Commercial vehicle permit

We explain the permit requirements for commercial vehicles.

Definition

A commercial vehicle is:

  • A truck or other vehicle
  • Used only for picking up or delivering merchandise

To qualify for a commercial vehicle permit, the vehicle cannot have any other use, such as:

  • Private transportation
  • Service work
  • Delivery of equipment used for service work
  • Use by a salesperson to:
    • Drop off displays or samples
    • Take orders
driver sitting in delivery vehicle

What to know

Before you begin

The information on this page should serve only as guidelines. 

Look at our information about: 

Requirements

See list of requirements

Application

Apply in person at Traffic & Parking Services

Fees

  • $400 a year (includes up to five permits)
  • $20 a year for each additional permit
  • $12 for a temporary 30-day permit
  • $11 for a replacement permit

The permit fee is for a 12-month period. Permits expire on their anniversary date.

Permits issued before the last five working days of a month:

  • Include that month.
  • Expire one year from the last day of the previous month.

Permits issued in the last five working days of a month:

  • Will be treated as if they were issued on the first day of the following month.
  • Will expire one year from the last day of the month in which they were issued.

Requirements

Insurance

Each commercial vehicle must work for a company that has either:

  • Current motor carrier insurance
  • Appropriate insurance as a private carrier

Permit display

The vehicle must have the commercial permit permanently affixed to the vehicle.

Details:

  • Stick a permit on both sides of your vehicle, between the front door and the wheel well, at the same height as the wheels.
  • Make sure the permit number matches the license plate number listed on your approved application.
  • Don’t attach the permit or decal in a way that makes it easy to take off. If you do, the City may suspend your permit.

Company display

The vehicle must properly display the name of the company for which it works.

Details:

  • If professionally produced, the sign can be a temporary, such as a magnetic sign.
  • This identification must appear on the front door of both sides of the vehicle.
  • The lettering must be 2 to 2 1/2 inches in height.

More

The company must:

Contact us

Parking Services

Address

33 Ninth St. N.
Room 100
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Office hours

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday

Minneapolis 311

Phone

311 or 612-673-3000

Relay service

612-673-3000

Hours

7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday – Friday

See list of City holidays