Other Vehicle Registrations in Michigan

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

Beyond standard passenger cars, Michigan SOS titles and registers motorcycles, mopeds, trailers of every weight class, recreational vehicles (RVs), Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs), snowmobiles, historic-plate vehicles, and farm-use vehicles. Each category has its own fee schedule, plate type, and special permit requirements.

Motorcycles

A Michigan motorcycle requires a separate CY motorcycle endorsement on the operator's license, a title, and a registration with SOS. The endorsement is added to the standard Operator's License after passing a written motorcycle test and a riding test. Michigan honors completion of an MSF Basic Rider Course (BRC) in lieu of the riding test.

Annual motorcycle registration: $23 for most motorcycles, with weight-based variations for larger machines. Title fee: $15. Michigan does not require an annual inspection for motorcycles. Helmets are required for riders under 21 in all cases and for over-21 riders without specific endorsement training and additional medical insurance.

Mopeds

Michigan defines a moped as a two-wheel vehicle with a top speed under 30 mph and an engine under 100cc (or 2.0 brake horsepower). Mopeds require:

A Michigan driver's license or moped operator's license.
A Michigan moped registration — fee approximately $15 every 3 years.
A Michigan title (the standard $15 title fee).
NO insurance requirement (mopeds are exempt from Michigan's no-fault insurance mandate).
A small moped registration sticker affixed to the moped.

Mopeds may be ridden in standard traffic but not on limited-access highways. Riders under 19 must wear a helmet.

Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs)

Michigan SOS titles ATVs and side-by-side ORVs separately from licensing. Fees:

ORV title: $15.
ORV license (registration): $26.25 per year.
ORV trail permit (additional, required to ride state-designated trails): $26.25 per year.

ORVs must be operated in designated areas only — Michigan permits a "scramble area" model with specific zones, plus several thousand miles of designated trails. ORVs may not be operated on public roads except for limited road crossings.

Snowmobiles

Snowmobiles are titled and registered through Michigan SOS:

Snowmobile title: $15.
Snowmobile registration: $30 every 3 years.
Snowmobile trail permit (required to ride state trails): $52 per year.

Snowmobile operators under 17 must complete a snowmobile safety course before operating. Snowmobiles are not allowed on public roads except for crossings.

Trailers

Michigan SOS titles and registers all trailers, including utility, boat, RV, and horse trailers. Trailer registration fees scale with weight:

Trailer ≤ 2,500 pounds: $45 permanent registration (no annual renewal).
Trailer 2,501-9,000 pounds: $45-$135 permanent registration.
Trailer over 9,000 pounds: weight-based annual registration.

Most personal-use trailers in Michigan qualify for permanent registration with a one-time fee — this is one of Michigan's small but meaningful conveniences. The plate stays with the owner permanently.

Recreational vehicles (RVs)

Motor-home RVs in Michigan title and register as motor vehicles. The annual fee is based on the vehicle's MSRP (using the standard passenger-vehicle fee schedule). Class A motor homes typically run $200-$400 per year; Class C run $150-$300. Travel trailers and 5th wheels register as trailers using the trailer fee schedule above (often qualifying for permanent registration).

RVs over 26,000 pounds GVWR may require a Class A non-CDL license; recreational use does not require a CDL. Michigan also issues a special "Land of Lakes" plate option for RV owners who want a recreational-themed plate.

Historic-plate vehicles

Michigan SOS issues Historic Vehicle plates to vehicles 26 model years old or older that are kept primarily for exhibition, club activity, parade, or limited recreational use. The plate carries a one-time fee of $35 (lifetime registration; no annual renewal). Historic-plate vehicles:

Are exempt from annual registration renewal.
Can be driven only for car shows, parades, exhibitions, club events, and limited transit between such events.
Pay the standard title fee at issuance.
Must carry Michigan no-fault insurance, often with reduced "agreed-value" classic-car policies.

Farm-use vehicles

Vehicles used primarily for farming on a Michigan-registered agricultural operation can register under farm-use plates at reduced fees. Farm trucks and farm trailers carry capped weight-based fees and are exempt from the standard MSRP-based fee schedule. The vehicle must be used for farming at least 75% of operating miles to qualify, and the registrant shows proof of the agricultural operation through tax records.

Each specialty registration category has its own form and supporting documentation. Michigan SOS branches do not all process every specialty plate — call ahead to confirm the branch handles the specific transaction. See Michigan vehicle registration for the standard passenger-car process.