Expired tabs alone usually get you a ticket, not an instant tow. But a vehicle with no valid registration that sits on a public street is exactly the kind of vehicle Minnesota’s abandoned-vehicle law lets a city tag and eventually impound. The fix is the same either way: get current with Minnesota DVS before it becomes a bigger problem.
The ticket comes first
Driving or parking with expired registration is a citation in Minnesota. An officer can tag the vehicle, and that tag starts a clock in some situations. On its own, a current fine is cheaper and simpler than an impound, so renew as soon as you notice the tabs lapsed.
When expired tabs turn into a tow
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 168B lets a city take custody of a vehicle that has no valid registration and is left on public property, once the statutory conditions and posting periods are met. A car properly tagged on a highway can be impounded after four hours; a car parked on a street without valid registration can become an unauthorized or abandoned vehicle under the chapter. The point is that a lapsed registration plus a car sitting in public is a combination the law is written to clear.
The 2010 change worth knowing
Minnesota used to require a four-hour wait after a parking citation before a public tow. That rule was repealed in 2010, so do not count on an automatic four-hour grace period after a ticket on public property. The four-hour timelines that remain apply to tagged highway vehicles and posted public lots, which is a different situation.
How to get current
Renew your registration through Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS). You can usually renew online, by mail, or in person, and you will need your plate or vehicle information and any required proof of insurance. Because requirements and fees change, follow the current DVS instructions. Once the tabs are current, the tow risk from expired registration goes away.
If it already got towed
Find out who towed it. If a city did, check that city’s impound (in Minneapolis, search by plate at minneapolismn.gov or call the lot at (612) 673-5777). Storage adds up daily, so renew, gather your ID and proof of ownership, and claim the car quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Will I get towed the moment my tabs expire? Not usually. Expect a ticket first. The tow risk grows when a car with no valid registration sits on a public street and the city’s abandoned-vehicle process kicks in.
Does Minnesota still give four hours after a parking ticket before towing? No. That rule was repealed in 2010. Do not rely on it.
How do I renew registration in Minnesota? Through Minnesota DVS, online, by mail, or in person. Use the current DVS instructions for forms and fees.
Can I get the car back if it was towed for expired tabs? Yes, by paying the tow and storage and showing ID and proof of ownership. Renew the registration too so it does not happen again.