DVS: 150K Minnesotans overcharged, tech surcharge refunds to be issued

Around 150,000 Minnesotans will soon get a check in their mailbox from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS).

DVS said Friday that the check will be a refund for those who were charged a registration technology surcharge twice when they transferred their title and renewed vehicle registration at the same time. The refund will be $2.25.

"It's important that we return the fee to anyone who paid more than they should have," Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Director Emma Corrie said. "We are also taking steps to make sure no one else is overcharged in the future. We will also be tracking these types of transactions so that we can correct the situation as quickly as possible."

DVS said the title technology and registration technology surcharge fees are set in state law, and DVS collected both fees when customers transferred a title and renewed registration in one transaction. But, after reviewing the statutes, DVS determined only the title technology surcharge should be collected when both are done at the same time.

The refunds started being issued on Wednesday, and DVS said the last refunds should be sent out in approximately six weeks. DVS added that the vehicle services system has since been updated so more Minnesotans aren't overcharged, but the department will continue to monitor the issue and refund anyone who is overcharged in the future.