Questions and answers
The following were the questions asked during the training, as well as the answers:
New dealer training: Held for Resale (HFR)
1: Is it possible to see a list of all the HFR vehicles listed for our dealership?
A: Yes. In e-Services for Business there is a link labelled Search Vehicle Notification History in the Other Services panel.
2: Does this information pertain to boat trailers?
A: All vehicles, regardless of type.
3: Is there a scenario when we wouldn't put a vehicle in HFR status?
A: An out of state (OOS) title with no Minnesota history.
4: Do we have to remove lifetime stickers?
A: No. Void them with a permanent marker and then cover up with the new sticker after the vehicle is sold.
5: Since all stickers have to be removed, we must get new stickers every time. Correct?
A: Yes.
6: Do we also remove license plates (plates) from recreational vehicles (RVs)?
A: Yes.
7: We have a lot of semi-trailers with lifetime plates. Do we still remove those plates, or get new plates and not pay for registration?
A: Yes, remove the old plates. Plates must be replaced on all vehicles.
8: Do we remove plates from mobile (manufactured) homes?
A: No. They don’t have plates.
9: We don’t have to remove plates from junked vehicles, correct?
A: Correct.
10: What about scrapped trailers?
A: Scrap are not titled. They are junked.
11: Do plates have to be removed on HFR vehicles purchased prior to October 1st, 2024?
A: If you’ve already done the VTAP and that has not been filed, they will be fine. If you have not completed the VTAP you will have to remove the plates.
12: Do we need to keep a copy of the HFR on file?
A: No. It is recorded in the system.
13: We do a lot of purchases from auctions. Do we mark vehicles HFR the moment we purchase the vehicle, or can we pick it up first?
A: Immediately.
14: Should we remove all plates on all used vehicles currently on our lot?
A: Yes, if they’re HFR.
15: Do OOS plates have to be removed from vehicles from other states?
A: They should be. There is no reason to keep OOS plates on cars at Minnesota dealers.
16: Are we required to keep any documentation of HFR vehicles?
A: Just your dealer file that includes where it was purchased.
17: Are we required to print or keep the submission receipt when the transaction is completed with DVS?
A: No, because we can see it in the system.
18: Do we need to keep a screenshot?
A: No.
19: When we get a vehicle with an MCO, they are invoiced to us, so we should be doing HFR for these vehicles?
A: No. The HFR process is not done for new vehicles with a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO).
20: With HFR, we don't do a title application unless we have a clear title. Has that changed?
A: You would do a conditional for that case.
21: When we destroy Held for Resale (HFR) plates before a customer purchases a “new” (to the customer, not an MCO) or a salvage-branded vehicle, and the tabs are not expired, will the new plates need new tabs?
A: Yes, all new plates need new tabs, but registration will not need to be repurchased.
22: Should vehicles be marked HFR when they get removed from a fleet and are waiting to be sold?
A: Yes.
23: When our dealership processes lease buyouts for customers, we don’t mark the vehicle as HFR, correct?
A: Correct. Have the deputy registrar (DR) use their system option to do these.
24: Is doing a lease buyout transfer of standard plates to the lessee still allowed?
A: If you are facilitating a lease buyout, don’t mark the vehicle as HFR and don’t do a VTAP. Bring the paperwork to a DR and tell them it’s a lease buyout, not a dealer sale.
25: Should we still instruct new owners who are transferring plates not to put them on the car until they get the dealer’s registration card showing the title has been transferred?
A: Yes.
26: Even though we have to apply for new plates every time, does the registration still stay with the vehicle? Registration does not end with HFR?
A: Correct. The registration stays with the vehicle and only the plates get removed.
27: If the registration is current, do we just charge for plates?
A: Correct.
28: Do customers have to pay the $15.50 fee for new plates on all sales?
A: Yes. $15.50 for doubles or $13.50 for a single.
29: When we put a vehicle into HFR, do we still have to transfer title to our dealership?
A: Only OOS salvage titles must be titled in a dealer's name.
30: If we receive a vehicle without plates do we still answer Yes to Being Removed?
A: You won't have a choice anymore because that answer is no longer an editable field.
31: Is there a right or wrong description to use when we're searching for a vehicle to mark it HFR? I use "To mark as held for resale" in that description box.
A: That is fine.
31: When a vehicle is sold on consignment, do the plates need to be removed and then replaced when the vehicle is sold?
A: Only if you are doing a VTAP and/or marking the vehicle as HFR.
33: If the tabs are good until September 2025 when the plates are removed and the car is sold, a plate-only is required, correct?
A: Correct.
34: If we buy and sell a vehicle on the same day, are we required to do HFR for it?
A: Technically no because it was bought and sold within the 48-hour time requirement. What you don't want to do is mark it HFR after selling it, because that causes problems for your buyer.
35: If we are not sure that it’s a salvage vehicle, do we enter Yes in the system?
A: If you’re not sure, you are allowed to answer No. This new salvage question is just for data collection purposes.
36: Do we consider prior salvage as a salvaged vehicle when answering the yes or no salvage question?
A: No. That question is for salvage vehicles only.
37: If the title says prior salvage we should put Yes, correct?
A: No. It will not need an inspection, which is what the question was designed for.
Annual contribution fees
1: Why were 21-day permits switched to 60 days?
A: To match the standard temporary permit and to give you and your customer more time.
