Vehicle registration plates of Minnesota
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The U.S. state of Minnesota first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1909, when the state began to issue plates.
As of 2024[update], plates are issued by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety through its Driver and Vehicle Services Division. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
Passenger baseplates
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/First_Minnesotan_license_plate.jpg/220px-First_Minnesotan_license_plate.jpg)
1909 to 1954
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1909 | Silver serial on orange flat metal plate; vertical "MINN" and "1909" in silver at left and right respectively | none | 1234 | 1 to approximately 7000 | |
![]() | 1910 | Gold serial on black flat metal plate; vertical "MINN" and "1910" in gold at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 12000 | |
![]() | 1911 | White serial on dark blue porcelain plate; vertical "MINN" and "1911" in white at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 20000 | |
![]() | 1912–14 | Black serial on silver plate; vertical "MINN" in black at left and "1912", "1913" and "1914" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 67000 | |
![]() | 1915–16 | Red serial on silver plate; vertical "MINNESOTA" at left and "1915", "1916" and "1917" at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 139000 | |
![]() | 1917 | As above, but with vertical "MINN" in red at left | 139001 to approximately 191000 | |||
![]() | 1918–20 | Embossed white serial on black plate; vertical "MINN" at left and "1918", "1919" and "1920" at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 325000 | |
![]() | 1920 | As above, but with only "1920" at right | 325001 to approximately 333000 | |||
![]() | 1921 | Embossed black serial on sky blue plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "21" at bottom left | none | A123-456 | A1 to approximately A142-000 | Weight classes introduced, with 'A' used for vehicles weighing 2,000 lb or less, and 'B' for vehicles above 2,000 lb. This practice continued through 1939. |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B160-000 | |||||
![]() | 1922 | Embossed black serial on off-white plate; vertical "MINN" at right; "22" at bottom left | none | A123-456 | A1 to approximately A176-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B175-000 | |||||
![]() | 1923 | Embossed brown serial on gray plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "23" at bottom left | none | A123-456 | A1 to approximately A224-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B173-000 | |||||
![]() | 1924 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at left; "24" at bottom right | none | 123-456A | 1A to approximately 242-000A | |
123-456B | 1B to approximately 222-000B | |||||
![]() | 1925 | Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "25" at bottom left | none | A123-456 | A1 to approximately A268-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B256-000 | |||||
![]() | 1926 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "26" at bottom left | none | A123-456 | A1 to approximately A249-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B302-000 | |||||
![]() | 1927 | Embossed light green serial on dark green plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "27" at bottom left | none | A123-456 | A1 to approximately A258-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B293-000 | |||||
![]() | 1928 | Embossed black serial on tan plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "28" at bottom left | none | A123-456 | A1 to approximately A243-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B326-000 | |||||
![]() | 1929 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "29" at bottom left | none | A123-456 | A1 to approximately A245-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B379-000 | |||||
![]() | 1930 | Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "30" at bottom left | none | A123-456 | A1 to approximately A196-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B428-000 | |||||
![]() | 1931 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "31" at bottom left | none | A123-456 | A1 to approximately A130-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B453-000 | |||||
![]() | 1932 | Embossed golden yellow serial on maroon plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "32" at bottom left | none | A123-456 | A1 to approximately A111-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B457-000 | |||||
![]() | 1933 | As 1930 base, but with "33" at bottom left | none | A12-345 | A1 to approximately A94-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B475-000 | |||||
![]() | 1934 | As 1931 base, but with "34" at bottom left | none | A12-345 | A1 to approximately A89-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B499-000 | |||||
1935 | As 1932 base, but with "35" at bottom left | none | A12-345 | A1 to approximately A72-000 | ||
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B545-000 | |||||
![]() | 1936 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "36" at bottom left | none | A12-345 | A1 to approximately A58-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B612-000 | |||||
![]() | 1937 | Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "37" at bottom left | none | A12-345 | A1 to approximately A40-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B664-000 | |||||
