Frequently Asked Questions - Motor Vehicle Licensing
- Can I renew my vehicle registration (license plates) online?
- How do I renew my Missouri vehicle registration (license plates) if I am temporarily out of state?
- How do I apply for a duplicate title?
- How can I receive a sales tax allowance when I sell one vehicle and buy a different vehicle to replace the one I sold?
- How can I receive a sales tax allowance when my vehicle was declared a total loss by the insurance company and I buy a replacement vehicle?
- How much does vehicle registration (license plates) cost in Missouri?
- How much does trailer registration (license plates) cost in Missouri?
- How much sales tax do I pay when I buy a vehicle?
- How do I title and license my motor vehicle if I am moving to Missouri?
- How do I change my motor vehicle and/or marinecraft records to show my new Missouri address?
- Can I pay my sales tax and fees with a check or credit card?
- How do I apply for a disabled person placard?
- Is equipment purchased to modify a vehicle, so that it can be used by an individual with disabilities, exempt from sales tax?
- How do I apply for a disabled license plates?
- Am I required to submit a new physician's statement when renewing a disabled person placard or plate?
- What should I do to renew my vehicle registration (license plates) if I did not receive a vehicle registration (license plate) renewal notice in the mail?
- What are the licensing requirements for motor scooters or mopeds (under 50cc)?
- Can I apply for a refund of my unused registration?
Can I renew my vehicle registration (license plates) online?
You can renew your vehicle registration (license plates) online with the Missouri Online Registration Exchange (MORE), if a Personal Identification Number (PIN) is recorded on your renewal notice. Renew your vehicle registration (license plates) online, visit www.plates.mo.gov.
How do I renew my Missouri vehicle registration (license plates) if I am temporarily out of state?
Contact the Motor Vehicle Bureau at mvbmail@dor.mo.gov or (573) 751-4509 with your current out-of-state address and we will mail you a renewal packet that includes all instructions and necessary forms to renew your vehicle registration (license plates) from your current location.
How do I apply for a duplicate title?
Complete and sign an Application for Missouri Title and License (DOR-108), pay an $8.50 duplicate title fee and a $2.50 processing fee.
If you would like the Motor Vehicle Bureau to send you an application and instructions, please send your name and mailing address to forms@dor.mo.gov.
NOTES: If a duplicate title is needed because the original title was mutilated, the mutilated title must be surrendered with the Application for Missouri Title and License.
If a lien is shown on the original title, you must submit a notarized lien release with your duplicate title application or the duplicate title will include the lienholder information. All titles will be mailed to the owner.
How can I receive a sales tax allowance when I sell one vehicle and buy a different vehicle to replace the one I sold?
When you apply for a title, you must submit a bill of sale or Notice of Sale (DOR-5049)
for the vehicle that you sold and the purchase (or contract to purchase) and sale dates must be within 180 days of one another. You do not have to purchase a "like" vehicle to qualify for a sales tax allowance.
Example: You can buy a car and sell a boat and receive a sales tax allowance for the car, but the two events must occur within 180 days of one another.
How can I receive a sales tax allowance when my vehicle was declared a total loss by the insurance company and I buy a replacement vehicle?
You must submit a total loss statement from your insurance company and all supporting documentation when you apply for title on your replacement vehicle that was purchased (or contracted to purchase) within 180 days of the date of the loss of your prior vehicle.
NOTE: If you have already paid sales tax on your replacement vehicle you may apply for a refund by sending a completed Motor Vehicle Refund Request Application (DOR-426) with all supporting documentation to the Customer Services Division, P. O. Box 3350, Jefferson City, MO 65105-3350.
How much does vehicle registration (license plates) cost in Missouri?
Passenger registration fees are based on the taxable horsepower (which is different from actual engine horsepower) of your vehicle.
Truck license plates are based on the gross weight of the vehicle plus the maximum load to be carried or pulled at any one time and distance. Local license plates are issued to trucks that will not be driven beyond a 50-mile radius of the owner's registered address. Beyond local license plates are issued in all other cases. Annual passenger and truck registration fees and processing fees are listed below.
