You can apply for a license plate in person in Michigan by registering your vehicle at a Secretary of State (SOS) office.

You’ll receive a standard license plate for Michigan, or you can choose from a range of specialty styles.

Sample Michigan License Plate

Types of License Plates in Michigan

Michigan requires you to register your vehicle with the Secretary of State (SOS). You can find offices in each county. Applications must be made in person.

The standard license plate for Michigan has a white and blue background with blue lettering and “Pure Michigan” written across the top. This is the license plate that will be issued to you after registering your vehicle.

Alternatively, you can select a specialized license plate that has a unique design of a local organization, charity, or cause.

If you have a disability, it is possible to obtain disability license plates and placards, which allow you to park in special parking spaces.

All plates, with a few exceptions, can be personalized with a unique set of characters.

Specialty License Plates in Michigan

In Michigan, you can obtain a beautiful ornamental specialty license plate. The following are a few examples of what’s available:

Military License Plates

Spouses of Veterans
Military Veterans
Air Force
Coast Guard
Marine Corp

Registering military plates may require additional fees and documents that prove eligibility.

Charitable License Plates

Awareness for Breast Cancer
Veterans’ Memorial
American Red Cross Initiatives
Food Bank

Typically, the fees for the charitable plates listed above start at $35 to order ($25 will be donated to the organization) and $10 to renew.

Organization License Plates

Fraternal Order of Police
Fireman’s Association
Free Masons of Michigan

These plates require proof of membership along with a $25 fee to register.

You can find a complete list of specialty license plates by contacting an SOS office.

Personalizing License Plates in Michigan

After checking the availability of a plate number, you can apply to get your license plate personalized. These are the guidelines that must be following to have your application approved by the Michigan SOS:

Use only letters, numbers, and spaces
Do not include profanity or inappropriate messages
Stay within the limit of allowable characters

There is a $30 service for personalizing your license plates in addition to the standard registration fees. At renewal, you will be charged an additional $15 for personalized plates.

Applying for License Plates in Michigan

When you buy a new vehicle, you must register and title within 15 days of purchase.

If you have obtained a title certificate for your new vehicle, you are permitted to drive on the roads legally for 3 days. You should register your vehicle with an SOS office in your county within those 3 days.

If you are a new resident in Michigan, you must register your out-of-state vehicle promptly.

Renewing License Plates in Michigan

Before your license plates expire, you can renew your vehicle's registration by paying any required fees online, in person, or by mail.

You’ll receive a new set of validation stickers, which you can place over the old ones on your rear license plate.

Transferring License Plates in Michigan

You are permitted to transfer your license plates under these conditions:

To a new vehicle under your name
To a family member under their name

When you transfer your vehicle, you’ll require the following:

Registration information of the vehicle that the plates are being transferred from
Title for the vehicle that the plates are being transferred to
Completed forms and documents for transfer
Payment for transfer fee: $8

If you sell your vehicle and don’t have a new vehicle to transfer your plates to, you’ll have to surrender your license plates.

Surrendering License Plates in Michigan

You must surrender your license plates in Michigan if you:

Cancel your vehicle’s insurance
Move to a new state or country
Do not transfer plates to a new vehicle or buyer
Upgrade to a custom or personalized license plate

Contact the Michigan SOS to get more details about surrendering your license plates.

Replacement License Plates in Michigan

If your license plates have been lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get replacements from your county’s SOS office. You must apply for replacements in person, and you’ll require the following:

Valid ID (i.e., Michigan driver’s license)
Vehicle’s registration documents
Payment for replacement fees:
- New Plate: $5
- New Stickers: $5

If your plates were damaged, you may have to surrender the damaged plates to the SOS office.

In the event that your license plates were stolen, you should contact the police immediately. Although you are not required to do so, it prevents your previous plates from being abused by criminals.

Summary of Fees for License Plates in Michigan

The following is a summary of fees associated with license plates in the state of Michigan:

Standard Plates:
- Plate fee: These fees are determined by your vehicle’s value or weight; age is also factored in. Contact your Michigan SOS office for more details.
Transfer:
- Transfer fee: $8
Replacement:
- Plate fee: $5
- Sticker fee: $5
Personalized Plate:
- To order: $30
- To renew: $15
Specialized Plates
- Charity Plates
  - To order: $35
  - To renew: $10
- Military Plates
  - Fees vary by plate type
- Historic Plates
  - To order: $30 (valid for 10 years)
- Special Organizations:
  - To order: $25

For the most recent and updated version of these fees, contact your nearest SOS office. The fees listed here should be used for reference purposes only.

Looking Up License Plates in Michigan

It is possible to look up license plates in the state of Michigan to obtain information about a vehicle’s history.

You can also use this to search for available plate numbers if you want to personalize your license plates.

Look up a license plate in Michigan here.

Car Ownership in Michigan

Michigan ranks 37 in the list of states with the highest rates of car ownership.
92.70% of households in Michigan have at least one vehicle. Idaho and Wyoming are tied for first place with 96.20% of households having at least one vehicle. Overall, the national average is 91.70%.
Michigan ranks 30 (tied) in the US for electric vehicle ownership. Approximately 0.21% of all registered vehicles in Michigan are electric vehicles. California has the most electric vehicles (1.61%) and Hawaii has the second highest (1.32%).
Michigan ranks 39 in the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US.
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in Michigan is $2,995.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Michigan is $356.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Michigan stop using 2 license plates?

Michigan stopped using 2 license plates in 1981. Now, the state of Michigan requires only rear license plates.

Does Michigan require front license plates?

Michigan does not require front license plates on passenger vehicles. You only need rear plates on your car or truck. However, you should attach the license plate to the front of a truck tractor or road tractor.

What are the different types of Michigan license plates?

In addition to the standard MI license plates, you can get specialty license plates with a Mackinac Bridge or Water-Winter Wonderland graphic, special cause fundraising license plates where a part of the fee is donated to the cause displayed on the plate, military and veteran plates, special organization plates, personalized license plates that have characters of your choice, and disability license plates. Note that you may need to provide documentation to prove eligibility for some types of Michigan license plates.

Why does it say Pure Michigan on the license plate?

Pure Michigan is an advertising slogan for the State of Michigan to promote it as a tourist destination.

What is a Michigan Y plate?

A Michigan Y plate is a special license plate in Michigan issued to non-profit organizations. It allows these non-profits to use the funds that would have been spent on obtaining license plates for non-profit activities.

How many characters are allowed in a personalized Michigan license plate?

A personalized license plate in Michigan can have 6 or 7 characters depending on the type of plate. You can use the letters A to Z and the numbers 0 to 9. However, the letter O is substituted with the number 0. Special characters and symbols are not permitted. Spaces are allowed but will count as one character.

What is the Michigan law for display of license plates?

The Michigan law for display of license plates is that a registration plate issued to a vehicle should be securely attached, in a horizontal position, to the vehicle at all times, in a way that prevents the plate from swinging. The height of the bottom of the plate should be at least 12 inches from the ground. The plate should be clearly visible at all times and be free of any coverings or materials that fully or partially obscure the registration number of the vehicle. However, it is permitted to attach a bicycle rack, tow ball, or removable hitch to the rear of the vehicle without violating the law.

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