Minnesota vehicle registration tabs are the colored stickers you place on your license plate to show your registration is current
In Minnesota, a registration tab is a small decal that displays your vehicle's registration year and month. You affix it to the upper right corner of your license plate. The tab color changes each year — this year's color is different from last year's — so a police officer can see at a glance whether your registration has expired. Without a valid tab, you can be stopped and cited, even if your registration paperwork is current.
Minnesota issues tabs when you register a vehicle or renew your registration with the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The tab itself is free; you pay only the registration fee. If you register or renew online or by mail, the tab arrives with your registration documents. If you register in person at a deputy registrar office, you receive the tab when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota registration tabs are colored stickers that go on your license plate and must match your current registration year.
- You receive a tab automatically when you register a new vehicle or renew your registration — you do not order it separately.
- Tabs expire on the last day of the month shown on the tab, and driving with an expired tab is a traffic violation.
- You can renew your registration online through the Minnesota DPS website, by mail, or in person at a deputy registrar office.
- If your tab is lost, damaged, or never arrived, you can request a replacement from the DPS or a deputy registrar.
Where to get a Minnesota registration tab
When you register a vehicle for the first time in Minnesota, the DPS mails your tab along with your registration certificate and plates (if applicable). The tab arrives in the same envelope as your paperwork. If you are renewing an existing registration, your new tab comes the same way — in the mail with your renewal documents.
If you need a tab when ready and cannot wait for mail delivery, you can visit a deputy registrar office in person. Deputy registrars are located throughout Minnesota in county auditor offices, some city halls, and private businesses. When you register or renew in person, you walk out with your tab the same day. You can find the nearest deputy registrar by searching the DPS website or calling your county auditor's office.
How to renew your registration and receive a new tab
Minnesota registration renews annually on the date shown on your current registration certificate. You have a grace period of one month after expiration to renew without penalty, but your tab becomes invalid on the expiration date itself — driving with an expired tab is a violation even if you have not yet renewed.
To renew, you can go online to the Minnesota DPS website and renew through their portal if your vehicle has no outstanding violations or safety issues. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes, and your new tab and documents arrive by mail within one to two weeks. You can also renew by mail by sending your renewal notice and payment to the address listed on the form, or visit a deputy registrar in person to renew when ready.
When you renew, you will receive a new tab in the color assigned to that registration year. Before your old tab expires, remove it from your plate and install the new one in the same location — upper right corner of the plate.
What to do if your tab is lost, damaged, or never arrived
If your registration tab is damaged, faded, or missing, you can request a replacement. Contact the Minnesota DPS directly by phone or visit their website to request a duplicate tab. You will need to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) and current registration information. The replacement tab is mailed to you at no additional cost and typically arrives within one to two weeks.
If your tab never arrived in the mail after you renewed your registration, wait at least two weeks from the date you submitted your renewal before contacting the DPS. Mail delivery times vary, and tabs sometimes arrive separately from other documents. If two weeks have passed and you still have not received it, call the DPS or visit a deputy registrar with proof of your renewal to request a replacement or temporary authorization to drive.
Tab colors and what they mean
Minnesota assigns a different color to each registration year so officers can quickly identify expired registrations. The color scheme repeats on a cycle, so the same color may appear again after several years. Your tab displays both the color and the expiration month and year in large print. If your tab color does not match the current year's assigned color, your registration has expired.
You can find the current year's tab color on the Minnesota DPS website. When you receive your renewal documents, the color of your new tab will be clearly visible. Installing the correct tab is your responsibility — if you install an old tab or fail to install a new one, you can be cited even if your registration is current.
Penalties for driving without a valid tab
Driving with an expired or missing registration tab is a traffic violation in Minnesota. A police officer can stop you for this reason alone. The citation typically results in a fine, and you may be ordered to show proof of current registration in court or to the court by mail. If you are stopped, you can show the officer your current registration certificate as proof that you are registered, but this does not erase the violation for the expired tab.
If you know your tab has expired or is missing, renew your registration or request a replacement tab when ready. If you are stopped, do not argue about the tab — provide your license, registration, and insurance information as requested, and address the citation through the court process listed on the ticket.
Registering a vehicle for the first time in Minnesota
When you buy a vehicle new or used and register it in Minnesota for the first time, you will receive a tab along with your registration documents and license plates. Bring your proof of ownership (title or bill of sale), proof of insurance, and identification to a deputy registrar office or submit your registration online if you have a Minnesota driver's license. The registration fee depends on your vehicle's weight and type.
If you register online, your tab and plates arrive by mail within two to three weeks. If you register in person, you receive your tab when ready and plates within one to two weeks. Do not drive the vehicle on public roads until you have received your plates and installed your tab, unless you have been issued a temporary permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired tab if my registration is still current?
No. The tab and the registration are separate for enforcement purposes. An expired tab is a violation even if your registration certificate is valid. You must install a new tab before the old one expires, regardless of your registration status.
What if I move to a different state — do I need to remove my Minnesota tab?
Yes. When you move out of state and register your vehicle in your new state, you should remove your Minnesota tab. Your new state will issue its own registration tab or sticker. Driving with a Minnesota tab in another state after you have registered there can cause confusion during traffic stops.
How much does a replacement tab cost?
Replacement tabs are free. You pay only if you are requesting a duplicate registration certificate or other documents. Contact the Minnesota DPS or visit a deputy registrar to request a replacement tab at no charge.
Can I renew my registration before it expires?
Yes. You can renew up to one month before your current registration expires. Early renewal is useful if you want to avoid the rush near the expiration date or if you prefer to renew online and want time for mail delivery.
What happens if I install the new tab before the old one expires?
You should wait until your current tab expires before installing the new one. Installing a new tab early can confuse law enforcement about which registration period is current. Install the new tab on the expiration date of the old one, or shortly after.