Passenger Vehicles
| Taxable Horsepower | 1-Year Fee | 1-Year Processing Fee |
2-Year Fee | 2-Year Processing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNDER 12 HP | $18.25 | $3.50 | $36.50 | $7.00 |
| 12 - 23 HP | $21.25 | $3.50 | $42.50 | $7.00 |
| 24 - 35 HP | $24.25 | $3.50 | $48.50 | $7.00 |
| 36-47 HP | $33.25 | $3.50 | $66.50 | $7.00 |
| 48 - 59 HP | $39.25 | $3.50 | $78.50 | $7.00 |
| 60 - 71 HP | $45.25 | $3.50 | $90.50 | $7.00 |
| 72 HP + | $51.25 | $3.50 | $102.50 | $7.00 |
Trucks
| Gross Weight Plus Load | 1-Year Fee | 1-Year Processing Fee |
2-Year Fee | 2-Year Processing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local 6,000 lbs. | $15.75 | $3.50 | $31.50 | $7.00 |
| Local 12,000 lbs. | $18.25 | $3.50 | $36.50 | $7.00 |
| Beyond Local 6,000 lbs. | $25.75 | $3.50 | $51.50 | $7.00 |
| Beyond Local 12,000 lbs. | $38.25 | $3.50 | $76.50 | $7.00 |
How much does trailer registration (license plates) cost in Missouri?
| Type of Trailer License | 1-Year Fee | 1-Year Processing Fee |
3-Year Fee | 3-Year Processing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | $7.50 | $3.50 | 22.50 | $3.50 |
| Permanent* | $52.50 | $3.50 | - | - |
*Note: A permanent trailer license can only be issued to trailers that are attached to a towing vehicle by a fifth wheel and kingpin assembly. Trailers coupled to towing vehicles with a ball or bumper type hitch cannot be issued permanent trailer license plates.
How much sales tax do I pay when I buy a vehicle?
You must pay the state sales tax AND any local taxes of the city or county where you live (not where you purchased the vehicle).The state sales tax rate is 4.225 percent and is based on the net purchase price of your vehicle (price after rebates and trade-ins). Use the sales tax calculator to estimate the amount of sales tax you will pay when you title and register your new vehicle.
If you bought your vehicle out-of-state and paid sales taxes on the vehicle to that state, that tax will be credited toward the amount of tax due in Missouri. You must provide proof of the amount of tax you paid in the other state. If the amount of tax paid in the other state is less than the amount owed in Missouri, you will be charged the difference. If the vehicle was titled in your name in another state for more than 90 days, no Missouri sales tax will be charged.
How do I title and license my motor vehicle if I am moving to Missouri?
Within 30 days of establishing residency in Missouri you must complete an Application for Missouri Title and License (DOR-108) for each vehicle you own and submit it along with a current insurance identification card, original vehicle inspection (if applicable), original emission inspection (if applicable), an original or certified copy of the personal property tax receipt in the owner's name for the previous year or a statement of non-assessment from the county (or City of St. Louis) Collector's office, an identification and odometer inspection, and all applicable fees.
If you would like the Motor Vehicle Bureau to send you a packet of instructions and all necessary forms needed to title and license your vehicle(s) please send your name and mailing address to mvbmail@dor.mo.gov or call (573) 751-4509.
How do I change my motor vehicle and/or marinecraft records to show my new Missouri address?
Provide the Motor Vehicle Bureau with your:
- Name;
- Old address;
- New Missouri address (including County name);
- License plate number(s) for each motor vehicle you currently have registered in Missouri; and/or
- Identification number(s) for each boat and/or motor that are currently registered in Missouri.
You may call (573) 751-4509, e-mail mvbmail@dor.mo.gov, or write to the Motor Vehicle Bureau, P. O. Box 100, Jefferson City, MO 65105. You may also complete a Change of Address Notice (DOR-4160) and mail it in.
Can I pay my sales tax and fees with a check or credit card?