![]() | 1938 | Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "38" at bottom left | none | A12-345 | A1 to approximately A25-000 | |
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B674-000 | |||||
1939 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; vertical "MINN" at right; "39" at bottom left | none | A12-345 | A1 to approximately A15-000 | ||
B123-456 | B1 to approximately B696-000 | |||||
![]() ![]() | 1940 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MINN - 1940" or "MINNESOTA 1940" (see right) centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 734-000 | The abbreviated state name was used on plates with serials of up to four digits (1 through 9999), and the full state name on plates with five- or six-digit serials. This practice continued through 1948. |
![]() ![]() | 1941 | Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "MINN - 1941" or "MINNESOTA 1941" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 763-000 | |
![]() ![]() | 1942–43 | Embossed red serial on cream plate with border line; "MINN - 1942" or "MINNESOTA 1942" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 748-000 | Revalidated for 1943 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. |
![]() ![]() | 1944 | Embossed white serial on navy blue plate with border line; "MINN - 1944" or "MINNESOTA 1944" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 641-000 | |
![]() | 1945 | As 1941 base, but with "MINN - 1945" or "MINNESOTA 1945" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 633-000 | |
![]() ![]() | 1946 | As 1940 base, but with "MINN - 1946" or "MINNESOTA 1946" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 660-000 | |
![]() | 1947 | As 1941 base, but with "MINN - 1947" or "MINNESOTA 1947" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 717-000 | |
![]() | 1948 | As 1940 base, but with "MINN - 1948" or "MINNESOTA 1948" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 801-000 | |
![]() | 1949 | Embossed black serial on waffle-textured silver plate; "MINNESOTA" centered at top | "1849 - CENTENNIAL - 1949" at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 871-000 | Commemorated the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Minnesota Territory. |
![]() | 1950 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 MINNESOTA 50" at bottom | "10,000 LAKES" centered at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 962-000 | First use of the "10,000 Lakes" slogan. |
![]() | 1951 | Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "19 MINNESOTA 51" at bottom | "10,000 LAKES" centered at top | 123-456 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-005-000 | |
1952 | Embossed blue serial on gold plate with border line; "19 MINNESOTA 52" at bottom | "10,000 LAKES" centered at top | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 994-000 | ||
1953 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 MINNESOTA 53" at bottom | "10,000 LAKES" centered at top | 123-456 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-040-000 | ||
1954 | Embossed blue serial on cream plate with border line; "19 MINNESOTA 54" at bottom | "10,000 LAKES" centered at top | 123-456 1-234-567 | 1 to approximately 1-075-000 |
1955 to present
In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[1] The 1954 (dated 1955) issue was the first Minnesota license plate that complied with these standards.
Since 1989, Minnesota law has required license plates to be replaced every seven years, due to deterioration of the reflective material.[2]
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1955 | Embossed yellow serial on maroon plate with border line; "19 MINNESOTA 55" at bottom | "10,000 LAKES" centered at top | AB 1234 | First letter corresponds to congressional district of issue | First 6" x 12" plate. Letters A, B, C, E, F, G, H, J and K were used to indicate the nine congressional districts of the time, in that order. |
LB 1234 MB 1234 | LA 1000 to approximately MD 9999 | Mail-order issues. | ||||
![]() ![]() | 1956–57 | Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "19 MINNESOTA 56" at bottom | "10,000 LAKES" centered at top | 1B 1234 | First number corresponds to congressional district of issue | Revalidated for 1957 with gold tabs. |
MB 1234 | Mail-order issues. | |||||
![]() ![]() | 1958–59 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "19 MINNESOTA 58" at bottom | "10,000 LAKES" centered at top | 1B 1234 | First number corresponds to congressional district of issue | Revalidated for 1959 with green tabs. |
MB 1234 | Mail-order issues. | |||||
![]() ![]() | 1960–61 | Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "19 MINNESOTA 60" at bottom | "10,000 LAKES" within embossed black bar centered at top | 1B 1234 | First number corresponds to congressional district of issue | Revalidated for 1961 with blue tabs. |
MB 1234 | Mail-order issues. | |||||
![]() ![]() ![]() | 1962–64 | Embossed maroon serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MINNESOTA" within embossed maroon bar centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "62" at bottom right | "10,000 LAKES" within embossed maroon bar centered at top | 1B 1234 | First number corresponds to congressional district of issue | Revalidated for 1963 with green tabs, and for 1964 with yellow tabs. |
MB 1234 | Mail-order issues. | |||||
