License plates and tabs
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Order a duplicate title
All vehicles and trailers used on Michigan’s roadways must be registered and display a valid license plate with a current registration tab. Your vehicle registration will show your license plate number and vehicle information number (VIN).
Pick from several plate options depending on your eligibility:
Standard license plates cost $5 (plus registration fees). Receive a standard Pure Michigan license plate, motorcycle plate, or trailer plate, or order a specialty Mackinac Bridge graphic or Water-Winter Wonderland plate.
Standard license plates
These modern-day replicas are made with the same technology and materials currently used in manufacturing all of Michigan’s license plate types. A portion of each plate order and renewal go into the Road Fund. These funds are earmarked for road construction and repair and will be administered through the Michigan Transportation Fund.
Legacy license plates
A portion of the funds collected for a specialty cause license plate are donated to the specific cause displayed on the plate.
Special cause fundraising plates
A portion of the funds collected for a university license plate are donated to the state university displayed on the plate.
University fundraising plates
Military service members; veterans; and, in some cases, their family members are eligible for specific service and conflict plates.
Military and veteran plates
Amateur radio plates may only be ordered by ham radio operators. Special organization plates are available for members of select nonprofit and public service organizations.
Amateur radio and special organization plates
Michigan offers many of its license plates for purchase as collector, souvenir, and sample license plates. The plates look like regular license plates but are for display purposes only and aren’t for vehicle registration.
Collector plates
Vehicles that are at least 26 years old; owned solely as a collector’s item; and used only for events such as historical club activities, parades, and car shows may qualify for an historical or authentic license plate. Vehicles with historical or authentic plates cannot be used for routine, day-to-day transportation except for the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when they can be driven at any time.
Order a historical or authentic plate
Residents who qualify may apply for a disability license plate, which includes an insignia indicating that the vehicle owner is legally allowed to park in spaces reserved for residents with a disability.
Disability license plate
Farm, gross vehicle weight (GVW), log, fleet, and other commercial vehicle license plates can be applied for and, in some cases, are required to be renewed at a Secretary of State office.
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The Michigan Department of State does not sell, administer, or profit from digital license plates. They are legal in Michigan but only sold by private companies and auto dealers. Digital plates serve as representations of the standard metal license plates that vehicle owners purchase and renew with the Secretary of State.
Please note: Michigan is discontinuing its current digital plate option. As of August 9, 2026, owners of existing digital plates will need to replace them with standard metal license plates.
Vehicle registration tabs and plates expire on the vehicle owner’s birthday. One- and two-year vehicle registrations are available.
You can renew your registration tab and plate online or by mail or renew and print your tabs instantly at a self-service station. To calculate your renewal fees, check your renewal mailer or use the renewal fee calculator under Online Services.
It’s required to provide proof of a valid Michigan No-Fault insurance policy when renewing your vehicle. Some insurance providers report insurance policy information automatically through the Electronic Insurance Verification (EIV) system.
If your insurance provider doesn’t participate in EIV, renew your tab and plate by mail or at a Secretary of State office to provide a copy of your valid insurance policy.
Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles An electric vehicle (EV) is one that is propelled only by electrical energy and doesn’t require gasoline, diesel, or other fuels. Examples of EVs are the Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, and Tesla models. Plug-in passenger hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) are similar to EVs in that they both use electrical power to propel the vehicle. However, unlike EVs, PHEVs also use a gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine in combination with the electric motor. Examples of PHEVs are the Chevrolet Volt, Ford Escape Plug-in, and Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid.
Fees for renewing the vehicle registration for an EV and a PHEV EV and PHEV fees are charged when renewing the registration of an EV or PHEV. The fee will also be charged when a plate is transferred from a non-electric or non-hybrid vehicle to an electric or hybrid vehicle.
The EV fee is $155 and is charged in addition to any regular registration fees. The EV fee for trucks and buses is $255. The PHEV fee is $57 and is charged in addition to the regular registration fees. The PHEV fee for trucks and buses is $127. Renew tab and plate
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If you lose or damage your license plate, tab, or vehicle registration, you can order a replacement.
Before ordering a replacement or duplicate, check to make sure that the address on your vehicle registration is correct and up to date.
You can transfer a plate from a vehicle that’s already titled and registered in your name to another vehicle titled in your name, or when selling your vehicle to an immediate family member.
To transfer a license plate, visit a Secretary of State office and provide the following:
Current vehicle registration or license plate number Title for the vehicle you are transferring the vehicle to (or a Michigan title application) Payment for plate transfer fees Proof of insurance isn’t required when transferring a license plate unless you changed insurance companies since your last license plate renewal.
NOTE: License plates can’t be transferred to non-family members. If you’re selling a vehicle in a private sale, you will need to remove your license plate before completing a private sale.
Transfer plate
If you may use your vehicles only occasionally or may be out of the country for extended periods of time, you may buy a 30-day temporary permit or 60-day temporary permit for short-term use of your vehicle.
The 30-day permit fee is 1/10 the annual registration fee or $20 (whichever is greater) plus a $10 service fee. The 60-day permit fee is 1/5 the annual registration fee or $40 (whichever is greater) plus a $10 service fee. To purchase a temporary registration, visit a Secretary of State office to provide the following:
Proof of vehicle ownership (i.e. the title or expired plate registration) Proof of valid Michigan No-Fault insurance for the vehicle Payment for temporary registration fees You don’t need to provide proof of insurance for a trailer. Vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) plates can use a temporary registration so long as they don’t carry a load.
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