How Much Do Kansas License Plates Cost?
If you buy a used car from a private seller in Kansas, you’ll need to get a new license plate when registering the vehicle. A standard Kansas passenger vehicle plate costs $45.50 on top of registration fees, which run up to $52.50.
Kansas also has a variety of specialty and personalized plates to choose from, which cost more. Additional taxes and fees apply to both new and renewal registrations.
Let’s explore how much the different types of plates cost in the great state of Kansas.
Let’s explore how much the different types of plates cost in the great state of Kansas.
Kansas License Plate Types
Kansas offers the following plate options for passenger vehicles:
1. Standard passenger plates
2. Personalized plates
3. Distinctive plates
1. Standard passenger plates
2. Personalized plates
3. Distinctive plates
How Much is a Standard License Plate in Kansas?
A standard Kansas license plate costs $45.50. You’ll get a new Kansas standard plate in any of the following scenarios:
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When you first register your vehicle
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When replacing damaged, lost, or stolen plates
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When downgrading from a more expensive or specialized plate (personalized or distinctive plates)
How Much is a Kansas Personalized License Plate?
Want to make a statement? Personalized plates, also called message license plates, let you customize your ride with a unique letter and number combo. There's a personal property tax fee depending on the design you choose, plus the $45.50 standard plate cost. The Kansas county treasurer's office can walk you through getting a customized 7-character Kansas plate.
When selecting the lettering for your custom Kansas plate, there are some restrictions:
When selecting the lettering for your custom Kansas plate, there are some restrictions:
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You are limited to 7 total characters and spaces
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No special characters or punctuation can be used
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Offensive or inappropriate words and phrases are prohibited
How Much is a Kansas Distinctive License Plate?
Kansas allows you to show support for specific causes and organizations with “distinctive plates.” Most Kansas distinctive license plates have a one-time base fee of $45.50 (same as a standard plate), plus annual donations or additional fees that vary by plate type.
For specific pricing details, click on the relevant organization link on the Kansas Distinctive License Plates page.
Kansas offers several types of “distinctive license plates”:
1. Educational license plates—supporting Kansas educational institutions
2. “Other organization” license plates—supporting various causes
3. Military license plates
4. “Other” distinctive plates
For specific pricing details, click on the relevant organization link on the Kansas Distinctive License Plates page.
Kansas offers several types of “distinctive license plates”:
1. Educational license plates—supporting Kansas educational institutions
2. “Other organization” license plates—supporting various causes
3. Military license plates
4. “Other” distinctive plates
Other Organization Distinctive Plates
Kansas offers the following “other” organizations you can show your support for.
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Agriculture in the Classroom
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Amateur Radio Plate
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Antique Vehicle Plates
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Braden's Hope for Childhood Cancer
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Breast Cancer Research Plate
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Children's Trust Fund
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Choose Life
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Donate Life Plate
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Ducks Unlimited Plate
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EMS Plate
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Firefighter Plate
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Gadsden Flag Plate
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I'm Pet Friendly
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In God We Trust Plate
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Kansas Horse Council
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Kansas Freemasons
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Love, Chloe
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Shriner Plate
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State of the Arts
Kansas Military License Plates
Kansas offers several military license plates to honor service.
Some key options include:
- Army
- Marine Corps
- Navy
- Coast Guard
- Air Force
- Space Force
To apply for a military license plate, you need to mail the following:
Some key options include:
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U.S. Veteran Plate
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National Guard Plate
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Military Branch Plates
- Marine Corps
- Navy
- Coast Guard
- Air Force
- Space Force
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Combat Wounded Plat
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Disabled Veteran Plate
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Ex-Prisoner of War Plate
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Gold Star Mother Plate
To apply for a military license plate, you need to mail the following:
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Completed application for military plates (Form TR-102).
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Official military documentation.
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Payment for the license plate and registration fee (if applicable).
Other Distinctive License Plates
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Antique Vehicles
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Families of the Fallen
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Special Interest
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Street Rod
Kansas Educational License Plates
Kansas allows you to show your support for the following educational institutions.
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Benedictine College
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Emporia State University
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Fort Hays State University
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Friends University
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Kansas State University
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Kansas University
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Pittsburg State University
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Washburn University
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Wichita State University
How Much is a Kansas Handicap License Plate?
Kansas offers a disability license plate for $5.50 to accommodate individuals with disabilities. This plate provides designated parking access and other privileges to better serve disabled residents.
To apply for the disability license plate in Kansas:
1. Complete the Disabled Placard and/or Plate Application (Form TR-159). A licensed healthcare professional must sign this.
2. If the vehicle already has regular plates, bring those plates along with current registration and insurance proof to the county treasurer's office to be replaced with the disability plate.
To apply for the disability license plate in Kansas:
1. Complete the Disabled Placard and/or Plate Application (Form TR-159). A licensed healthcare professional must sign this.
2. If the vehicle already has regular plates, bring those plates along with current registration and insurance proof to the county treasurer's office to be replaced with the disability plate.
How Much is a Commercial Plate in Kansas?
