Do Minnesota License Plates Stay With The Car Or The Driver?

Over the years I have purchased several vehicles. I have purchased a vehicles both here in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and in Arizona. There is one thing that differs here in Minnesota than in some other states. And I'm not quite sure why that is, but here ya go.

MINNESOTA IS USUALLY A STATE WHERE YOU DO NOT KEEP YOUR PLATES

Minnesota is one of the states that usually has the license plate go with the car instead of the with the driver. And Minnesota is the place where I have traded, sold and purchased the most vehicles. When I happened to do this while I was living in Wisconsin, I was surprised to find that a Wisconsin license plate stays with the driver, not the vehicle. So if you are trying to remember your license plate number, it's much easier when it is always the same. Also, when you purchase a new or new to you car there, you don't have to wait for the plates. They just transfer right over.

ONE THING IS NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THE OTHER

Well, now back here in Minnesota. I recently purchased a new to me used vehicle. I also pay extra for the Club 100 plates and I didn't want to lose those since I just paid the yearly fee for tabs and license. That wasn't cheap, so I didn't want to have to do that again when I just did it. I asked the sales person at the dealership if that was possible to transfer them over. Expecting them to say no, I just thought I would ask anyway. Never hurts to ask. To my surprise, it's totally possible, and they were able to give me my same plates on the new vehicle.

Thinking "why hasn't this always been the case" I did some research. And it turns out that if you are in Minnesota purchasing a vehicle, and you have the regular Minnesota license plates, you are stuck. Those go with the vehicle. However, if you have one of the specialty plates wheither it's a personalized one (vanity plate) or one of the other critical habitat plates, or in this case, a Club 100 plate, you can keep those. The plates in those cases can transfer with the driver. You do need to ask, and you do need to fill out the needed paperwork to make that happen.

Standard plates: These remain on the vehicle when ownership changes. The buyer uses the existing plates until they register the vehicle in their own name and get new ones or update the registration.

Special or personalized plates: If you have custom or specialty plates, you can sometimes apply to transfer them to a new vehicle registered in your name, but you must complete the proper special plate application process rather than just keeping standard issue plates on a whim.

If you are interested in doing this, and you are trading and purchasing from a dealership, you do have to ask. They will help you with the paperwork. Very easy, and no waiting for my plates to come. They put them on my car for me. Awesome. "The More You Know". (NBC)