Vehicle registration plates of Minnesota

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.

Minnesota
Current series
Slogan10,000 Lakes
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC 123
IntroducedJune 2008 (2008-06)
Availability
Issued byMinnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services Division
History
First issuedMay 15, 1909 (1909-05-15)
(pre-state plates from 1903 through May 14, 1909)

As of 2023, 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
The first automobile license plate in Minnesota, 1903.

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]
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 LBE-603 (as of September 16, 2023)[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
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.[4]
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.[5]

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
  1. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  2. Tanner, Eric N. "Minnesota Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  3. "Minnesota License Plates". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  4. "New Minnesota license plate? Check out the 3 finalists, then vote". Minnesota Public Radio. June 27, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  5. "Minnesota Whiskey Plates – Everything you Need to Know". Eagan, MN: Leverson Budke Criminal Defense. February 20, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
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