About Missouri License Plates
- About the Missouri License Plate
- Year Tabs
- Personalized and Special License Plates
- Temporary Third License Plate (for motor vehicle with an obscured rear license plate)
Additional Plates Available:
- Conservation Heritage License Plate Information
- Free License Plates for Qualified Disabled Veterans
- Free License Plates for Qualified Former Prisoners of War
- Homeland Security Fight Terrorism License Plate Information
- Historic License Plate Information
About the Missouri License Plate
Missouri license plates are made of aluminum and are manufactured by the Missouri Department of Corrections at the Jefferson City Correctional Center. Standard license plates are embossed (raised lettering), while personalized license plates are made by a computer graphics process that produces a flat license plate. This process allows the Department to produce very detailed specialty license plates (which may or may not be personalized) that commemorate a particular organization, activity, or charity. You may view the various specialty license plates by clicking here.
Year Tabs
Most Missouri license plates require an expiration year tab, which is color-coded and includes the expiration year of the registration. The tabs are issued when a new or renewal registration transaction is processed.
Click here for information on how to replace stolen license plates or tabs.
Temporary Third License Plate (for motor vehicle with an obscured rear license plate)
If a rear Missouri license plate is obstructed from view by a bicycle rack, luggage rack, or other similar device, the vehicle owner has the option to obtain a Temporary Third License Plate. This "third license plate" is printed on 8½" x 11" non-secure white paper and will contain the same license plate configuration and expiration date as the permanent license plate assigned to the motor vehicle. It is to be placed in the interior of the vehicle’s rear window such that the driver’s view out of the rear vehicle is not obstructed and the plate configuration is clearly visible from the outside of the vehicle.In order to obtain a Temporary Third License Plate, the vehicle owner must submit the following items to our central office:
- A completed Temporary Third License Plate Application (Form 5429); and
- The $11.00 Temporary Third License Plate fee (includes the $5.00 license fee and $6.00 processing fee).
Applicants should mail the completed form and fee to the address listed on the application form.
If you have questions about how to apply for Missouri license plates, Ask Motor Vehicle!