Missouri Vehicle Registration

Missouri Vehicle Registration: Complete Guide

Missouri Vehicle RegistrationIn Missouri, vehicle registration comes along with titling. The state’s DMV function is handled by Missouri Department of Revenue. Before applying for a Missouri vehicle registration, make sure you have conducted a thorough background check on the car’s ownership. Stolen vehicles that were sold to innocent buyers might be confiscated by law enforcement, without a guarantee of compensation.

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If you are planning to stay in the long term, you must get your car registered in the state. The same applies if you work, study, or operate a business in Missouri. The car dealer will do it for you if you are buying from them. But when it comes to a private seller, you have to do it yourself in order to transfer the ownership under your name. The process is simple and easy.

Check out all the information you need here at VINCheck.info if you want to:

Missouri License Plates

Missouri License PlateMost vehicles are issued with two license plates to be displayed at the front and rear end of the vehicle. License plates are used for identification purposes and provide law enforcement a means to locate the vehicle owner through motor vehicle records. License plates must have updated registration sticker in order to show that they are valid and not expired.

If your license plates or tabs have been stolen, mutilated, damaged, or lost; it is your responsibility to obtain a replacement.

You may submit an Application for Replacement Plate(s) or Tab(s) Form (1576) in person at one of the Missouri license offices. Or, if you want to mail your request, you may send it to:

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
MOTOR VEHICLE BUREAU
PO BOX 100
JEFFERSON CITY MO 65105-0100

Please state your reason on the form, along with your payment of $6 for the processing fee.

Registration Requirements for Old Missouri Residents

Any motor vehicle purchased by a Missouri resident must be registered within 30 days from the date of sale. A corresponding late fee applies for late registration. They must also present these requirements when processing registration:

Requirements:

Additional requirements that may apply:

Fees, taxes & other charges that must be paid:

Registration Requirements for New Missouri Residents

Vehicle owners must register their motor vehicles within 30 days of becoming a Missouri resident. Late registration is penalized. The amount to be paid depends on the severity of lateness. They must also present these requirements when processing registration:

Requirements:

  • Vehicle Title
  • Registration Certificate
  • Other Proof of Ownership (in lieu of registration certificate)
  • Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108)
  • Current Insurance Identification Card
  • Other Proof of Valid Insurance (in lieu of insurance ID card)

Additional requirements that may apply:

Fees, taxes & other charges that must be paid:

  • State Tax of 4.225 percent
  • Local Sales Tax based on purchase price (if applicable)
  • $8.50 Title Fee
  • $6 Processing Fee
  • Others

Military Personnel Vehicle Registration

Employees of the US military who are stationed in the state may register their vehicles in Missouri. The vehicle being registered must be inspected within 10 days of entering the state. Just bring the following to a competent authority:

Requirements:

  • Title Certificate, including:
    • A signature indicating you are the owner
  • Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (in lieu of the title)
  • Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108)
  • Current Insurance Identification Card
  • Statement of Non-Assessment from an assessor’s office (Missouri resident), or:
    • Leave and Earnings Statement (non-Missouri resident)
    • Property Tax Receipt (if leave/earning statement indicates Missouri as residency)
  • Proof of VIN Check & Odometer Inspection (if ownership is transferred from out of state)
    • It must contain a signed statement from a US army commissioned officer
  • General Affidavit – Form 768 (if the vehicle is out of state for over 60 days)

Fees, taxes & other charges that must be paid:

  • State Tax of 4.225 percent
  • Local Sales Tax based on purchase price (if applicable)
  • $8.50 Title Fee
  • $6 Processing Fee
  • Others

Registering a Salvaged Vehicle in Missouri

A vehicle is deemed ‘salvaged’ by law enforcement if it was declared a ‘total loss’ by the insurance provider. Once the ‘salvage’ title is granted, the car becomes prohibited from being driven.

If a salvage-titled vehicle is restored to a condition that satisfies the state’s standard for roadworthiness, the unit can be applied for a ‘rebuilt’ title. As with other cars, the corresponding registration requirements will apply if the owner decides to re-register it.

Earning a ‘rebuilt’ title will restore the previous rights and privileges associated with the car. To this end, the Missouri Department of Revenue will issue license plates, sticker and other documents.

