vehicle Permit.
Section 168.092 — 21-day Temporary Vehicle Permit.
Section 168.10 — Registration; Collector Vehicle.
Section 168.101 — Ownership And Registration By Minor; Prohibitions.
Section 168.102 — School Bus; Preregistration Inspection.
Section 168.105 — Classic Motorcycle Registration.
Section 168.11 — Registration Certificate.
Section 168.121 — Special Plates Remembering Victims Of Impaired Drivers.
Section 168.123 — Veterans; Special Plates.
Section 168.1235 — Veterans Service Group Emblems.
Section 168.124 — Special Plates For Medal Of Honor Recipients.
Section 168.125 — Special Plates For Former Prisoners Of War.
Section 168.1253 — Gold Star License Plate.
Section 168.1255 — "proud To Be A Veteran" Plate.
Section 168.1256 — Retired Law Enforcement Special Plates.
Section 168.126 — Commuter Vans; Registration, Special License Plates.
Section 168.127 — Fleet Vehicles; Registration, Fee.
Section 168.128 — Limousine Plates.
Section 168.1282 — "start Seeing Motorcycles" Special Plates.
Section 168.1284 — Minnesota 100 Club Plates.
Section 168.1285 — Minnesota Agriculture Plates.
Section 168.1286 — Honorary Consul Plates.
Section 168.129 — Special Collegiate Plates.
Section 168.1291 — Certain Special Plates; Uniform Design, Unique Emblems.
Section 168.1293 — Certain Special Plates; Authorization, Discontinuance.
Section 168.1294 — Law Enforcement Memorial Plates.
Section 168.1295 — State Parks And Trails Plates.
Section 168.1296 — Critical Habitat Plates.
Section 168.1297 — Special "rotary Member" Plates.
Section 168.1298 — Special "support Our Troops" Plates.
Section 168.1299 — Minnesota Golf Plates.
Section 168.13 — Proof Of Ownership.
Section 168.15 — Rights As To Registration Certificate And Plates.
Section 168.16 — Registration Tax Refund; Appropriation.
Section 168.17 — Suspension Of Registration.
Section 168.181 — Nonresidents, Reciprocity Agreements Or Arrangements.
Section 168.183 — Motor Vehicles Of Certain Nonresidents.
Section 168.185 — Usdot Numbers.
Section 168.187 — Interstate Registration And Reciprocity.
Section 168.201 — Denial Or Withdrawal Of Benefits And Privileges.
Section 168.211 — Subjection To State Laws Generally.
Section 168.221 — Commercial Vehicles; Taxes Or Fees.
Section 168.25 — Vehicles Used For Testing.
Section 168.26 — Certain Manufacturers Need Not Register.
Section 168.27 — Motor Vehicle Dealers; Violations, Penalties.
Section 168.2701 — Liability Of Lessors For Unpaid Traffic Fines.
Section 168.2702 — Motor Vehicle Leases; Indemnity Agreements.
Section 168.271 — Informational Labels On Pickup Trucks; Penalty.
Section 168.274 — Definitions.
Section 168.275 — Sale Of Motor Vehicle On Sunday Forbidden.
Section 168.276 — Suspension Or Revocation Of Dealer License.
Section 168.277 — Motor Vehicle Purchases; Disclosure.
Section 168.28 — Vehicles Subject To Tax; Exceptions.
Section 168.29 — Replacement Plates.
Section 168.301 — Vehicle Transfer Deadline; Fees; Suspension.
Section 168.31 — Registration Tax Payment.
Section 168.321 — New Vehicle Manufacturer's Statement.
Section 168.325 — Division Of Driver And Vehicle Services.
Section 168.326 — Expedited Driver And Vehicle Services; Fee.
Section 168.327 — Driver And Vehicle Record Fees.
Section 168.33 — Commissioner As Registrar Of Vehicles; Deputy Registrars.
Section 168.34 — Information Furnished.
Section 168.345 — Use Of Vehicle Registration Information.
Section 168.346 — Privacy Of Personal Information.
Section 168.35 — Intent To Escape Tax; Gross Misdemeanor.
Section 168.36 — Unlawful Use Of Unregistered Vehicle Certificate, Plates.
Section 168.37 — Plate Tabs Or Stickers; Monthly Registration System.
Section 168.381 — Manufacture Of Vehicle Plates; Appropriations.
Section 168.50 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.51 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.52 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.53 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.54 — Motor Vehicles, Transfer Of Ownership.
Section 168.61 — Intercity Bus.
Section 168.62 — Intercity Bus Registration.
Section 168.63 — Intercity Bus; Registrar Duties.
Section 168.64 — Intercity Bus Rules, Requirements.
Section 168.65 — Intercity Bus Violations.
Section 168.841 — Definition Of Rental Truck.
Section 168.842 — Registration And Taxation Of Rental Truck.
Section 168.843 — Registration And Taxation Of Rental Trailer.
Section 168.844 — Other Fleet Rental Vehicles.
Section 168.845 — Rules For Rental Trucks And Trailers.
Section 168.846 — Misdemeanor Violation Of Rental Vehicle Laws.