7 Minute Miles Header

Minnesota Custom License Plates

Posted November 27, 2023

With Oliver* now scheduled for production in England, I’ve been thinking about what I want for a license plate. Minnesota offers a ton of special plate options, along with the original personalized option. You can’t combine the two, though, which is probably what I would do if I could (i.e. – a loon design with a custom name). The costs vary a lot too – a standard personalized plate is $100, while the various “contribution” plate styles range from $10 to $60 annually (plus fees).

Growing up, I always thought personalized plates were pretty cool (and expensive). The state says there are almost 82,000 of these currently in use and I’ve seen quite a few clever ones over the years. I wish there was an online site where you could check to see if your desired name is available, but right now it’s just a paper form with spots for your top three choices. Don’t really want to gamble $100 unless I know I will get the one I want, so that option is out.

My mom always had the loon plates, which I also had on my first Mini in 2005. I was thinking about another loon, but then heard about the Minnesota State Parks & Trails option (pictured above). It’s $60 annually, but also grants you access to all of the state parks without an additional permit. I see that one a lot on the road (almost 25,000 issued) and it seems like a win-win. Here are a few other plate stats I find interesting:

  • U of M Twin Cities ($25) – 2,839
  • U of M Duluth ($25) – 412
  • Critical Habitat: Loon ($30) – 60,462
  • Critical Habitat: Pollinator ($30) – 9,088
  • Minnesota Golf ($30) – 5,440
  • Veteran: World War II ($15.50) – 170 ❤️
  • Veteran: Pearl Harbor Survivor ($15.50) – 1 ❤️❤️

Oliver is scheduled to roll off the assembly line in Oxford on December 12, followed by a boat ride across the pond. Should be in Minnesota just in time for a big red bow on Christmas morning…

* proposed name for our 2024 Mini Cooper S Hardtop


flourish icon

Go Big! Go Hot Wheels!

Pic posted November 19, 2023

Many, many cars successfully smashed


flourish icon

Hmm… 🤔

Pic posted November 2, 2023

Decisions, decisions


flourish icon

Super busy prep day

Pic posted August 14, 2023

Eye doctor, lunch with DGS, oil change, dinner at Barbette with Keri and Scott (pictured), Grand Old Creamery with MK


flourish icon

Our street has been crapified

Pic posted July 10, 2023

I know they say this extends the life of the road, blah, blah, blah…


flourish icon

Home of the chilito

Pic posted April 15, 2023

Post-round stop at the Bloomington Zantigo – no ‘Tigo fries there either


flourish icon

Welcome to Snow Avenue

Pic posted April 1, 2023

Never seen that before – won’t last long in the sun


flourish icon

Our Florida rental car for the week

Pic posted March 2, 2023

No offense, Toyota, but this is no X3


flourish icon

Life comes at you fast ❄️

Pic posted November 14, 2022

Winter has arrived


flourish icon

Pre-oil change Cane’s

Pic posted October 27, 2022

Sorry, White Castle


flourish icon

Good morning, frost ❄️

Pic posted September 28, 2022

First one of the 2022 fall season


flourish icon

Still cheap gas in Hastings

Pic posted August 25, 2022

Which begs the question, why is everyone else getting gouged?


flourish icon

Link: The Integra is back (with a stick!)

Linked July 12, 2022


flourish icon

I should pay closer attention

Pic posted November 28, 2021

Just learned about Rivian today – interesting stuff


flourish icon

A little brisk this morning

Pic posted October 23, 2021

The car at Jackpot Junction


flourish icon

Hey, we let the Android in?

Pic posted May 21, 2021

Had to reboot the Honda


flourish icon

You stay classy, San Diego

Pic posted March 22, 2021

Union Depot Lot C, Saint Paul, Minnesota


flourish icon

Mother Nature is awesome

Pic posted November 12, 2020

Free flower from Honda


flourish icon

She found her Mary

Pic posted August 19, 2020

2005 Subaru Outback Wagon @ Inver Grove Honda


flourish icon

Because of course

Pic posted July 26, 2019

This market is so not like the others


flourish icon

Just priced out a new MINI

Pic posted June 21, 2019

…and it was $41,266 (!)


flourish icon

You could lose a car in there

Pic posted March 21, 2019

Downtown Saint Paul streets are in rough shape


flourish icon

Third vehicle since October

Pic posted March 4, 2019

Making progress


flourish icon

Hooptie flashback

Pic posted January 14, 2019

My very first car – a something Dodge Colt (’84?)


flourish icon

I could so do this

Pic posted September 26, 2018

DitchWithLyft

The $300 Lyft credit and 11-month Metro Go-To card would be awesome…


flourish icon