Put the Brakes on Tab Theft
Make your new license plate tabs more theft-proof. Put them in the middle!
The Missouri Department of Revenue (department) recommends that you place your license plate tabs in the MIDDLE of your license plates to help prevent tab theft.
Below is helpful tab placement information for renewed plates and new plates, as well as instructions to replace stolen tabs.
Several years ago, the department changed the placement of license plate year tabs, moving them from the lower right-hand corner to the center of the license plate (for regular license plates only, not personalized or specialty plates) as an effort to help reduce tab theft. The standard license plate also now features an indention in the middle of the plate to reduce the risk of tab theft.
The middle tab placement applies to all license plate types EXCEPT:
- Specialty plates (such as Children’s Trust Fund, civic group, or collegiate)
- Personalized plates
- Motorcycle plate
In early 2007 by internet vote, Missourians selected a new license plate design that will go much further in reducing tab theft and improving enforcement of the state’s motor vehicle laws. The new design, which features a blue bird (Missouri’s state bird) sitting on a Hawthorn branch (Missouri’s state flower), will improve the plate’s visibility to law enforcement and ensure collection of state and local sales taxes and local property taxes. The Missouri State Highway Patrol aided the advisory committee to help ensure that the new plate would be easy to read for law enforcement and would provide features to reduce tab theft.
State law requires that the department begin issuing new standard plates by January 1, 2009, but the department is working hard to start the plate reissuance in mid-2008. By 2010, state law requires license plate year tabs to be produced on-site in license offices and be unique to each license plate number. License plate year tabs will only be valid on the license plates that matches the number printed on the tabs.
Renewal License Plate Tabs
Customers who are renewing their plates will simply place the year tab in the middle, leaving the month tab where it is. (See diagram)
CAUTION: If you have current tabs on the corners of your license plates, DO NOT attempt to remove them in order to place them in the middle. THEY WILL DISINTEGRATE and you will have to pay a replacement fee to obtain new ones.
New License Plate Tabs
New license plates issued after October 1, 2002, will have both the month and year tabs in the middle. This will be done for you by the clerk when receiving your new plates. (See diagram)
Tabs Already Stolen?
If you are the victim of tab theft, you may receive up to TWO sets of replacement plates/tabs per year AT NO COST when your application is accompanied with a notarized affidavit verifying that such license plates/tabs were stolen. A $3.50 processing fee will apply.
Replacing License Plates and/or Tabs
To replace your license plates or tabs, or both:
- Complete, sign, and have notarized an Application for Replacement Plates/Tabs (FORM 1576) (available at any local license office, or request online). You must indicate on the form the reason for the replacement; and
- Pay $3.50 processing fee.