Michigan’s landscape is diverse, offering both urban sophistication and natural beauty. With its Great Lakes, lush forests, rolling hills, and fertile farmland, the state provides picturesque scenery for residents and visitors alike. The used car market in Michigan reflects this diversity, presenting buyers with a wide array of options through dealerships, private sellers, and online platforms. However, Michigan’s climate, known for harsh winters and salted roads, can impact vehicle condition, necessitating thorough inspections for rust and weather-related damage.

As with any state, Michigan’s used car market is not immune to fraud. Buyers must remain vigilant against common scams such as title washing, odometer rollback, and selling stolen vehicles. To protect themselves, buyers should conduct thorough research and obtain vehicle history reports to verify a vehicle’s history and authenticity. Running a license plate lookup and obtaining a vehicle history report are essential steps for buyers in Michigan, providing valuable insights into a vehicle’s past, including accident history, title status, and odometer readings. By utilizing these resources, buyers can make informed decisions, identify potential red flags, and ensure a smoother and safer purchasing process in Michigan’s used car market.

VinCheck.info‘s free Michigan License Plate Lookup service offers invaluable assistance to Michigan residents in their used car buying decisions. By providing a free license plate lookup with a complimentary vehicle history report, VinCheck.info empowers buyers with essential information to make informed choices. This service is provided completely free of charge, allowing Michigan residents to access critical details about a vehicle’s history, ownership, and potential issues without any cost. With VinCheck.info, Michigan buyers can conduct thorough research and gain peace of mind before making a used car purchase, all at no expense.

You can also visit the Michigan Department of State and request for information about Michigan-registered cars. For inquiries, visit the FAQs page. Contact the agency at 888-767-6424 or visit the Contact page for further assistance.

Michigan Secretary of State (SOS)
8158 Executive Court, Suite 30
Lansing, MI 48917

https://www.michigan.gov/sos

Michigan License Plates & Placards

A Michigan license plate is a metal or plastic plate that is affixed to the rear of a motor vehicle. It is issued by the Michigan Secretary of State’s office and serves as identification for the vehicle and includes a series of letters and numbers that are unique to the vehicle and registered owner. In the state of Michigan, all motor vehicles must be registered with the Secretary of State’s office. When you buy a vehicle, you have 15 days to register and title your vehicle from the date of purchase. If your stay is temporary, you may opt for either temporary permits: (1) the 30-day permit, (2) and the 60-day permit. Michigan plate’s serial format contains three letters and four numerical digits. Many populous states have formats similar to Michigan’s. In addition, Michigan issues only a single rear license plate for each car.

A replacement plate for a lost or stolen Michigan license plate costs $5. It can be acquired from any Michigan Secretary of State office. Provide documents about registration and identification to process request.

Types of Michigan License Plates

There are seven (7) types of plate being issued in the state of Michigan.

1. Fundraising License Plates
2. Personalized License Plates
3. Historical Plates
4. Special Organization Plates
5. Veteran / Military Service Plates
6. Standard Plates
7. Collector License Plates

Be sure to check out the requirements for each plate as they may vary.

Transferring of License Plates in Michigan

A license plate transfer can be processed in a Secretary of State office. To process a plate transfer, you need your current registration, your title to the vehicle in which the plate will be transferred to, and your payment of $8 for the transfer fee. Additional fees might be required for a plate transfer involving two different vehicle types.

Titling Requirements and Procedure in Michigan

The applicant must title the vehicle within two weeks of becoming the new owner. An application through a proxy is not allowed, so the owner must appear in person when requesting a car title. If a car has a shared ownership, all owners must be present at the office where the titling process is being held. For duplicate requests, only the presence of a single owner is required.

The applicant is advised to apply for a vehicle title on time, or within the time frame allowed by the state, to avoid being penalized. Be sure to bring the necessary documents, such as ownership and identification papers, when you apply for a title. Prepare a budget for the fees that will be asked for during the title application. Usually, a six percent use tax is charged when a car is applied for titling. However, exemptions may be granted if the sale has been made between or among relatives.

For those who want to speed up the titling process, a select number of offices can be visited for their instant titling services. Applicants on tight schedules may also conduct their application through the online platform, ExpressSOS. Replacement can be requested in either medium as well. Wait for your title to be delivered within two weeks after submitting your request. To learn more about the state’s policies regarding vehicle titles, visit the Title and Registration page.