APRIL 5, 2004

East Lansing.  The Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division has discovered a rush by Michigan trucking companies to purchase trailer plates from other states to avoid paying the increase in Michigan plate fees.  Michigan now charges $300 to register a large trailer with a permanent plate, while some other states charge as little as $15 for a multi-year plate.

State law requires Michigan residents and companies to purchase Michigan license plates.  While companies with physical operations in other states are permitted to purchase plates in those states, Motor Carrier officers have discovered a number of trailers that never leave the state are being registered in other states.  Some of these trailers have even failed to pay the required sales taxes.

Officers are staying alert to out-of-state trailer plates and are taking enforcement action on Michigan companies and drivers who are avoiding the increased fees.  Vehicles owned by non-Michigan residents are not subject to the Michigan plate requirement.

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.