How long do I have to register a vehicle in Missouri?

Q: How long do I have to register a vehicle in Missouri?

Missouri registration is administered by the Missouri Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing Division . 1. Deadlines - New residents : 30 days from establishing residency (R.S.Mo. § 301.190). - Purchased vehicle : 30 days for title application — $25 late fee + $25 every 30 days , capped at $200 (R.S.Mo. § 301.020). - Personal property tax must be paid prior. 2. Required Documents - Vehicle title (signed assignment from seller). - Application for Title (Form 108) . - Safety inspection certificate (MV-1) — required for vehicles 10+ model years old AND over 150,000 miles (R.S.Mo. § 307.350, as amended 2019). - Emissions certificate for residents of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles counties (biennial OBD-II). - Proof of Missouri insurance : 25/50/25 minimum. - Personal property tax receipt or non-assessment statement from county collector. - Valid Missouri driver license . 3. Fees - Title fee : $8.50. - Registration : $18.25 to $51.25 based on horsepower. - EV fee : $93.75/year (R.S.Mo. § 301.055). - PHEV fee : $46.88/year. - Sales tax : 4.225% state + local (St. Louis: 9.6%+). - Title processing fee : $6 administrative. 4. Penalties - Late title: $25 + $25/30 days , max $200. - Operating without insurance: $10/day fine + 4 license points (R.S.Mo. § 303.025). - Expired plates: $10 to $40 fine depending on duration. 5. Inspections - Safety inspection required only for vehicles >10 model years AND >150,000 miles — biennial. - Emissions (Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program) required biennially in St. Louis metro. 6. Online Renewal Renew at dor.mo.gov/motorv. New titling requires in-person license office visit. This is legal information, not legal advice.

Question

Accepted Answer

Missouri registration is administered by the Missouri Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing Division.

1. Deadlines

New residents: 30 days from establishing residency (R.S.Mo. § 301.190).

Purchased vehicle: 30 days for title application — $25 late fee + $25 every 30 days, capped at $200 (R.S.Mo. § 301.020).

Personal property tax must be paid prior.

2. Required Documents

Vehicle title (signed assignment from seller).

Application for Title (Form 108).

Safety inspection certificate (MV-1) — required for vehicles 10+ model years old AND over 150,000 miles (R.S.Mo. § 307.350, as amended 2019).

Emissions certificate for residents of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles counties (biennial OBD-II).

Proof of Missouri insurance: 25/50/25 minimum.

Personal property tax receipt or non-assessment statement from county collector.

Valid Missouri driver license.

3. Fees

Title fee: $8.50.

Registration: $18.25 to $51.25 based on horsepower.

EV fee: $93.75/year (R.S.Mo. § 301.055).

PHEV fee: $46.88/year.

Sales tax: 4.225% state + local (St. Louis: 9.6%+).

Title processing fee: $6 administrative.

4. Penalties

Late title: $25 + $25/30 days, max $200.

Operating without insurance: $10/day fine + 4 license points (R.S.Mo. § 303.025).

Expired plates: $10 to $40 fine depending on duration.

5. Inspections

Safety inspection required only for vehicles >10 model years AND >150,000 miles — biennial.

Emissions (Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program) required biennially in St. Louis metro.

6. Online Renewal

Renew at dor.mo.gov/motorv. New titling requires in-person license office visit.

This is legal information, not legal advice.