Purchasing a vehicle is an exciting experience, but it also comes with administrative responsibilities. In Missouri, you have a 30-day window from the purchase date to title your newly acquired vehicle and pay the relevant sales tax. Failing to title within this period incurs a penalty, starting at $25 on the 31st day and increasing by $25 every 30 days of delay, up to a maximum of $200.
Upon buying your vehicle, you have immediate options for legal operation: obtaining a temporary permit, transferring existing license plates, or purchasing new license plates. To help you estimate the financial aspects, Missouri provides an online sales tax calculator to determine potential taxes and fees.
Obtaining a Temporary Permit in Missouri
If you’ve just purchased a car, trailer, or motorcycle and don’t have plates to transfer, a temporary permit allows you to legally operate the vehicle immediately. It’s important to note that Missouri dealerships can only issue these permits to out-of-state residents if they are buying from that specific dealership.
- Duration: Temporary permits are valid for 30 days from the purchase date.
- Extended Permits: Under certain conditions, some authorized dealers can issue 60-day permits.
- Single Permit Only: Only one temporary permit is allowed per vehicle.
- Permit Validity: Once you’ve applied for the vehicle title, the temporary permit is no longer valid and cannot be purchased.
- Exclusion: Temporary permits are not available for junk vehicles.
- Permit Return: Upon receiving your permanent registration plates, the temporary permit must be returned to the Department of Revenue or its agent.
To get a temporary permit, visit any Missouri license office and bring the following:
Fees to Pay:
- $5 permit fee
- $6 processing fee (if processed at a license office)
The temporary permit must be clearly displayed at the rear of your vehicle, trailer, or motorcycle, in the same manner as regular license plates, ensuring it is visible and not obstructed.
Transferring Your License Plates in Missouri
Missouri offers a registration credit for vehicle-to-vehicle transfers in many cases. In some specific scenarios, you can even transfer your existing license plates to your new vehicle, eliminating the need for new ones.
Important Note: When a vehicle changes ownership completely, the seller cannot transfer their license plates to the buyer, and the purchaser cannot use them.
If you decide to transfer your license plates from your previous vehicle to your newly purchased one, please visit a Missouri license office with these items:
Note: If your vehicle title was issued by another state or country, you might need to provide separate proof of an Identification Number/Odometer Reading Inspection (ID/OD). A current safety inspection can also satisfy this requirement.
Fees to Pay:
- State sales tax (4.225%) plus local sales tax on the purchase price, minus any trade-in allowance.
- $8.50 title fee
- $2 transfer fee
- Registration (license plate) fees, based on taxable horsepower or vehicle weight (if you renew registration during the transfer).
- Additional fees for increased horsepower, if applicable.
- $6 title processing fee
- $6 registration processing fee (for the transfer)
- $6 registration processing fee for one-year registration, or $12 for two-year registration, if applicable.
Estimate Your Taxes & Fees: Sales Tax Calculator
Note: If you purchased your vehicle from an out-of-state dealer and included a trade-in, you must provide proof of the trade-in to get a tax credit in Missouri. Acceptable proof includes:
- A copy of the front and back of the title assigned from the owner to the dealer for the trade-in vehicle.
- A copy of the Secure Power of Attorney for the trade-in vehicle (if a lienholder holds the title or a duplicate title is needed).
The trade-in amount should be documented on the title assignment or the dealer invoice. If you are unsure about your transfer options, consult with a clerk at any Missouri license office or Ask Motor Vehicle!.
Buying New License Plates in Missouri
For those who prefer or need to purchase new license plates for their vehicle, you will need to visit a Missouri license office and bring the following:
Note: Similar to plate transfers, you may need to provide proof of an Identification Number/Odometer Reading Inspection (ID/OD) if the vehicle title is from another state or country. A current safety inspection is also acceptable.
Fees You Will Pay:
- State sales tax (4.225%) plus local sales tax on the purchase price, minus any trade-in allowance.
- $8.50 title fee
- Registration (license plate) fees, based on taxable horsepower or vehicle weight.
- $6 title processing fee
- $6 registration processing fee for a one-year registration or $12 registration processing fee for a two-year registration.
Estimate Your Taxes & Fees: Sales Tax Calculator
Note: If you traded in a vehicle to an out-of-state dealer, remember to bring proof of the trade-in (title copies or Secure Power of Attorney) to receive your tax credit in Missouri. The trade-in value should be on the title assignment or dealer invoice.
Payment Methods at Missouri License Offices
Missouri offers several convenient payment methods: cash, personal check, cashier’s check, money order, and credit or debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover).
For personal checks, ensure they are made out to the Missouri Department of Revenue and are preprinted with your name, address, bank code, and account number. You must also include:
- Your driver’s license or non-driver’s license number
- Date of birth
- Daytime phone number
The Missouri Department of Revenue has the option to electronically resubmit checks returned for insufficient funds.
Credit/Debit Card Transactions: A “convenience fee” of 2.0% + $0.25 per transaction is applied by the card vendor for credit and debit card payments.
Avoid Curbstoning When Buying a Used Car
Be cautious of curbstoning, an illegal practice where unlicensed dealers pose as private sellers to avoid regulations. These sellers often offload damaged, unsafe, or uninsurable vehicles, leaving buyers with significant problems and no recourse once the seller disappears with the money. Curbstoning is illegal in many states and defrauds countless consumers annually.
To report suspected curbstoning activity to the Department of Revenue, submit a Complaint (Form 4683).
Utilize the New Auto Recall Search Tool
A new tool has been launched to enhance consumer awareness of auto recalls. This tool allows commercial and governmental entities (like state DMVs, insurers, dealers, and fleet managers) to quickly check for open recalls on numerous vehicles at once, free of charge. Available at freeautorecallsearch.org, it’s a partnership between major auto manufacturers and Carfax. Authorized users can search up to 10,000 vehicles at a time and receive results in seconds. This initiative aims to increase recall participation, as current data indicates over 57 million vehicles in the U.S. have unaddressed recalls, despite free remedies being available. Read more about the recall tool here.
This comprehensive guide should assist you in navigating the process of buying and registering your vehicle in Missouri. For further assistance or specific questions, please visit a local Missouri license office for direct support.