![]() | 1965–67 | Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "19 MINNESOTA 65" at bottom | "10,000 LAKES" centered at top | 1BC 123 | First number corresponds to congressional district of issue | Revalidated for 1966 and 1967 with stickers. |
MBC 123 | MAA 100 to approximately MLC 999 | Mail-order issues. | ||||
![]() ![]() | 1968–70 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MINNESOTA" within embossed blue bar centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "68" at bottom right | "10,000 LAKES" within embossed blue bar centered at top | 1BC 123 | First number corresponds to congressional district of issue | Revalidated for 1969 and 1970 with stickers. |
MBC 123 | MAA 100 to approximately MNN 999 | Mail-order issues. | ||||
![]() | 1971–73 | Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "19 MINNESOTA 71" at bottom | "10,000 LAKES" centered at top | 1BC 123 | First number corresponds to congressional district of issue | Revalidated for 1972 and 1973 with stickers. |
MBC 123 | MAA 100 to approximately MPA 999 | Mail-order issues. | ||||
![]() ![]() | 1974–77 | Embossed orange serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MINNESOTA" centered at bottom; "19" at top left and "74" at top right | "10,000 LAKES" centered at top | AB 1234 | AA 1000 to approximately PW 3999 | Some plates manufactured using Illinois' serial dies. Monthly staggered registration introduced 1975. |
![]() | 1977 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MINNESOTA" centered at top | "10,000 LAKES" centered at bottom | ABC 123 | AAA 001 to CGZ 999 | |
![]() | 1978–82 | Embossed blue serial on reflective graphic plate featuring a lake scene with pale blue and white water, pale blue sky, green island and trees, and a small green canoe; "Minnesota" screened in blue centered at top | "10,000 lakes" screened in blue centered at bottom | ABC 123 | CHA 001 to approximately FOR 999 | |
![]() | 1982–87 | As above, but with embossed state shape used as separator in serial | ABC-123 | LAA-001 to approximately RMF-999 | ||
![]() | 1987–93 | As 1978–87 base, but with darker colors | "EXPLORE" screened in blue to left of state name, giving "Explore Minnesota"; "10,000 lakes" screened in blue centered at bottom | 123-ABC | 001-AAA to approximately 999-HZK | Replaced all 1977–87 plates. |
![]() | 1993–97 | 001-HZL to approximately 999-PYW | White section of water now fades into the light blue band at the bottom containing the "10,000 lakes" slogan. | |||
![]() | 1997–2000 | ABC-123 | AAA-001 to DBZ-999 | Material changed from steel to aluminum. | ||
![]() | 2000 – June 2008 | DCA-001 to XZZ-999; SAA-001 to SZZ-999 | White section of water increased in size; fade to light blue at bottom now occurs behind the "10,000 lakes" slogan. 'W', 'Y' and 'Z' series of serials not used; 'S' series issued after 'X' series. | |||
![]() | June 2008 – June 2009 | As 1987–2008 base, but with screened black serial and dark blue state-shaped separator, and state name in a different serifed font | "EXPLORE" and "10,000 lakes" as on 1987–2008 base, but in a different serifed font | 123-ABC | 001-AAA to 999-XZZ | 'B' series of serials reserved for mail-order issues. 'F', 'S', 'Y' and 'Z' series not used.[2][why?] |
![]() | June 2009 – September 2017 | As before but with ".com" added to right of state name, giving "Explore Minnesota.com" | ||||
![]() | September 2017 – present | ABC-123 | AAA-001 to RCP-150 (as of June 6, 2024)[3] | 'M', 'N' and 'P' series of serials reserved for mail-order issues. |
Optional plates
Image | Type | Dates issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Blackout | January 1, 2024[4] – present | Screened white serial on black plate; white state outline used as separator; "Minnesota" and "10,000 lakes" screened in white centered at top and bottom respectively | ZBC-123 | ZAA-001 to ZEN-264 (as of June 25, 2024)[3] | Series ZXA through ZXZ reserved for mail-order issues. |
![]() | Critical Habitat – Chickadee | May 2009 – present | Screened black serial on green plate, with a chickadee on left. "Reinvest in Minnesota" and "Critical Habitat" centered at top and bottom respectively | 4AB123 | ||
![]() | Critical Habitat – Classic Deer | June 1996 – present | AB123 1AB123 | AA001 to HZ999 NA001 to NZ999 1AA001 to 1AC958 (as of June 2019) | First "Critical habitat" license plates and the only ones that are embossed. The screened version was released much later. Letters I, O, Q are not used for all the "Critical Habitat" plates, this practice still continues today. | |
![]() | Critical Habitat – Common loon | April 2002 – present | Screened black serial on fall landscape with lake plate, with a common loon in left. "Reinvest in Minnesota" and "Critical Habitat" centered at top and bottom respectively | AB123 2AB123 | JA 001 to MZ 999 PA 001 to ZZ 999 2AA001 to 2GE068 (as of June 2019) | The first version is with blue serial and continued registrations after Classic Deer plates. |
![]() | Critical Habitat – Fishing | May 2009 – present | Screened black serial on landscape sunset plate, with two fishermen in a boat in left. "Reinvest in Minnesota" and "Critical Habitat" centered at top and bottom respectively, but the "O" is a fishing float | 3AB123 | ||
![]() | Critical Habitat – Lady slipper | May 2009 – present | Screened black serial on pink plate, with a lady slipper orchid on left. "Reinvest in Minnesota" and "Critical Habitat" centered at top and bottom respectively | 5AB123 | ||
