Overview
Buying a motorcycle triggers the same title and tax rules as a car: 6.875% MVST on the price (minus trade-in), the $8.25 title fee, $10 transfer tax, $3.50 Public Safety Vehicle fee, $2.25 technology surcharge, and $12 filing fee, plus a one-time $13.50 plate fee. The same $10 in-lieu rate for vehicles 10+ years old and under $3,000, and the family gift exemption, both apply to motorcycles exactly as they do to cars.
01 - Official fees
Minnesota motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration tax (motorcycle/moped) | $10.00 | flat, no depreciation |
| Filing fee | $8.00 | renewal |
| Technology surcharge | $2.25 | |
| Administrative fee | $1.00 | |
| Plate fee (new) | $13.50 | one-time |
| Title fee (new purchase) | $8.25 | |
| Transfer tax (new purchase) | $10.00 | |
| Sales tax (new purchase) | 6.875% | of price minus trade-in |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your local deputy registrar office (MN Driver and Vehicle Services) - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Minnesota vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Minnesota motorcycle fees FAQ
How much does it cost to renew motorcycle tabs in Minnesota?
About $21.25 a year - a flat $10 registration tax plus the standard $8 filing fee, $2.25 technology surcharge, and $1 administrative fee. That total never changes with your bike's age or value.
Why don't motorcycles pay the same value-based tax as cars?
Minnesota Statute 168.013 sets motorcycle and moped registration tax as a flat $10, unlike the depreciating percentage-of-value formula that applies to passenger vehicles.
Do motorcycles pay county wheelage tax?
No - wheelage tax under Minnesota Statute 163.051 applies to passenger vehicle registrations, not motorcycles, so you skip that $10–$20 county add-on entirely.
What does it cost to title and register a motorcycle I just bought?
Figure roughly $47.25 in DVS paperwork - $8.25 title, $10 transfer tax, $3.50 Public Safety Vehicle fee, $2.25 technology surcharge, $12 filing fee, and a $13.50 plate fee - plus 6.875% sales tax on the purchase price.
Can I get the $10 in-lieu sales tax rate on an old motorcycle?
Yes - the same rule that applies to cars (10+ model years old, purchase price and value both under $3,000) applies to motorcycles, replacing the 6.875% MVST with a flat $10.
Are mopeds registered the same way?
Street-legal mopeds register at the same flat $10 tax and follow the same title/MVST rules as motorcycles; low-speed electric bikes that meet Minnesota's bicycle definition don't need to register at all.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.