• Minnesota residents must have a license plate for their vehcile.Colette Scharf / Design Pics/Valueline/Getty Images
  
  Minnesota offers its drivers a range of license plate options. While there are standard state license plates that are issued to most drivers, Minnesota residents also are able to select, often for an additional fee, a specialty license plate. State residents who qualify also are eligible for license plates denoting their service in the military or as an ambulance attendant, among other services.
  
  

Basic Plates

• Minnesota residents who do not select a different type of plate are issued a basic state license plate for their passenger vehicle or motorcycle. Basic plates for passenger vehicles and motorcycles also are able to be personalized, for an additional fee. Personalized motorcycle plates may contain up to six letters, numbers or spaces, while passenger vehicle plates may contain up to seven. All personalized plates must include at least one letter, be original, and meet any other state requirements.
  
  

Collector Plates

• Vehicles that are used as part of a collection and not driven for general purposes are eligible for one of Minnesota's collector vehicle license plates. Vehicles made before 1936 qualify for a pioneer plate, those made between 1925 and 1948 qualify for a classic car plate and those made between 1935 and at least 1990 qualify for a collector license plate. Vehicles made before 1949 and modernized and those designed to resemble a pre-1949 vehicle qualify for street rod plates. Collector motorcycles that are at least 20 years old qualify for a classic motorcycle plate and all collector vehicles that are at least 20 years old also qualify to use an original Minnesota plate, a license plate that was issued in the same year the the vehicle was built.
  
  

Specialty Plates

• Minnesota drivers may choose from a range of specialty plates for their vehicles. Residents who hold an amateur radio or citizens band radio license qualify for a plate with their call letters. Members of the Minnesota National Guard and Ready Reserves are eligible for state plates that denote their service, as are volunteer ambulance attendants and firefighters. All state residents may select the critical habitat plate, to show support of and help preserve the state's natural habitats and public lands, or a collegiate plate, to show support for one of over 20 participating colleges in the state.
  
  

Veteran Plates

• Veterans who have served in the United States military and have been honorably discharged qualify for special state veterans plates. Veterans who meet the dates of service requirements qualify for World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam Era, Gulf War or Laos War plates. Veterans who served at Pearl Harbor, received a Purple Heart or Medal of Honor or are EX-POWs qualify for license plates that denote their experiences. Veterans who are members of a veteran service organization are eligible for plates noting their membership. Those who do not meet any of the above listed requirements or prefer a different veteran plate may use the state's "Proud to be a Veteran" plates.