You may use cash or money order to pay your sales tax and fees at Department of Revenue contract offices. Personal checks, debit cards and Discover cards are accepted at some contract offices. Please contact your local office for payment options.
The department's Central Office accepts cash, money order, personal check, debit card, and Discover card. Personal checks must be made payable to the Missouri Department of Revenue. Personal checks must be preprinted with the check writer's name, address, bank code, and account number. The personal check must also include the following information regarding the check writer:
- Driver's license or non-driver's license number;
- Date of birth; and
- Daytime phone number.
The Missouri Department of Revenue may electronically resubmit checks returned for insufficient or uncollected funds.
How do I apply for a Disabled Person Placard?
Submit an Application for Disabled Person Placard (DOR-2769), and Physician's Statement for Disabled License Plates/Placard (DOR-1776) from your licensed physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, advanced practice registered nurse, or optometrist stating that you qualify for a Disabled Person Placard either by mail to the Motor Vehicle Bureau, PO Box 100, Jefferson City, MO 65105, or in person at any Missouri Department of Revenue office. There is no fee required to obtain a Permanent Disabled Placard.
If you are temporarily disabled, your licensed physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, advanced practice registered nurse, or optometrist can indicate on the Physician's Statement for Disabled License Plates/Placard (DOR-1776) that you will need the Disabled Person Placard for a specific length of time not more than 180 days.
For more information about Placards, click here.
Is equipment purchased to modify a vehicle, so that it can be used by an individual with disabilities, exempt from sales tax?
Yes. The applicant must present an invoice or other documentation showing the vehicle and equipment price separately in order for the equipment to be exempt. Specifically, Section 144.030.2(18), RSMo. provides an exemption for “items used solely to modify motor vehicles to permit the use of such motor vehicles by individuals with disabilities".
How do I apply for disabled license plates?
Submit an Application for Missouri Personalized and Special License Plates (DOR-1716), a Physician's Statement for Disabled License Plates/Placard (DOR-1776) from your licensed physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, advanced practice registered nurse, or optometrist stating that you qualify for a Disabled Person Placard, and the proper registration and processing fees either by mail to the Motor Vehicle Bureau, P. O. Box 100, Jefferson City, MO 65105, or in person at any Missouri Department of Revenue office.
Am I required to submit a new physician's statement when renewing a disabled person placard or plate?
You must submit a new Physician's Statement for Disabled License Plates/Placard (DOR-1776) every four years when renewing a disabled person placard or plate. The statement must be dated within 90 days of your renewal application. Disabled veterans are not required to submit a new physician's statement when renewing a disabled person placard or plate.
What should I do to renew my vehicle registration (license plates) if I did not receive a renewal notice in the mail?
Please visit any local contract office to complete your renewal.
NOTE: Even if you do not receive a computer-generated renewal notice from the Motor Vehicle Bureau, you are still responsible for renewing your license plates before they expire. There is a $5 late penalty if you fail to renew by the last day of the month of expiration.
What are the licensing requirements for motor scooters or mopeds (under 50cc)?
Licensing for a scooter or moped depends on whether the vehicle meets the definition of a motorized bicycle. The Missouri statute definition of a motorized bicycle is as follows:
"Any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having an automatic transmission and a motor with a cylinder capacity of not more than fifty (50) cubic centimeters, which produces less than three (3) gross brake horsepower, and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground."
A motorized bicycle does not have to be registered with the Missouri Department of Revenue. However, you must have a valid driver license to operate a motorized bicycle (though no motorcycle endorsement is required).
Missouri statute does not require a helmet to be worn when operating a motorized bicycle. Please contact your local law enforcement agencies for any county/municipal codes that deal with helmets and motorized bicycles.
Keep in mind that no motorized bicycle may be operated on any public thoroughfare located within this state that has been designated as part of the federal interstate highway system.
Can I apply for a refund of my unused registration?
Missouri law does not allow for a refund of registration fees. However, an owner may apply the unused portion of a registration to a new Missouri registration.