In Kansas, a commercial vehicle plate costs anywhere from $150 to $400 depending on the vehicle weight and type. The lowest fees start around $150 for light commercial pickups and trailers. Heavy semi trucks can cost up to $400 annually.
How Much is a Motor Home Plate In Kansas?
In Kansas, motorhome (RV) license plates cost from $24 to $70 annually.
How Much is a Trailer Plate in Kansas?
In Kansas, a trailer plate costs $10.
How Much is a Motor Home Plate In Kansas?
In Kansas, motorhome (RV) license plates cost from $24 to $70 annually.
How to Apply for a Kansas License Plate
Here are the steps for getting a new license plate in Kansas:
1. Gather required documents like vehicle title, insurance, and ID.
2. Visit your local county treasurer's office.
3. Submit the vehicle registration application.
4. Pay applicable registration fees, plate fees, and taxes.
5. Get your new Kansas plate and registration from the county treasurer when approved.
6. Attach your new Kansas plate to the rear of your vehicle. Kansas requires a rear license plate only.
1. Gather required documents like vehicle title, insurance, and ID.
2. Visit your local county treasurer's office.
3. Submit the vehicle registration application.
4. Pay applicable registration fees, plate fees, and taxes.
5. Get your new Kansas plate and registration from the county treasurer when approved.
6. Attach your new Kansas plate to the rear of your vehicle. Kansas requires a rear license plate only.
License Plate Trivia
Here are some interesting facts about Kansas license plates:
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Kansas requires a rear plate only, unlike some states that also require a front plate in addition to the rear.
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Kansas license plates measure 6 by 12 inches, which is a standard across the US.
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A motorcycle license plate is a bit smaller, measuring 4 by 7 inches.
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The Kansas license plate has up to seven characters. (Across the US, license plate formats range from 6 to 8 characters.)
How Much Does Motor Vehicle Registration Cost in Kansas?
The registration fee for passenger vehicles is based on vehicle weight. Registration fees range from $42.50 to $52.50, plus a personal property tax.
In Kansas, the whole vehicle registration process is done at the county treasurer’s office rather than the Department of Revenue (the Kansas DMV equivalent). The treasurer's office is in charge of collecting vehicle property taxes and issuing vehicle registration certificates.
To register your vehicle bring the following documents:
In Kansas, the whole vehicle registration process is done at the county treasurer’s office rather than the Department of Revenue (the Kansas DMV equivalent). The treasurer's office is in charge of collecting vehicle property taxes and issuing vehicle registration certificates.
To register your vehicle bring the following documents:
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Proof of ownership
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Proof of insurance
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Proof of residency
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Proof of VIN inspection
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Payment for motor vehicle registration fees
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Payment for Kansas’s sales tax: 6.5% of the vehicle purchase price
What do I do With My Old License Plate in Kansas?
When you receive a new Kansas license plate, either during renewal or for a new vehicle registration, you will need to properly dispose of your old plate.
Here are your main options:
Here are your main options:
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Return: you can return your old plate to the county treasurer's office when getting a new plate issued.
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Recycle: you may remove any registration stickers and recycle the aluminum plates through your local recycling program, if available in your area.
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Keep: some individuals choose to retain their old plate as a souvenir or decor. Just be sure to invalidate any active registration stickers first.
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Transfer: in Kansas, a plate can be legally transferred between vehicles registered to the same owner. Proper paperwork must be filed with the county treasurer's office.
How Much Does a Kansas Title Transfer Cost?
The standard title transfer fee in Kansas is $10.
To transfer a vehicle title to your name, you will need the following:
Read our complete guide to a Kansas title transfer for more info on the subject.
To transfer a vehicle title to your name, you will need the following:
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The current vehicle title certificate, signed over to you by the previous vehicle owner
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A completed application for a certificate of title
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Lien information (if applicable)
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Receipt for paid Kansas vehicle sales tax
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Payment for the vehicle title fee
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Payment for the repossession title fee: $3
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Valid ID or driver's license
Read our complete guide to a Kansas title transfer for more info on the subject.
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1. Browse used cars for sale by owner. Filter by location, vehicle type, or other criteria.
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3. Message the seller with any questions without revealing your contact info.
4. Schedule the test drive while keeping your personal details private.
5. Electronically sign the bill of sale along with the seller.
6. Instantly send payment and take ownership of the car.
1. Browse used cars for sale by owner. Filter by location, vehicle type, or other criteria.
2. Make offers on vehicles you like (PrivateAuto lets you offer less than the asking price).
3. Message the seller with any questions without revealing your contact info.
4. Schedule the test drive while keeping your personal details private.
5. Electronically sign the bill of sale along with the seller.
6. Instantly send payment and take ownership of the car.
Our innovative platform connects buyers and sellers and gives them all the tools to complete the deal, from in-app vehicle financing to secure messaging to integrated payments. You can also schedule a test drive and negotiate the price without ever disclosing your personal information.
License Plates FAQ
What does PWR mean on Kansas plates?
In Kansas, the vertical PWR appears on certain commercial license plates. The plates are missing a yearly registration decal that indicates the month and year the plates expire and identifies vehicles registered as "power units."