State guide
Minnesota
Minnesota publishes a DVS inspection program for salvage, reconstructed, and specially assembled vehicles, with statewide appointment-only inspection locations. The state statutes and DVS forms found show clear inspection requirements for salvage-branded late-model or high-value vehicles and for reconstructed or specially assembled vehicles, but I did not find an official page requiring a general out-of-state VIN verification for ordinary title transfers.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- When a VIN verification is required
- Minnesota requires inspection for late-model or high-value salvage-branded vehicles before a prior salvage title is issued, for reconstructed and specially assembled vehicles, and when a vehicle has no VIN and DVS must assign one; I did not find an official page requiring general VIN verification solely for an ordinary out-of-state title transfer.
- Who can do it
- The official Minnesota pages found identify Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services / the DVS Inspection Unit as the inspection program; the specific official pages found did not name dealers, notaries, or private verifiers as authorized inspectors.
- Official form
- Declaration of Reconstruction / Special Assembly (PS2015); Application to Title and Register a Motor Vehicle (PS2000); No VIN Attestation
- Fee
- $35 salvage inspection; other VIN-assignment or reconstruction inspection fee not clearly published on the pages found.
- Official instructions
- Official page →
Official resources in Minnesota
Official DVS packet explaining reconstructed and specially assembled vehicle inspections and listing inspection locations and scheduling information.
Official statute requiring inspection before a prior salvage title is issued for a late-model or high-value salvage vehicle and setting the $35 fee.
Official DVS title application that includes a salvage inspection fee line and basic title-transfer instructions.
Key facts for Minnesota
- Minnesota statutes require inspection before issuing a prior salvage title for a late-model or high-value vehicle with a salvage-branded title.
- Minnesota statutes set the salvage inspection fee at $35.
- The DVS reconstruction guide says reconstructed and specially assembled vehicles are subject to a motor vehicle inspection.
- The DVS guide says inspections are by appointment only and can be scheduled online at drive.mn.gov.
- The DVS guide publishes an Inspection Unit scheduling number: 651-282-2173.
- The No VIN Attestation says a vehicle without a VIN may not be driven until a VIN has been assigned and inspection completed by Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services.
Official VIN inspection locations in Minnesota
| Location | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| DVS Inspection Unit - Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Center | Not published* | Appointment-only inspection location published in the DVS inspection schedule. |
| DVS Inspection Unit - Austin | Austin | Not published* | Appointment-only inspection location published in the DVS inspection schedule. |
| DVS Inspection Unit - Bemidji | Bemidji | Not published* | Appointment-only inspection location published in the DVS inspection schedule. |
| DVS Inspection Unit - Faribault | Faribault | Not published* | Appointment-only inspection location published in the DVS inspection schedule. |
| DVS Inspection Unit - Fergus Falls | Fergus Falls | Not published* | Appointment-only inspection location published in the DVS inspection schedule. |
| DVS Inspection Unit - Long Prairie | Long Prairie | Not published* | Appointment-only inspection location published in the DVS inspection schedule. |
| DVS Inspection Unit - Mankato | Mankato | Not published* | Appointment-only inspection location published in the DVS inspection schedule. |
| DVS Inspection Unit - Saint Cloud | Saint Cloud | Not published* | Appointment-only inspection location published in the DVS inspection schedule. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- If your vehicle is reconstructed or specially assembled, complete the title application and PS2015 declaration before scheduling the DVS inspection.
- If your title is salvage-branded and the vehicle is late-model or high-value, confirm the inspection requirement and pay the $35 fee before expecting a prior salvage title.
- Use the published statewide DVS inspection schedule and book an appointment before bringing the vehicle and supporting documents.
Not seeing your location or county?
Not every location publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Minnesota's population center, for comparison only):
- Eau Claire Post, Wisconsin · about 107 miles
- Medford Police Department, Wisconsin · about 151 miles
- Tomah Post, Wisconsin · about 175 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Minnesota Statutes section 168A.152
Website →Phone: (651) 296-8338 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Minnesota page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.