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Vehicles in Kansas must be registered with the Department of Revenue. This applies both to owners of new vehicles and to new residents in Kansas.
When you apply for a new plate, you can choose from a range of specialty license plates and personalized styles.
Sample Kansas License Plate
How to Apply for a Driver’s License in Kansas
If you’re a new resident of Kansas, or if you have just purchased a new vehicle, you must register your vehicle at the Department of Revenue (DOR).Types of License Plates in Kansas
When you are applying for a license plate in Kansas, you have the choice between:
Standard License Plates Issued by the State (with a light-blue background, the state’s seal, and dark-blue characters)
Specialized Plates for Organizations, Charities, and Other Associations
Personalized Plates
There are also temporary plates that allow you to drive your vehicle legally while your plates are being processed, or between purchasing a vehicle and driving it to the registration office.
You must register your vehicle within 90 days of moving to the state, or within 60 days of purchasing a new vehicle.
Note: Temporary plates are valid for 60 days and cannot be renewed.
Types of Specialty Plates in Kansas
For some of these specialty Kansas license plates, you may require additional documentation to establish your eligibility. Others may require additional fees that serve as a donation for charitable causes. Here’s a brief list of specialty license plates available in Kansas:Military License Plates
Ex-Prisoners of War License Plates
Vietnam Veterans License Plates
U.S. Military Veterans License Plates
Charitable Organizations License Plates
Children’s Trust Fund License Plates
Breast Cancer Research & Outreach License Plates
Educational or Alumni License Plates
Wichita State University License Plates
Kansas State University Alumni License Plates
Profession License Plates
EMT License Plates
Firefighter License Plates
Personalizing License Plates in Kansas
Kansas allows for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles weighing up to 20,000 lbs to have personalized license plates. Here are a few guidelines to follow for personalizing your Kansas license plate:Must have up to 7 characters (5 characters for disability and motorcycle plates)
Can only use numbers, letters, and spaces (no special characters)
Cannot use vulgar or inappropriate words
The cost for personalized plates in Kansas is $45.50, valid for 5 years. You are still required to pay for additional registration fees and your usual renewal fees.
Receiving License Plates in Kansas
Once you have successfully obtained the license plates for your vehicle, you must place the registration decal on the corner. It must be clearly visible. If it falls off or gets lost, you must replace it right away.Renewing License Plates in Kansas
Kansas makes it quick and easy to renew license plates. You can visit the office in person or renew your license plates online or by mail.You’ll promptly receive a new decal sticker, which you can place over the old one. Don’t forget to renew your registration before the expiration, to avoid any unwanted late fees.
Replacing Lost, Stolen, or Damaged License Plates in Kansas
In the event that your decals or license plates are stolen, you must file a police report right away. When you are applying for a replacement, you will be required to show the police report to the DOR.Here’s what you’ll need for replacing a stolen license plate:
Completed Form TR-211
Copy of Police Report
Vehicle and personal documentation
Payment for applicable fees:
$2 for new license plate*
$0.50 for new decals*
If your plates are damaged, you can bring them in and get them replaced with new ones. You must also fill out the same form for replacing your Kansas license plate.
When to Surrender Kansas License Plates
You may have to surrender your plates if you upgrade to personalized or specialty plates. Also, if you sell or give away your car and no longer need your license plates, you should surrender them to the DOR.You can send them in by mail or deliver them in person. An alternative to surrendering your plates in Kansas is to recycle them, so that they cannot be used again.
How to Transfer License Plates in Kansas
When you purchase a new vehicle, you are permitted to transfer your license plates over. Transferring plates in Kansas is quite simple, and all you need is the following:Vehicle title (same name as previous vehicle)
Application for transfer within 30 days of purchasing the new vehicle
Required documents (proof of insurance, valid ID, registration forms, etc.)
Bill of Sale
Payment for transfer fee: $6.50
How to look up Kansas license plates
If you’re buying a new car or considering personalized license plates, there are a few reasons to look up license plates in Kansas:Check for available plate numbers
Get a report of a vehicle's history
See if a used car is/was stolen
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to look up Kansas License Plates and report bad drivers:
Open a web browser
Go to FindByPlate.com
Enter the plate number, and select state
View the report
View images submitted by the community
View videos submitted by the community
Add comments
Add pictures of the vehicle
Add videos related to the vehicle
Car Ownership in Kansas
Kansas ranks 9 (tied) in the list of states with the highest rates of car ownership.
94.90% of households in Kansas have at least one vehicle.
Kansas ranks 35 (tied) in the US for electric vehicle ownership. About 0.17% of all registered vehicles in Kansas are electric vehicles. California has the most electric vehicles in the US, while Mississippi and North Dakota have the fewest.
Kansas ranks 42 on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Kansas is $374. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Kansas is $1,693 per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kansas have 2 license plates?
You only need one license plate on your vehicle registered in Kansas. The license plate in Kansas goes on the rear of the vehicle.How many characters are on a Kansas license plate?
If you are getting a personalized license plate for your car or truck in Kansas, you can choose up to 7 characters (5 characters for motorcycles and disability plates). You can use a combination of numbers, letters, and spaces, but you cannot use special characters.Is a license plate cover illegal in Kansas?
Yes, it is illegal to place any kind of cover, including a transparent plastic covering, over your license plate in Kansas, as this could affect clear visibility of the license plate.Is Kansas getting new license plates?
The state of Kansas is replacing older embossed license plates that have bumpy tag numbers with new digitally produced license plates that have flat tag numbers. This is because the older plates have reduced reflectivity and are hard to read, especially at night. The Kansas Department of Revenue has said that vehicle owners with older plates will receive a new plate in the mail at no additional cost to them.Do Kansas license plates expire?
Yes, Kansas license plates expire. The vehicle registration must be renewed each year and the license plate should display the current year decal.Can I use my old license plate on my new car in Kansas?
Yes, you’re allowed to transfer your license plate from your old car to your new car in Kansas. You will need to sell or trade your old car within 60 days of buying a new one.Does Kansas require vehicle inspection?
Kansas does not have a mandatory vehicle inspection for non-commercial vehicles. However, certain vehicles may be required to undergo a VIN inspection before they are titled and registered.Do you need proof of insurance to renew tags in Kansas?
You must provide proof of liability insurance while renewing tags in Kansas and also when registering a new vehicle.Can I register a car for someone else in Kansas?
Only the person named on the title can register a vehicle in Kansas. If you are going to register a car for someone else, you will need a Power of Attorney and maybe some additional supporting documents.