How Much to Register a Car in Michigan
Fees for License Plates, Registrations and Titles
Fees for License Plates, Registrations and Titles
This page contains commonly requested information regarding vehicle registration and title fees. The information provides an overview and does not cover every affected transaction.
Please contact the Department of State Information Center at 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424) with any questions.
Vehicle Registrations
For model years 1984 and newer, the vehicle registration is based on the manufacturer's suggested retail (or base) price (ad valorem). Registrations for models 1983 or older are based on the vehicle's weight.
Vehicle Registration Renewals
The full 12-month registration fee is due even if the plate has expired. If a vehicle registration is expired longer than six months, a 24-month renewal fee is charged, extending the registration until the following expiration date.
License plates that are at least 10 years old must be replaced when renewed or renewed/transferred. A $5 plate replacement fee is due in addition to the renewal fee. Veteran plates, Gold Star plates, fundraising plates (university and special cause), and special organization plates are exempt.
Due to the discontinuation of the Spectacular Peninsulas plate, current Spectacular Peninsulas plates requiring to be replaced and renewed through the mail or self service kiosk will be replaced with the Mackinac Bridge plate.
Please note: If a license plate expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the expiration date is extended to the next business day before a $10 late fee is assessed.
| Vehicle Registration - Other Fees | Fee |
|---|---|
| Vehicle registration renewal late fee | $10 |
| Vehicle registration transfer | $15 |
| Vehicle Title Fees | Fee |
|---|---|
| Vehicle title | $15 |
| Instant title Expeditious title service is available at all Secretary of State branch offices for most vehicle transactions. | $20 |
| Vehicle title late fee | $15 |
| Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle fee (empty weight 8,000 pounds or less) | $47 |
| Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle fee (empty weight more than 8,000 pounds) | $117 |
| Electric vehicle registration fee (empty weight of 8,000 pounds or less) | $135 |
| Electric vehicle registration fee (empty weight of more than 8,000 pounds) | $235 |
| Salvage title | $15 |
| Scrap title | $20 |
| Adding/removing a lien | $1 |
| Temporary Registration Permits | Fee |
|---|---|
| The 30-day permit fee is one-tenth (1/10) of the annual registration fee or $20, whichever is greater, plus a $10 service fee. | Varies |
| The 60-day permit fee is one-fifth (1/5) of the annual registration fee or $40, whichever is greater, plus a $10 service fee. | Varies |
| License Plate Fees | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard license plate | Standard registration fee only |
| Standard license plate replacement If a vehicle owner chooses to replace a specialty plate with the standard plate | $5 |
| Mackinac Bridge license plate The $5 fee is also due if an owner elects to replace a standard plate or specialty plate with a Mackinac Bridge plate. | $5 plus standard registration fee |
| Water-Winter Wonderland license plate The $5 fee is also due if an owner elects to replace a standard plate or specialty plate with a Water-Winter Wonderland plate. | $5 plus standard registration fee |
| Replacement license plate and tab | $5 |
| Replacement tab only | $5 |
| Vehicle registration - duplicate | No fee |
| University license plate | $35 plus standard registration fee |
| University license plate renewal fee | $10 plus standard registration fee |
| Special Cause license plate | $35 plus standard registration fee |
| Special Cause license plate renewal fee | $10 plus standard registration fee |
| Patriotic license plate | $35 plus standard registration fee |
| Patriotic license plate renewal fee | $10 plus standard registration fee |
| Personalized license plate $30 for 12 months or prorated plus standard registration fee | $30 plus standard registration fee |
| Personalized license plate renewal fee | $15 plus standard registration fee |
| Disability license plate No additional charge, standard registration fee only | Standard registration fee only |
| Recreational Vehicles and Watercraft Fees | Fee |
|---|---|
| Snowmobile registration - original and renewal (3-year decal) | $30 |
| Snowmobile registration (historic) - original (non-expiring decal) | $50 |
| Snowmobile decal - replacement | $5 |
| Snowmobile registration - duplicate | $5 |
| Moped registration - original and renewal (3-year decal) | $15 |
| Moped registration - transfer | $10 plus renewal fee, if any |
| Moped decal - replacement | $2 |
| Moped registration - duplicate | $2 |
| Off-road vehicle title | $11 |
| Watercraft title | $5 |
| Watercraft instant title Expeditious title service is available at all Secretary of State branch offices for most vehicle transactions. | $10 |
| Watercraft transfer | $2 plus renewal fee, if any |
| Watercraft decal - replacement | $2 |
| Watercraft registration - duplicate | $2 |
| Non-motorized sailboats - original and 3-year renewal | $9 |
| Non-motorized canoes and kayaks used commercially - original and 3-year renewal | $5 |
| Motorboats less than 12 feet and motorized canoes (all sizes) - original and 3-year renewal | $14 |
| Motorboats 12 feet or more but less than 16 feet - original and 3-year renewal | $17 |
| Motorboats 16 feet or more but less than 21 feet - original and 3-year renewal | $42 |
| Motorboats 21 feet or more but less than 28 feet - original and 3-year renewal | $115 |
| Motorboats 28 feet or more but less than 35 feet - original and 3-year renewal | $168 |
| Motorboats 35 feet or more but less than 42 feet - original and 3-year renewal | $244 |
| Motorboats 42 feet or more but less than 50 feet - original and 3-year renewal | $280 |
| Motorboats 50 feet or more - original and 3-year renewal | $448 |
| Pontoon boats (regardless of size) - original and 3-year renewal | $23 |
| Commercial fishing vessels licensed in Michigan (no sport trollers) - original and 3-year renewal | $15 |
| Trailer and Trailer Coach Plate Fees | Fee |
|---|---|
| Trailers and trailer coaches - 0 to 2,499 pounds | $75 |
| Trailers and trailer coaches - 2,500 to 9,999 pounds | $200 |
| Trailers and trailer coaches - 10,000 pounds or more | $300 |
| Trailer plate - replacement | $5 |
| Trailer or trailer coach title | $15 |
| Other Title Fees | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mobile home title | $90 |
| Mobile home title - correction | $15 |
| Mobile home title - duplicate | $15 |
| Mobile home - affidavit of affixture | $90 |
| Mobile home - affidavit of detachment | No fee |
How Much to Register a Car in Michigan
Source: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-96435-75432--,00.html