![]() | Critical Habitat – Moose | August 2014 – present | Screened black serial on light blue plate, with a moose on left. "Reinvest in Minnesota" and "Critical Habitat" centered at top and bottom respectively | 8AB123 | The chosen design is part of Les Kouba painting, his signature is present on the left as well. | |
![]() | Critical Habitat – Pheasant | November 2013 – present | Screened black serial on ocher plate, with two pheasants who flight on left. "Reinvest in Minnesota" and "Critical Habitat" centered at top and bottom respectively | 7AB123 | ||
![]() | Critical Habitat – White-tailed deer | May 2009 – present | Screened black serial on light yellow at the top and grey plate, with a white-tailed dear on left. "Reinvest in Minnesota" and "Critical Habitat" centered at top and bottom respectively | 6AB123 | ||
![]() | Critical Habitat – Wild turkey | November 2016 – present | Screened black serial on fall landscape plate, with a wild turkey in left. "Reinvest in Minnesota" and "Critical Habitat" centered at top and bottom respectively | 9AB123 | ||
![]() | Golf | July 2015 – present | Screened black serial on graphic plate with light blue sky at top, golf course at bottom and black silhouette of golfer at left; "PLAY GOLF Minnesota" screened in blue (plus a golf ball for the 'O' in the state name) at top and "The Game For A Lifetime" in white at bottom | CB123 1234CB | CA001 to approximately CE999; 0001CA to present | |
![]() | State Parks and Trails | October 2016 – present | Screened black serial on landscape with a wood bridge and a boat in left. "Minnesota" and "STATE PARK AND TRAILS" centered at top and bottom respectively | 1PB123 | 1PA001 to 1PH850 (as of June 2019) | Plate created as part of the 125th anniversary celebration of Minnesota state parks and trails. The design was chosen in July 2016 after an online vote.[5] |
![]() | Support Our Troops | December 2005 – present | Screened blue or black serial (see right) on graphic plate with national flag in background and bald eagle at left; "Minnesota" and "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS" screened in blue centered at top and bottom respectively | 123AB 1234AB | 001AA to approximately 999EH; 0001AA to present | Original design had a blue serial over a full national flag background. Current design has a black serial on a white section in the middle, plus a different font for the "Support Our Troops" slogan. |
Non-passenger plates
Image | Type | Dates issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Farm Truck | 1997–2008 | Embossed green serial on white plate; "MINNESOTA" and "FARM TRUCK" centered at top and bottom respectively; weight class sticker at right | T/L C1234 | T/L A0001 to approxminately T/L D5200 | |
![]() | 2008–present | As current passenger base; "Farm Truck" centered at bottom, "FEB" at bottom left and weight class sticker at right | TLC1234 | TLD5201 to TLJ1941 (as of July 20, 2022)[3] | ||
![]() | Motorcycle | 1976–80 | Embossed blue serial on white plate; "MINNESOTA" and "M.C." centered at top and bottom respectively | 123-456 | 000-001 to approximately 350-000 | |
![]() | 1981–90 | As above, but with "10,000 LAKES" at bottom, offset to left | M/B 12-345 | M/L 00-001 to M/N 99-999; M/R 00-001 to approximately M/R 65-000 | ||
1990–99 | 12-345 M/B | 00-001 M/A to approximately 60-000 M/C | ||||
![]() | 1999–2008 | As above, but with "FEB M.C." in place of slogan | 60-001 M/C to approximately 24-000 M/G | |||
![]() | 2008–present | Similar to current passenger base; "MOTORCYCLE" centered at bottom and "FEB" at bottom left | 12345MB | 24001MG to 89236MJ (as of October 2, 2021)[3] | ||
![]() | Special Registration | c. 1995–2008 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MINNESOTA" and "10,000 LAKES" centered at top and bottom respectively | WB1234 | Issued to owners of vehicles in which DUI offenses are committed, while the vehicles' regular plates are impounded. Minnesota is one of only two states to issue such plates, the other being Ohio.[6] Nicknamed "whiskey plates" because their serials start with 'W', and "whiskey" is this letter's code word in the NATO phonetic alphabet. | |
![]() | 2008–present | Screened black serial on white plate; "Minnesota" and "10,000 lakes" centered at top and bottom respectively | ||||
![]() | Truck | 1997–2008 | Embossed blue serial on white plate; "MINNESOTA" and "10,000 LAKES" centered at top and bottom respectively; weight class sticker at right | Y/B C1234 | Y/A A0001 to approximately Y/B A8000 | |
![]() | 2008–present | As current passenger base; "FEB" at bottom left and weight class sticker at right | YBC1234 | YBB0001 to YCD4180 (as of March 1, 2023)[3] |
References
- ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
- ^ a b Tanner, Eric N. "Minnesota Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Minnesota License Plates". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Krueger, Andrew (April 7, 2024). "Just three months after launch, sales of Minnesota blackout plates near 50,000". MPR News. Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "New Minnesota license plate? Check out the 3 finalists, then vote". Minnesota Public Radio. June 27, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Minnesota Whiskey Plates – Everything you Need to Know". Eagan, MN: Leverson Budke Criminal Defense. February 20, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
External links
- Minnesota license plates, 1969–present