Registering a Car in Missouri

Missouri vehicle registration is processed by the Missouri Department of Revenue through the state's network of 174 fee offices. New residents and recent buyers have 30 days from the title assignment date to title and register a vehicle. Registration also requires a current annual safety inspection certificate, an emissions certificate in the St. Louis metropolitan counties, and a personal property tax receipt for the prior tax year.

Documents required

To register a vehicle in Missouri, bring to any fee office:

• The signed-over title from the seller (or manufacturer's certificate of origin for a new vehicle).
• A current Missouri safety inspection certificate (issued within the last 60 days).
• An emissions inspection certificate if the vehicle is registered in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Franklin, Jefferson, or St. Charles county.
• Proof of Missouri auto insurance meeting the 25/50/25 minimum — see Missouri car insurance.
• Your Missouri driver's license.
• A personal property tax receipt or non-assessment statement from your county collector for the prior tax year.
• Completed Form DOR-108 (Application for Title and License) or Form 1140 for combined title and registration.

Sales tax on the vehicle

Missouri applies 4.225% state sales tax to vehicle purchases plus a local tax that varies by city and county (typical combined rate: 6% to 9.5%). Tax is calculated on the higher of the sale price or the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) trade-in value. Trade-in credit is allowed: a $25,000 purchase with an $8,000 trade-in is taxed on $17,000. Out-of-state purchases by Missouri residents are subject to use tax at the same combined rate, with credit for sales tax already paid to another state.

Title fee, transfer fee, and registration fees

Missouri title and registration fees:

• Title fee: $8.50.
• Title transfer fee: $14.50 (added when the vehicle changes ownership, totaling $23 with the title fee).
• Registration fee: based on horsepower: ranges from $18.25 (under 12 HP) to $51.25 (over 72 HP) for one year, or twice that for a 2-year cycle.
• Title processing fee: $6 administrative fee.
• Plate transfer fee: $5.50 if transferring an existing plate to a different vehicle.

Annual safety inspection

Missouri requires an annual safety inspection for most vehicles before registration or renewal. The inspection is performed by state-licensed mechanics at private shops, gas stations, and auto repair centers across Missouri, costs $12, and includes a check of brakes, steering, suspension, lights, signals, horn, mirrors, glass, wipers, exhaust, and tires. Vehicles less than 5 model years old (or with fewer than 150,000 miles) are exempt from the safety inspection at registration but become subject when the next biennial registration cycle requires renewal.

Metro St. Louis emissions inspection

Vehicles registered in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Franklin, Jefferson, and St. Charles counties must pass a biennial emissions test through the Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program. Newer vehicles use OBD-II testing; older vehicles use a tailpipe test. The emissions inspection is required at every other registration renewal in addition to the annual safety inspection. The combined safety-and-emissions inspection at a Gateway-approved station typically costs $24.

Personal property tax

Missouri counties assess an annual personal property tax on vehicles based on the assessed value as of January 1 each year. The tax is paid to the county collector by December 31, and the resulting receipt (or a non-assessment statement for new residents and first-time owners) is required at registration renewal. The personal property tax is not collected by the DOR — it is a county-level tax that the DOR uses as a clearance check before renewing registrations. Missouri is one of relatively few states that ties registration renewal to property tax compliance.

License plates

Missouri issues two license plates for passenger cars (front and rear) — distinct from Indiana, which issues a single rear plate. Standard plates are issued in a rotating design; current plates feature the Missouri state shield. Specialty plates are available for hundreds of organizations, branches of military service, professions, and special interests, with supplemental fees that route back to the sponsoring entity. Personalized plates cost an additional $15 per year. See the other vehicle registrations page for trailer, motorcycle, and antique plate options.

The 30-day deadline applies to the title transfer; failure to complete the transfer within 30 days results in an $25 late fee for each 30-day period beyond the deadline, capped at $200. Driving on out-of-state plates beyond 30 days of establishing Missouri residency is a Class C misdemeanor. For renewals, see the registration renewal page; for a name correction or address change, see the address and name change page.