Missouri License Plate: Everything You Need To Know
The Missouri license plate is a small piece of metal strapped to the rear (and sometimes front) bumper of your vehicle. It may be small, but it is significant nonetheless as it bears your vehicle’s registration information and is an indication that you are legally allowed to drive your car on the road. However, there is much more to a Missouri license plate than meets the eye. In this article, we will delve into the different types of Missouri license plates, the process of renewing a Missouri license plate, the fees that come along with owning a Missouri license plate, and much more.
Types of Missouri License Plates
There are various types of license plates available in Missouri. Some of these include:
Standard License Plates: These are the typical license plates issued in Missouri. The plates come in a combination of letters and numbers assigned by the Department of Motor Vehicles, which is unique to the owner of the vehicle. To obtain a standard license plate, you must present proof of vehicle ownership and proof of insurance coverage to the DMV.
Personalized License Plates: These license plates allow vehicle owners to choose a combination of letters and numbers to form a unique tag. A personalized license plate can either be purchased online or at a DMV location. The fee for a personalized license plate is higher than that of a standard license plate.
Specialty License Plates: There are several types of specialty license plates available in Missouri. These include collegiate, organizational, and military plates, among others. The specialty license plates are customized to represent the specific organization or group they are associated with.
Vanity Plates: Vanity plates serve the same purpose as personalized plates, but they are specifically designed to express a particular message or interest. For instance, a vanity plate could read “GOLF4ME” to indicate that the driver is passionate about the sport of golf. Vanity plates come at a higher price than personalized plates.
Historic License Plates: These plates are available to vehicle owners whose car is over 25 years old and meets specific criteria. To apply for a historic license plate, the vehicle owner must submit photos of the car, proof of ownership, and an application fee. Vehicles with historic license plates are, however, restricted to driving to and from car shows and other events only.
Disability License Plates: These license plates are issued to individuals with disabilities and allow them to park in handicap parking spaces.
Real ID License Plates: Real ID license plates are required by the federal government as part of the Real ID Act. The act mandates that all driver’s licenses be held to a national standard, including license plates.
License Plate Lookup
Missouri license plate lookup is a process that allows individuals to check the registration status of a vehicle. It is especially useful when purchasing a used car to ensure that the vehicle is not stolen, has not been in an accident, and has a clean title. To perform a license plate lookup, the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the license plate number need to be entered into the appropriate website or service.
Renewing a Missouri License Plate
Vehicle owners in Missouri are required to renew their license plates every year. The process of renewing a Missouri license plate is simple and can be completed online or at a DMV location. To renew a Missouri license plate, the vehicle owner must present proof of insurance and pay the required fee. License plate renewal stickers are sent via mail once the registration is renewed.
License Plate Fees
The fees associated with owning a Missouri license plate depend on several factors. The type of license plate, vehicle weight, and length of registration are the principal determinants of the fees. For instance, the fee for a standard license plate varies depending on the make, model, and age of the vehicle. A new car is charged a higher fee than an older car. A Personalized License Plate fee costs $15.
Specialty license plates come at different fees, depending on the type. For instance, military license plates are issued for free, while collegiate plates come at $35. Vanity plates come at a higher cost than personalized plates, and historic license plates come with an application fee of $25.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Missouri license plate is much more than a mere piece of metal strapped to your vehicle. It communicates valuable information about your car’s registration, ownership, and other critical details. The different types of license plates, from standard to specialty plates, cater to various individuals’ preferences and interests. Renewing your Missouri license plate is essential to keep your car legally registered and on the road. The fees associated with owning a Missouri license plate are reasonable and differ depending on several factors. Ultimately, owning a Missouri license plate is a responsibility that comes with several benefits and privileges.
Like other states, the state of Missouri requires drivers to register their motor vehicles with the Missouri Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Licensing. Every motor vehicle in Missouri must be registered properly and given the correct Missouri license plates. You can receive Missouri license plates at an driver’s license exam station. The renewal of your Missouri license plates is also tied to the process of registration.
When you buy a vehicle, you can transfer Missouri license plates to it from a different vehicle that you already own or you can get new Missouri license plates. If you transfer license plates, you cannot transfer them between different same types of motor vehicles. They must be the same, for example, from truck to truck.
Specialty Missouri License Plates
Missouri offers a variety of Missouri license plate designs. Many of them can also be personalized with the license number of your choice. With over 200 different specialty Missouri License plates, you can show support for different organizations, sports teams, or affiliations such as military service or universities. License plates that have logos or organizational names often come with additional fees that go toward the organization that is sponsoring the plate.
Applying for Personalized or Specialty Missouri License Plates
To receive personalized or specialty Missouri license plates, you must submit a completed application for the particular license plate as follows:
• Form 1716, Application for Missouri Personalized and Special License Plates
• Form 4601, Application for Missouri Military Personalized License Plates
• Form DOR-570, Application for Missouri Historic or Personalized Historic License Plates
You must submit the application as well as a fee ($15 specialty/personalized/military, or $43.75 for personalized historic) to the Missouri Department of Revenue. This application process is in addition to the regular fees and documents that are required when registering your vehicle.
