The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Missouri license plate that complied with these standards. All plates validated for 1949 with orange tabs, for 1950 with green tabs, for 1951 with white tabs, and for 1952 with black tabs. Plates expiring between January and August were validated for 1953 with maroon tabs. ^ 'About Missouri License Plates'. Missouri Department of Revenue. Retrieved September 2, 2019. ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). 'Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size'. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. ^ a b c Tanner, Eric N. 'Missouri Passenger License Plates'. Tips on using Missouri license plates. The plates for passenger vehicles have month coding. The first letter in the plate number corresponds to the month of expiration: A and B are for January, C is for February and so on. The plates must have a year tab (displaying the year of license expiration), which is coded by color. 1977/Nov Missouri license plate - YP9-126 1977 Bicentennial base (Pair, 1977 base, Bicentennial, Unknown, Early Days, Anniversary) license plate. Such registration and license plates shall be made and issued only upon the payment of an annual fee equivalent to that regularly charged for personalized license plates in addition to the one-time permanent registration fee authorized by section 301.131. Such license plates may have a tab or other identifying characteristics to readily show.

SUMMARY: Missouri License Plates

You can apply for MO license plates by registering your vehicle in person at a licensing office or through your vehicle dealer. You'll renew your tags by renewing your registration online, by mail, or in person. You can transfer Missouri plates when you get a new vehicle. You must replace license plates or tabs if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.

Read below for more information about license plates and tags in Missouri.

Looking for personalized or vanity plates? Find complete details on our Missouri Specialty Plates and Specialty Plate Applications pages.

Applying for disabled parking access? Our Disabled Plates and Placards page has more information about eligibility and applications.

Types of Missouri License Plates

Most vehicles are required to display MO license plates form the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR).

Some vehicles must have a tag both on the front AND the rear. Others will only need a rear license plate. The MO DOR will issue the correct number of tags for your vehicle.

In addition to license plates, you'll receive a color-coded registration tab showing the plate's expiration date to put on your license plate.

Specialty Plates

In addition to standard license plates, the MO DOR offers:

• Personalized plates.
• Organizational plates.
• Military honor plates.

To learn more about Missouri tag options, see our Types of Special MO Plates page. Visit our Special Plates Application page for more information about applying.

You may be eligible for handicap parking plates if you have a disability. Get complete details from our Disability Placards and Plates page.

Temporary Tags and Permits

A temporary tag allows you to operate your vehicle for up to 30 days while waiting for your MO license plates.

Your vehicle dealer will give you a temporary tag if you do not have license plates to transfer.

If you buy a vehicle in a private sale, you can get a temporary permit in person at MO license office. You will need:

• A valid safety inspection certificate dated within the last 60 days UNLESS any of the following apply:
  • You present a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO).
  • You are NOT a Missouri resident.
  • The permit is for a trailer.
• A current insurance identification card.
• 1 document from the list below:
  • The vehicle title signed over to you.
  • The MSO.
  • A bill of sale or notice of sale.
  • An Application for Missouri Title and License (Form DOR-108).
• Payment for fees:
  • $5 permit fee.
    AND
    
  • $6 processing fee.

Attach the temporary tag where you would normally attach the license plate.

Apply for License Plates in MO

Applying for MO license plates is part of the vehicle registration process.

You'll need to title and register your vehicle with the MO DOR no more than:

• 30 days from the day you establish Missouri residency.
  OR
  
• 30 days from the date you buy a vehicle.

For complete details, see our Vehicle Registration page.

Renew Your License Plates

You'll renew your Missouri license plates by renewing your vehicle registration.

You should get a registration reminder, but even if you don't, you must renew your plates before your tab expires.

Our Registration Renewal page has detailed information about renewal methods, requirements, and fees.

Replace Missouri Plates or Tabs

If your license plates or expiration decals have been lost, stolen, or damaged, you can order replacements from the MO DOR either:

• By mail.
• In person.

You MUSTreport lost or stolen plates to your local law enforcement agency.

To order replacement license plates and/or tabs, you will need:

• A notarized Application for Replacement Plate(s) and Tab(s) (Form 1576).
• Payment for replacement fees:
  • Replacement fees:
    • Stolen plate or tabs: Are replaced for free (no more than 2 replacements per year).
    • License plate: $8.50 per plate.
    • Set of tabs: $11 per set.
  • Processing fee: $6 for ALL transactions.

Submit your order:

• By mail to the address on the form.
  OR
  
• In person at a MO license office.

You will receive a Replacement Plate Permit that allows you to operate your vehicle while waiting for your replacement license plates.

NOTE: If you find your missing plates or tabs after ordering replacements, they will be invalid and you must surrender them to the MO DOR.

Transfer or Surrender Tags

You can transfer your license plates from a vehicle you own or owned to another vehicle in your name when you register the vehicle you've just bought.

The fee to transfer plates is $2, PLUS any other taxes, title, or registration fees that apply.

Let your vehicle dealer or MO license office agent know that you have tags to transfer.

You CANNOT transfer license plates to the person who buys your vehicle.

If you no longer need your license plates because you have moved to another state, you can do any of the following:

• Destroy and recycle them.
• Surrender them in person at a Missouri license office.
  OR
  
• Surrender them by mail to:
Missouri Department of Revenue
ATTN: License Plate Surrender
301 West High Street, Room 370
Jefferson City, MO 65105

You must surrender lost, stolen, or damaged license plates when you order replacements.

You may have to surrender plates if you get a different plate type, such as a disability parking plate or personalized plate.

Fees for License Plates in MO

• New standard license plates AND annual renewal:
  • Passenger vehicles: Varies by taxable horsepower. See our Vehicle Registration page for a complete list.
  • Motorcycles (2 wheels): $8.75 + $6 processing fee.
  • Motorcycles (3 wheels): $10.25 + $6 processing fee.
  • Recreation vehicles (RVs): $32.25 + $6 processing fee.
  • Trailers: $7.50 + $6 processing fee.
• Replacements:
  • Stolen plates: Free replacement + $6 processing fee.
  • License plates: $8.50 per plate + $6 processing fee.
  • Decals: $11 per decal + $6 processing fee.
• Transfer fee: $2.

Forms

DOR-108

1576

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form

Additional Plates Available:

About the Missouri License Plate

On August 10, 2021, Missouri will celebrate 200 years of statehood, or its bicentennial. To commemorate this historic occasion, the Missouri Legislature passed a law in 2016 requiring the Department of Revenue to begin a reissuance of license plates with a new bicentennial design, no later than January 1, 2019. The new bicentennial design will replace the Missouri bluebird license plate introduced in 2008.

The License Plate Design Advisory Committee was responsible for determining the new plate design. The committee was made up of the director of the Department of Revenue or his or her designee, the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the correctional enterprises administrator, the director of the Department of Transportation, the executive director of the State Historical Society of Missouri, and the respective chairpersons of both the Senate and House of Representatives Transportation Committees. (301.125, RSMo)

This design is representative of the entire state, not specific to a certain region. The plate celebrates the bicentennial with red waves at the top of the plate and blue waves at the bottom of the plate to symbolize our Missouri flag and Missouri rivers, which figure prominently in the state’s historic role as a gateway for American exploration and transportation. The design also features Missouri’s state seal in the center of the plate, the years 1821 and 2021, and a star. Additionally, the Missouri State Highway Patrol noted this new design offers the greatest readability of all plates tested for visibility during the day and nighttime hours.

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

Missouri License Plate Tab Colors

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.

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).

Missouri License Plate Tab Colors Chart

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!