Vehicle registration requirements - Missouri

License plate display

When two license plates are issued, one plate is displayed on the front and one on the rear of the vehicle (applicants for registration for property-carrying vehicles exceeding 12,000 pounds may request two license plates).

Trailers and semitrailers are issued one license plate to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle, either horizontally or vertically, with numbers and letters plainly visible. Trucks, tractors, truck-tractors, and truck-tractors licensed in excess of 12,000 pounds are issued one plate to be displayed on the front of the vehicle, no more than 48 inches above the ground.

International Registration Plan

Missouri is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP). The IRP is a base state system for vehicle registration fees allowing a carrier to apply for vehicle registration and pay fees to a single jurisdiction.

Motor vehicles that qualify for apportionment consist of the following:

• A power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or registered weight in excess of 26,000 pounds;
• A power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
• A unit used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds a GVW or 26,000 pounds.

The following supporting documents are required to obtain an apportioned plate within Missouri:

• Motor carrier application;
• Secretary of State Corporation or Fictitious Name papers, if applicable;
• Title or validated titling receipt;
• Lease agreement, if applicable;
• Heavy highway vehicle tax receipt (IRS-form 2290), if applicable;
• Missouri county personal property tax receipt or tax waiver for the current tax year; and
• Actual miles traveled within each jurisdiction, during the current reporting period, with an apportioned plate regardless of the base jurisdiction.

Temporary permit: Temporary vehicle registration (TVR) is available for carriers; however, a TVR document must be requested before payment for a supplement is processed. Missouri also offers 72-hour IRP and combination IFTA/IRP trip permits.

Hunter's or unladen weight permit: The hunter's unladen weight permit authorizes the movement of a vehicle that was proportionally registered within Missouri for purposes of securing a new lease agreement at the empty weight for up to 30 days in member jurisdictions of the IRP.

Agency: Missouri Department of Transportation, Motor Carrier Services.

Fees: IRP registration fees will vary.