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Committee adopts amendment to standardize no‑fee replacement for defective truck plates
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Summary
The committee adopted A3 to clarify that defective IRP and trailer plates are eligible for no‑fee replacement and to reimburse deputy registrars, following testimony from trucking industry representatives about premature plate failures and operational costs.
The Senate Transportation Committee adopted the A3 amendment to Senate File 3988 to streamline replacement of defective International Registration Plan (IRP) and trailer license plates for trucking fleets.
John House Lawton, representing the Minnesota Trucking Association, described premature plate failures—corrosion and film delamination—causing tractor and trailer plates to become illegible or fall off, grounding vehicles while replacements are obtained. He estimated direct replacement fees of about $30 plus roughly $95 in indirect labor and administrative costs, totaling about $125 per affected plate.
"Tractors and trailers are taken out of service until new plates are affixed...the associated fees to replace a plate are roughly $30...that's really a $125 of real cost and frustration experienced by the fleet," House Lawton said in committee testimony.
Peng Zhang, director of the Driver and Vehicle Services Division, confirmed that defective plates can be replaced at no cost when handled through DVS and that DVS has been working with industry stakeholders to create consistent treatment across deputy registrars. A3 clarifies statutory language to ensure deputy registrars are reimbursed through the no‑fee transaction fund when they process no‑cost replacements for defective plates.
The committee adopted A3 by voice vote and discussed implementation details with agency staff; members said the amendment will reduce inconsistency across deputy registrar offices and limit downtime for commercial fleets.
