The Michigan Department of State / Secretary of State will never ask people to send money or personal information via text message or QR code. Please contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General for more information on how to identify scams and to file a complaint.
All vehicles and trailers used on Michigan’s roadways must be registered and display a valid license plate with a current registration tab. Your vehicle registration will show your license plate number and vehicle information number (VIN).
Pick from several plate options depending on your eligibility:
First-time cost: $5 (registration and other fees may apply)
Receive a standard Pure Michigan license plate, motorcycle plate, or trailer plate, or order a specialty Mackinac Bridge graphic or Water-Winter Wonderland plate.
First-time cost: $5 plus a $50 Road Fund fee (registration and other fees may apply)
These modern-day replicas are made with the same technology and materials currently used in manufacturing all of Michigan’s license plate types. A portion of each plate order and renewal go into the Road Fund. These funds are earmarked for road construction and repair and will be administered through the Michigan Transportation Fund.
First-time cost: $35 (registration and other fees may apply)
A portion of the funds collected for a special cause license plate are donated to the specific cause displayed on the plate.
First-time cost: $35 (registration and other fees may apply)
A portion of the funds collected for a university license plate are donated to the state university displayed on the plate.
First-time cost: $0 (registration and other fees may apply)
Military service members; veterans; and, in some cases, their family members are eligible for specific service and conflict plates.
First-time cost: Amateur radio plate - $2; Special organization plates - $25
Amateur radio plates may only be ordered by ham radio operators. Special organization plates are available for members of select nonprofit and public service organizations. Regular registration fees may apply when ordering a first-time amateur radio or special organization plate.
First-time cost: University or special cause collector plate fee: $35; All other collector plate fees: $10
Michigan offers many of its license plates for purchase as collector, souvenir, and sample license plates. The plates look like regular license plates but are for display purposes only and aren’t for vehicle registration.
First-time cost: Historical plate - $30; Authentic plate - $35
Vehicles that are at least 26 years old; owned solely as a collector’s item; and used only for events such as historical club activities, parades, and car shows may qualify for an historical or authentic license plate.
Vehicles with historical or authentic plates cannot be used for routine, day-to-day transportation except for the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when they can be driven at any time.
First-time cost: $0 (registration and other fees may apply)
Residents who qualify may apply for a disability license plate, which includes an insignia indicating that the vehicle owner is legally allowed to park in spaces reserved for residents with a disability.
Farm, gross vehicle weight (GVW), log, fleet, and other commercial vehicle license plates can be applied for and, in some cases, are required to be renewed at a Secretary of State office.
The Department has two types of commercial plates:
Regular commercial plates for:
Elected Gross Vehicle Weight GVW plates:
The Michigan Department of State does not sell, administer, or profit from digital license plates. They are legal in Michigan but only sold by private companies and auto dealers. Digital plates serve as representations of the standard metal license plates that vehicle owners must register and renew with the Secretary of State.
Please note: Michigan is discontinuing its current digital plate option. As of August 9, 2026, owners of existing digital plates will need to replace them with standard metal license plates.
At the time of purchasing a license plate for your vehicle, you will also be charged for the registration fees for the vehicle.
Vehicle registration fees are set by state law and calculated using a formula based on:
The fee is then reduced by a percentage of that original 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.
If you’re transferring a vehicle title into your name, 6% sales tax is also collected when you complete the transfer and register your vehicle.
Use the Registration Fee Calculator under Online Services to calculate registration fees for your vehicle.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Recreation Passport gets you into all state parks, recreation areas, and boat launches.
A Recreation Passport can be added to your vehicle registration at any time. The cost is:
More information on Recreation Passports is available through the DNR.
When renewing your vehicle registration, remember that:
If you lose or damage your license plate, tab, or vehicle registration, you can order a replacement.
Before ordering a replacement or duplicate, check to make sure that the address on your vehicle registration is correct and up to date.
Before a name on a vehicle registration can be changed, it must first be corrected on the vehicle’s title.
You can transfer a plate from a vehicle that’s already titled and registered in your name to another vehicle titled in your name, or when selling your vehicle to an immediate family member.
To transfer a license plate, visit a Secretary of State office and provide the following:
Proof of insurance isn’t required when transferring a license plate unless you changed insurance companies since your last license plate renewal.
NOTE: License plates can’t be transferred to non-family members. If you’re selling a vehicle in a private sale, you will need to remove your license plate before completing a private sale.
Additional registration fee may be due when transferring a plate registered in your name to a vehicle titled in your name.