Requirements:

  • Salvage Title, including:
    • Remarks that indicate the applicant’s ownership
    • Odometer Disclosure Statement Form (for non-conforming vehicles with less than 10 years of age)
  • Notarized Bill of Sale, including:
    • The Vehicle’s Purchase Price
    • Remarks indicating the applicant’s ownership
  • Application for Missouri Title and License Form (DOR-108)
    • $25 Payment for the Title Application Form
    • $6 Processing Fee
    • $8.50 Title Fee
  • Vehicle Examination Certificate (DOR-551)
  • Title Certificate Copy, including:
    • Remarks on the acquisition of component parts
    • Other Invoices, Receipts and Bill of Sales of installed parts

Depending on your situation, some or all of the said documents may qualify as follow-up requirements by a competent authority.

Renewing Your Missouri Vehicle Registration

Renew your vehicle registration a month before it expires. The option to renew is open up to six months before the due date. It can be done in three ways:

Requirements:

  • Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice, or:
  • Paid Personal Property Tax Receipt, or:
    • Statement of Non-Assessment
    • Previous Personal Property Tax Receipt(s)
  • Current Insurance Identification Card, or:
    • Other Proof of Financial Responsibility/Insurance
  • Registration and Processing Fees

Additional requirements that may apply:

  • Missouri Safety Inspection Certificate (not more than two months old)
  • Missouri Emissions Inspection Certificate (not more than two months old)
  • $5 Renewal Penalty (if the vehicle is being renewed beyond the due date)

How Do I Change My Address with Missouri Department of Revenue?

To request a change of address on your DMV records, you may complete the Address Change Form (4160) or try the Online Address Change.

You may also mail it to the following address:

Missouri Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 100
Jefferson City, MO 65105-0100

How to Gift a Vehicle To a Family Member or Friend

To transfer vehicle ownership, you must present some or all of these requirements (as decided by an authorized agent):

  • Title Certificate, including:
    • The word ‘GIFT’ on the sale price area
    • Safety Inspection Certificate (not more than two months old)
    • Emissions Inspection (not more than two months old)
  • General Affidavit (Form 768), or:
    • A written statement about the unit being gifted to the new owner
  • Lien Release (Form 4809)
  • Indication of gifting on the Notice of Sale (Form 5049), or:

Please take note that a vehicle cannot be gifted twice in succession. Also, the license plates, in general, do not carry over to the next owner when vehicle ownership is transferred.

Minimum Vehicle Insurance Requirement in Missouri

Insured Motorist

  • $25,000 per person for bodily injury
  • $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
  • $25,000 per accident for property

Uninsured Motorist

  • $25,000 per person for bodily injury
  • $50,000 per accident for bodily injury

Vehicle Registration Fees in Missouri

Missouri Department of Revenue charges multiple when you register your vehicle. Each case is different. These fees will be charged during your car purchase if you buy from a dealer. You must pay the agency directly if you purchased your vehicle from a private party. The fees that are required from ALL vehicles include:

Taxable Horsepower
(recorded on title)		1-Year Fee1-Year Processing Fee2-Year Fee2-Year
Processing Fee
Under 12 HP$18.25$6$36.50$12
12 – 23 HP$21.25$6$42.50$12
24 – 35 HP$24.25$6$48.50$12
36 – 47 HP$33.25$6$66.50$12
48 – 59 HP$39.25$6$78.50$12
60 – 71 HP$45.25$6$90.50$12
72 HP +$51.25$6$102.50$12

Temporary Permit in Missouri

You may procure a temporary permit for the following reasons:

  • You want to drive in the state while waiting for your official license plates to arrive
  • You want to process your vehicle’s registration/title in the state

Requirements:

  • Title Certificate, or:
    • Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin
  • Bill of Sale (Form 1957)
  • Notice of Sale (Form 5049)
  • Missouri Application for Title and License (Form 108)
  • Valid Safety Inspection (not more than two months)
  • Proof of Valid of Insurance
  • $5 Permit Pee
  • $6 Processing Fee

Surrender the permit once the appropriate license plates are provided.

We hope that this guide will help you register your car in Missouri. Although each and every circumstance may require a different process and procedure, the steps to be followed and the documentary requirements are almost identical.