2: What is the maximum amount a dealer that is doing EVTR can charge for Blackout plates?
A: The DVS stated amount.
3: Can we charge more than the DVS contribution fee?
A: No! Never!
Legislative updates
Removing plates – Oct 1 [Reference: Dealer Update Sept 18, 2024]
1: Is the 48 hours from the time of purchase or the time of possession?
A: The Minnesota statute says 48 hours from the time the vehicle is acquired, which is the time of purchase.
2: 48 hours means 48 business hours?
A: Yes.
3: We don't always get an OOS title from an auction within 48 hours. What should we do in these cases?
A: This 48-hour requirement is only for Minnesota titled vehicles, not OOS titles.
4: If a vehicle auction marks the vehicle Held for Resale in order to get a duplicate title, will the buyer have to get another/new set of plates?
A: Yes, for any HFR vehicles and/or any VTAP.
5: For EVTR errors with expiration dates and registration tax, should we pause the vehicle transfer for vehicles titled in Minnesota in EVTR or use VTAP until there’s a resolution?
A: Discard the transaction and use VTAP.
6: Should we order more dealer plates for test drives, etc.?
A: You should have an amount of demo plates to handle your busy customer traffic.
7: Since special plates can be transferred to new purchases, does this mean new vehicles with an MCO, or any vehicle?
A: Any vehicle that is new to the buyer, not just a newly manufactured vehicle with an MCO.
8: Will the new buyer be getting the same plate/plicker number, or will they get a new plate/plicker number? And what about the costs?
A: The new owner will get new stickers and the sticker fee for plickers is $1.50
9: Is it required that we destroy plates if our DR takes our removed plates?
A: DRs can be given plates if they make the plates unusable and then destroy or recycle them. The DR must be willing to do this.
10: If we have a company do it for us, can they deface plates for us?
A: Yes.
Dealers may only apply for plates if they apply for a title and reg
1: Can dealers still have title-only vehicles?
A: Yes.
2: Do vehicles that we use for service loaners have to be titled?
A: Yes, daily rentals should be titled in the dealer’s name.
3: If we put a vehicle in our name to use as a loaner and then sell it, are we required to get new plates when sold?
A: Yes. New plates are required on any dealer sale.
4: Do dealers have to pay sales tax to put a vehicle in their name and get plates?
A: Yes. Unless it is a daily rental or business use, in which case sales tax is paid directly to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
5: If registration is due when we title a vehicle as the dealer, can we recoup those registration fees when we sell the vehicle?
A: Yes, you can pass that cost on to the buyer.
Late transfer fee changed from 10 business days to 20 calendar days from purchase date
1: An HFR purchase from a dealership out of state only requires a title application, correct?
A: Correct.
Special plate transfers
1: Do recreational vehicles (RVs) have the same plate choices available to them that passenger vehicles have?
A: Special plate availability varies by vehicle class. Check the Special Plates Brochure for information on plate choices.
2: Is a Special Plate Application only needed if the plate is changing?
A: Plate applications are required for all plate transfers, for the initial issuance of personalized plates, and for any plate with a qualifying owner (i.e. Disability, Veteran, Firefighter, etc.)
3: If someone wants personalized plates, are we allowed to look up the personalized message to see if it’s available?
A: VTAP will tell if it’s available or not. Alternatively, public e-Services has a new tool called Check Personalized Plate Availability listed under More Vehicle Services.
4: Does the state send a letter to the owner of a personalized plate message first, or allow someone else to use it?
A: DVS does not send a letter. VTAP will tell if it’s available or not.
5: Does a plate transfer form need to be completed?
A: Yes.
6: Would the new owner pay $100 for the personalized plate fee if they use a previous owner’s plate?
A: No, just the $5 transfer fee. A signed note from the previous owner authorizing transfer of ownership of the plate message is also required.
7: Will the vehicle get a new expiration date when valid plates are removed?
A: No. The expiration dates don’t change. The registration stays with the plates after they’re removed from the vehicle.
8: Do the new plates sent to the customer come with the old plate registration date stickers?
A: No. The customer gets new stickers, same registration expiration. In other words, the customer doesn't buy registration again.
Dealer tools & tips
Stickers placed on titles
1: We have an auction company that sends us stickers with an address label in the seller line. Is that acceptable or not? I've been told yes and no for titles with an address label.
A: That is acceptable.
2: Is the seller line allowed to have an address label on it instead of being written or stamped?
A: Yes. That section isn't required if the title is accompanied by a signed title application.
3: Can the stickers be removed?
A: Usually not. They tend to rip off the inked information underneath when removed.
Dealer resources
Q: Is there a resource for estimating registration tax for other classes of vehicles, such as commercial, farm, etc.?
A: Yes, on the DVS public website. The Miscellaneous Class Tax Manual.
Miscellaneous
Q: What is EVTR?
A: Electronic Vehicle Title Registration.
Data and Reference
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For assistance with dealer licensing and/or inspections: dvs.dealerquestion@state.mn.us
For assistance with "submitted title" questions :mvdealerliaison@state.mn.us
For procedural questions related to titling and registration: DVS.motor.vehicles@state.mn.us
For assistance with eServices for Business access contact: DVS.DataServices@state.mn.us
For providing training suggestions and feedback: DVS.Training@state.mn.us
Update GovDelivery distribution lists: dvs.communications@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Driver and Vehicle Services
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 190
St. Paul, MN 55101
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