After moving into the state, you have exactly 30 days from the date you became a Missouri resident to register your vehicle. Registering your car means you’ll be able to get a Missouri title and license plates.

The first thing you need is the original title. You need proof of ownership from the state from where you moved, and the car has to be titled in your name. If there’s a lien on the vehicle and

the lienholder

holds the title, you will need to obtain it from them. You can request to have the new title mailed to them once you obtain it.

Then, you’ll need a safety inspection done at an

authorized Missouri inspection station

. This will also take care of the identification number and odometer inspection requirement. This inspection cannot be more than 60 days old.

You’ll also have to get an emissions inspection if you reside in St. Louis City or St. Louis, Jefferson, and St. Charles counties—and it can’t be more than 60 days old at the time of your application.

You also need to bring a current

insurance identification card

showing that you have at least the

Missouri state insurance minimums

for your vehicle. If you don’t have a card, you’ll need adequate

proof of financial responsibility

. Additionally, you have to bring a statement of non-assessment from your Missouri county of residence showing that you don’t owe any personal property taxes in the county.

Gather all the documentation listed above along with a signed

application for Missouri Title and License

(Form 108), then head to your

local license office

. You’ll have to pay an $8.50 title fee, $6.00 processing fee, and $2 electric transmission fee if applicable.

On top of that, you’ll have to pay registration fees, which range from $18.25 to $102.50 based on your vehicle’s taxable horsepower or whether you’re getting a 1-year or 2-year registration.

Once you do this, you’ll be able to obtain Missouri title and license plates for your car!

If you just bought a car

If you just purchased a car, the requirements are quite similar. You have 30 days from the date of purchase to register your car and pay sales tax. You’ll have to fill out

Form 108

and provide the following documentation:

Certificate of Title or Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin

Safety inspection

Odometer disclosure statement, if applicable

Notarized lien release (if applicable)

For fees, you can expect to pay the standard $8.50 title fee and $6 processing fee, along with a state tax rate of 4.225% plus local sales tax on the purchase price.

MORE:

Title transfer in Missouri

How much insurance coverage do you need in Missouri?

Missouri drivers are required by law to obtain

liability car insurance

. They must be able to show proof of insurance to any law enforcement official upon request at any time. Missouri requires the following amounts of coverage:

At least $25,000 in

bodily injury liability coverage

per person

At least $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident

At least $25,000 in

property damage liability coverage

per accident

The law also requires you to have uninsured motorist coverage in the amount of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident.

How to renew your Missouri vehicle registration

Missouri license plates

can be renewed up to six months before their expiration date, and renewal is actually quite easy. If you’re a Missouri resident, you should receive a Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice in the mail—you will need this to complete your renewal. If you didn’t get this notice, just print a copy of the

Application for Motor Vehicle License

(Form 184).

You are able to get a one-year or two-year registration, so your requirements may change a little depending on which one you need. Here are the general requirements:

A Renewal Notice or Form 184 (see above)

A Missouri safety inspection and/or emissions inspection certificate (if applicable) that is less than 60 days old

Verification of personal property tax for the previous year (if renewing one-year registration) or previous two years (if renewing two-year registration)

Current insurance identification card

Registration fees (see above)

Keep in mind that for verification of personal property tax, you will need a paid personal property tax receipt and a statement of non-assessment from your county of residence or the city of St. Louis, depending on where you live. The fees are largely the same.

If you miss the renewal window, you will be subject to a $5 renewal penalty. The last day to renew is the last day of the expiry month listed on your license plate stickers.

Luckily, there are four easy ways to renew your registration. You can do so by phone—just call 573-751-1957 if you are eligible. The phone method is usable between 8 am and 4:30 pm, Mondays to Fridays. You may be able to call your local license office as well for renewal services, if they offer them.

If you have a Personal Identification Number on your Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice, that means you are able to renew online. You can also renew by mail by following the instructions on the Renewal notice.

Finally, if you never received a Renewal Notice or are just a people person, you can renew in person at any Missouri license office. The busiest time in these offices is at the end of the month, so planning ahead and visiting earlier can likely save you a lot of waiting. Please be sure to have your paperwork ready to go.

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How to replace a lost registration sticker or license plate

If you lose your license plates or stickers, Missouri can send you up to two sets of replacement plates or tabs at no cost (although a $6 processing fee will apply). All you need is to submit a completed and notarized

Application for Replacement Plates/Tabs

(Form 1576) with the reason for the replacement and the $6 processing fee.

Remember, if your plates or stickers have been stolen, you should also notify local law enforcement. The transaction itself can be processed at any license office. You can also submit your application and fee by mail to:

Missouri Department of Revenue

Motor Vehicle Bureau

PO Box 100

Jefferson City MO 65105-0100

How to save on auto insurance in Missouri

As you can tell, insurance is pretty important to obtain your car’s title in Missouri. In addition to the

minimum coverage required by the state

, it’s a good idea to add

collision coverage

and

comprehensive coverage

to your policy.

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FAQs

What are the requirements to register a vehicle in Missouri?

Missouri registration requires you to fill out a Form 108 application and bring the required paperwork to a local license office. This includes original title, emissions test certificates, safety inspection certificates, statements of non-assessments, and proof of insurance.

How much does it take to register a car in Missouri?

The exact fees change based on your vehicle’s taxable horsepower and the length of time you want your registration to last. For example, a car with a taxable horsepower of 72 will cost $51.25 for a one-year registration. A standard processing fee of $6 and $8.50 title fee will apply as well.

What is the cost to register a truck in Missouri?

The price for trucks changes depending on gross weight plus load, ranging from $15.75 for local trucks hauling 6,000 lbs to over $100 for beyond local trucks at 24,000 lbs. The standard processing fees apply.

Who is exempt from registering their vehicle in Missouri?

There are no exemptions to registrations, unless you’re not a long-term domiciled resident of Missouri.

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