Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz shows reporters an example of the newly available “blackout” license plates after applying for one himself Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2023, at the Driver and Vehicle Services office in White Bear Lake City Hall. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division has announced nine new special license plates in 2024, the most ever released in one year. A number of charitable foundations will benefit from the new plates, which include professional sports teams, two nonprofits and Minnesota’s version of a blackout plate. (Alex Derosier / Pioneer Press)

State officials say Minnesota’s new “blackout” license plates are already proving popular just weeks after they became available.

Minnesota started issuing new specialty license plates to residents at the beginning of the year, including the blackouts — a black plate with white lettering — as well as plates for six of the state’s professional teams, and two other causes.

Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday stopped by the Driver and Vehicle Services license office in White Bear Lake to apply for blackout plates of his own, which will read “ONE MN” — a shortened version of “One Minnesota,” the name for the Walz administration’s policy vision for the state.

Walz told reporters he thought the main allure of blackout plates is that they harken back to an earlier era when license plates were simpler. Blackout plates, he said, are popular among collectors of classic cars.

“I think it’s a nostalgic thing,” the governor said after filing his paperwork.

3,800 ‘blackout’ plates issued

Minnesota has already issued 3,800 of the blackout plates since they became available on Jan. 1, according to Pong Xiong, director of Driver and Vehicle Services.

Undated courtesy photo, circa January 2024, of Minnesota’s new blackout vehicle license plate. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division has announced nine new special license plates in 2024, the most ever released in one year. A number of charitable foundations will benefit from the new plates, which include professional sports teams, two nonprofits and Minnesota’s version of a blackout plate. (Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety)

Xiong said that’s an impressive level, especially when compared to the more than 77,000 critical habitat loon plates issued in 2023. Those historically have been the most popular specialty plate, he said.

After a $15.50 initial fee, the blackout plates require an annual contribution of $30 to the state Vehicle Services Operating Account. Xiong said drivers can contribute more if they choose.

Blackouts aren’t the only new plates available this year.

Lynx, Timberwolves, Twins and more

Minnesotans can now order license plates representing one of six professional sports teams in the state: Lynx, Timberwolves, Twins, United, Vikings and Wild. Those plates also have an initial fee of $15.50, and require a minimum annual contribution of $30.

Two other causes also got custom plates this year.

A Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, or MMIR plate, will require a $25 minimum annual fee that will go to a state fund dedicated to the issue. Lions Club plates require a $25 initial contribution and $5 in each subsequent year.

State officials are still waiting on a final design for the plate representing Minnesota United, the state’s Major League Soccer team. DVS officials said they expect a final design for the MMIR plate later on Tuesday.

The new plates join others including the popular critical habitat plates that raise funds for conservation efforts and others such as those for members of the Minnesota National Guard and firefighters.

For now, it’s not clear how much money the new license plates will raise, Xiong said. But in Iowa, nearly half a million have been issued since that state started offering them in 2019, generating about $30 million by 2023, according to KCCI-TV in Des Moines.

Last year when Minnesota lawmakers were considering issuing blackout plates as well, Walz in a post on X, then known as Twitter, said it was one thing “Iowa got right.”

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