Missouri Specialty & Other Vehicle Registrations

Beyond the standard passenger registration, the Missouri Department of Revenue issues separate registrations for trailers, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, antique cars, off-highway machines, and a long list of specialty plates that direct supplemental fees to qualifying organizations across the state.

Motorcycle registration

Missouri motorcycle registration uses the same DOR-108 application as passenger vehicles. The base motorcycle registration fee is $8.75 plus the standard title and processing fees. Motorcycle riders need a Class M endorsement on their Missouri driver's license, which requires:

• Successful completion of a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) basic rider course or the Missouri Highway Patrol motorcycle skills test.
• A motorcycle-specific written exam at any fee office.
• Vision and road sign tests if not recently completed for the standard license.

Liability insurance at the same 25/50/25 minimum applies to motorcycles. Missouri's universal helmet law requires all riders to wear an approved helmet — Missouri is one of about 18 states that retains a universal helmet requirement, although recent legislation softened the rule for riders 26 and older with certain insurance and training conditions.

Trailer registration

Missouri classifies trailers by gross weight and use:

• Trailers 2,000 pounds or less: $7.50 annually, with a $52.50 permanent registration option that eliminates renewal.
• Trailers 2,001 to 6,000 pounds: $14.50 annually.
• Trailers over 6,000 pounds: graduated weight-based fees up to several hundred dollars for heavy commercial trailers.
• Semitrailers: registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP) for interstate operations.
• Boat trailers: registered separately with title.

Missouri issues a single trailer plate that mounts to the rear. Personal-use trailers are not subject to safety inspection; commercial trailers over a certain weight are.

Recreational vehicle (RV) registration

Missouri motor home registration uses the passenger vehicle process with horsepower-based registration fees adjusted for the motor home's weight class. Motor homes over 18,000 pounds use a separate commercial fee schedule. Travel trailers, fifth wheels, and pop-up campers register under the trailer schedule above. Truck campers (slide-ins) register as part of the truck rather than separately.

Antique and historic vehicle plates

A Missouri Historic Vehicle plate is available for vehicles 25 years or older that are used primarily for exhibits, parades, club activities, or limited transportation. The historic plate carries a one-time fee of $25 (no annual renewal) and prohibits the vehicle from being used as a primary daily driver. Restrictions include limited mileage and use only on Sunday or for specific events; insurance carriers offer specialized antique-vehicle policies tied to the historic plate status.

Missouri also offers a Year of Manufacture plate program that allows the owner of a 1980 or older vehicle to display an original Missouri plate from the vehicle's model year. The original plate must be inspected, free of damage, and registered with the DOR before use.

Off-highway and farm vehicles

Missouri titles off-highway vehicles (ATVs, utility task vehicles, snowmobiles) but does not register them for road use. The OHV title fee is $8.50. Some Missouri counties allow registered OHVs on county roads under specific ordinances; check with the county sheriff before riding off-trail. Farm trucks and farm trailers use a reduced-rate registration tied to the farm's gross income; they are restricted to agricultural use within Missouri and a 150-mile radius into adjacent states.

Specialty plates

Missouri operates one of the country's broader specialty plate programs. The DOR offers more than 200 specialty plates supporting nonprofits, universities, military service, professions, and special interests. Specialty plates carry a supplemental fee — typically $15 to $40 above the standard registration fee — that is distributed back to the sponsoring organization. Popular categories include:

• University of Missouri, Mizzou athletics, and Saint Louis University plates.
• Veterans plates for each branch of service plus combat-action veterans plates.
• Conservation plates supporting the Missouri Department of Conservation.
• Children's hospital plates supporting St. Louis Children's Hospital and Cardinal Glennon.
• Sports team plates for the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Kansas City Royals.

Personalized specialty plates cost an additional $15 per year. Specialty plates renew on the same schedule as standard plates, paid through the DOR online portal, by mail, or at a fee office — see the registration renewal page for the renewal channels and the Missouri DOR hub for the full plate catalog.