How Much Are License Plates In Michigan?

In the state of Michigan, the cost of a standard plate is $5 plus registration fees.

If you want Michigan personalized plates, you will have to pay $30 in addition to your vehicle registration fees.

In Michigan, vehicles only require a rear license plate.

(A rear license plate is required in every state in the United States. Some states require vehicles to have a front plate, while others do not.)

Here are the necessary steps to getting new license plates from the Michigan Secretary of State office (Michigan SOS).

1. Insure your vehicle. Before registering your vehicle, get proper auto insurance coverage from a licensed provider in Michigan.
2. Visit a Secretary of State office. Locate your nearest Michigan SOS office, as you will need to visit in person to register your vehicle and get license plates.
3. Complete required forms. Fill out the necessary registration and title application forms, which are available at the Secretary of State office or on their website.
4. Provide documentation. Present proof of ownership, your Michigan driver's license, proof of insurance, and, if applicable, any lien information.
5. Pay applicable fees. Pay the required fees for registration, titling, taxes, and license plates. The fees may vary depending on factors such as the type and weight of the vehicle, as well as the type of license plate you are requesting.
6. Receive your plates. After processing your application and payment, the Secretary of State office will mail the license plate, which you must attach to your vehicle as required by Michigan law. Temporary registration and a temporary plate may be issued if your permanent plates are not immediately available.

There are many different types of license plates: passenger license plates, commercial vehicle plates, special license plates, trailer plates, and motorcycle plates.

Standard license plates measure 6 by 12 inches and are rectangular (motorcycle license plates are smaller, measuring 4 by 7 inches). They are made of aluminum, which is durable and resistant to rust.

A Michigan license plate has seven characters (across the 50 states, license plates have anywhere from six to eight characters).

Let’s look at how much Michigan license plate fees are for different types of plates.

A standard Michigan license plate costs $5. Plates can be ordered online or by mail, or you can apply in person by visiting the Secretary of State's office.

Standard Michigan license plates can be put on passenger vehicles, business cars, trucks, and vans.

Michigan drivers can choose from the following designs:

1. Pure Michigan plate
2. Mackinac Bridge plate
3. Water-Winter Wonderland plate

Standard license plates are issued in any of the following scenarios:

A Michigan personalized license plate costs $30 per year.

Personalized Michigan plates can be ordered online or at your local SOS office by submitting the following:

In-Person
To order a personalized plate at a SOS office, you will need:


Online
To personalize a plate online, you will need to:

Your personalized license plate will arrive in the mail. Delivery times can be up to 6 weeks to receive your personalized plate.

Specialty license plates stand for different groups, causes, or affiliations, so people can show their support for a certain group or cause. Michigan special plates cost $35, of which $25 goes to the respective charity associated with your choice of plate.

Michigan special interest plate options include:


You can apply for your specialty plate online, in-person, or by mail.

Michigan offers disabled license plates to those with disabilities. Disability license plates come with no additional fees.

To apply, fill out the application for a disability license plate and give it to a licensed medical professional so they can sign it.

Once your licensed medical professional has signed it, you can drop it off at a Secretary of State office or mail it to the following address:

Michigan Department of State
Internal Services Section
7064 Crowner Drive
Lansing, MI 48918-8264

Digital license plates are available in Michigan from a private company, Reviver. A battery powered license plate costs $19.95 per month. Hard-wired digital license plates cost $24.95 per month.

Read our complete guide to digital license plates to learn more about what they are and how they work.

To complete a Michigan vehicle title transfer, you will need to provide the following:


See our guide to transferring a Michigan car title for more detailed information on the title transfer process.

To apply for a Michigan license plate, you must have a valid car registration card from the Michigan SOS. Michigan registrations can be done in person. To make things more efficient, you register your car and transfer its title at the same time.

An initial registration must take place in person at a local SOS office by submitting the following:


How are Michigan Vehicle Registration Fees Calculated?

In Michigan, registration fees are calculated by a vehicle's MSRP and age. The registration fee decreases as the vehicle ages. Here is a general breakdown of the fees:

You can order license plates in Michigan in person at a SOS office. Here are the steps for ordering license plates in Michigan:

The cost of registering a car in Michigan from another state is determined by the vehicle's age, weight, and value. Here are some fees that may apply:

1. Title fee: $15
2. Registration fee: depending on the age of the vehicle
3. Sales tax: Michigan charges 6%
If you're planning on purchasing a car out of state, PrivateAuto Pay allows you to have escrow-like services in the palm of your hand and get the deal done quickly and easily. Read our guide to buying a car remotely to learn how.

If you use your car occasionally or may be out of the country for extended periods of time, you can purchase a 30-day or 60-day temporary permit for short-term use of your car.


To purchase a temporary registration, visit a Secretary of State office and provide the following:

Before you buy a used car in Michigan, find out if it has any hidden fees. If it does, you could be responsible for them.

The first step is to obtain the vehicle identification number (VIN) from the seller. With the VIN, you can contact your closest Michigan SOS location and request a title search. The Michigan SOS will be able to tell you if there are any unpaid fees associated with the car, such as a vehicle registration fee or a parking ticket.

Whether you are trying to purchase or sell a used car in Michigan, we make it happen. Our integrated banking gateway, PrivateAuto Pay, is truly revolutionary. It allows you to receive or send unlimited funds for free and instantly.