Plate transfer

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• Can I transfer a plate I own to someone else?

  Plates registered to vehicles you own are only transferrable if you sell your vehicle to an immediate family member. Immediate family is the owner’s: 

  • Spouse 
  • Father, mother, stepparent, mother-in-law, father-in-law 
  • Child or stepchild, daughter-in-law, son-in-law 
  • Sibling or stepsibling, half-sibling, or sister-in-law, brother-in-law 
  • Grandparent 
  • Grandchild or grandchild-in-law 
  • Legal ward 
  • Legally appointed guardian  
    
    It doesn’t include aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 
• If I sell my car, can I let the buyer use my plate?
  • No - immediately remove your plate when you sell the vehicle.  
  • You can transfer the plate to another vehicle you own or purchase later.  
  • Do not let a buyer borrow your plate because you could be responsible for any violations, like parking tickets, the buyer gets with your plate.  
  • Michigan law allows the buyer 3 days to drive the vehicle home in the most direct route without plate. The buyer needs to carry the assigned title and proof of insurance while driving it home. 
• How much will my license plate cost and how are the license plate fees calculated?
  •  License plate fees for 1984 or newer model year passenger vehicles and light trucks are calculated using a percentage of the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) at the time the vehicle is first titled. This is also known as the base price. It is then reduced by a percentage of that registration fee for the following three years. Under the present law, no further reduction is provided. 

  • If the vehicle is older than 1984, the fee is based on the weight of the vehicle. You may contact our Information Center at 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424) and someone will help you figure the fee for your particular vehicle, or visit a Secretary of State branch office for assistance. 
  • Use the Registration fee calculator to calculate your vehicle registration fee.  
  • Use the Plate transfer fee calculator to calculate the cost of transferring a license plate. 
     
    

    Registration fee calculator

    Plate transfer fee calculator