What is my "registration" in Minnesota (I know, probably the dumbest question ever)

[progree]

I've been driving in Minnesota for more than 30 years. I've been pulled over a few times, and I have NEVER been asked for my registration. Drivers license? Every time. Proof of insurance? Once. But registration? Never. Maybe because I'm white. I don't even know what that is.

I've assumed proof of registration was the license tabs on my license plates...

I've heard cops ask people for their registration in other states, but not here. Well, now I read that Philando Castile was asked for his registration in Falcon Heights.

So, please clue me in.

Now there is this thingy that the license tab stickers came on that says "Minnesota Registration/Cab Card" - "Please keep for your records as proof of vehicle registration." It doesn't say anything about keeping it in the car. The same thing says "Proof of insurance must be carried while the vehicle is operated on the roadways and presented to a peace officer on demand."

So why doesn't it tell me to also keep the "Minnesota Registration/Cab Card" in my car, like the insurance? Is it supposed to be obvious?

[Hoyt]

1. Exactly. No need. Police can check all that on computer. Harassment pure and simple.

[Brickbat]

2. No, it's your tabs. I'm sure cops don't ask for "license and registration," but people say it

when they're recounting a stop.

[dflprincess]

3. Other states ask for registration as well as proof of insurance and your license

You often hear it asked for on TV shows.

Years ago my friend and I were on a road trip and were pulled over in Nevada. The cop asked for her registration along with the other documents and look dumbfounded when she said she didn't have it because Minnesota doesn't require it.

He took the other documents, went back to his squad car, took what seemed longer than normal (we suspected he may have had someone check out our story about registration). When he got back to our car he handed my friend her license and insurance card back and said "If I ever decide to steal a car, I'm going to do it in Minnesota."

Apparently if my friend had been able to show him card the state sends for tab renewal, that would have been enough for the cop. Since then, I just keep mine in the glove compartment with the insurance card, just in case I ever take the car out of state. (of course I'll have to sift through several years of registration and insurance cards to find the latest ones. I keep meaning to clean out the glove compartment.)

[progree]

4. Thanks, and thanks much to everyone else in this thread. I thoughts so...

I was pretty sure I've heard cops ask for registration on TV in real situations (not just fictional TV shows). But I wasn't sure, maybe I saw that only in fictional TV shows. (I don't watch Cops much, and not for years).

I just asked a Minnesota friend who drives a lot in all our neighboring states and in some of their neighboring states too, what she gives them when they ask for registration, and she replies,

"License and ins card .... why do u ask o smart one? bsssszt"

Sigh.

I too keep lots of old insurance cards in the glove compartment. In case of an accident they are nice to hand out to other parties, after writing my phone numbers on them. That way they have my full insurance information too.