Overview
Buying a bike triggers the same title-and-tax process as a car: the $14.50 title cost and sales tax at your home address's combined rate, self-reported at the license office within 30 days. Missouri also requires a valid motorcycle endorsement on your license to ride legally, though that's a licensing matter, not a registration fee.
01 - Official fees
Missouri motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2-wheel motorcycle, 1 year | $8.75 | |
| 2-wheel motorcycle, 2 years | $17.50 | |
| Motortricycle (3-wheel), 1 year | $10.25 | |
| Motortricycle (3-wheel), 2 years | $20.50 | |
| Processing fee | $6.00 / $12.00 | 1-year / 2-year |
| Title fee (new purchase) | $8.50 + $6.00 processing | |
| Sales tax (new purchase) | 4.225% + local | by home address |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your local license office (a contracted agent, not a DOR branch) for titling and registration; your county collector for personal property tax - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Missouri vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Missouri motorcycle fees FAQ
How much does it cost to register a motorcycle in Missouri per year?
$14.75 for a standard two-wheel bike ($8.75 registration + $6 processing), or $16.25 for a motortricycle ($10.25 + $6). A 2-year term costs $29.50 or $32.50 respectively, once.
Do motorcycles pay Missouri's taxable-horsepower fee like cars?
No - motorcycles and motortricycles use their own flat fee schedule set by wheel count, not the horsepower bands passenger vehicles use. It's a simpler, cheaper system across the board.
Is sales tax on a motorcycle the same rate as a car in Missouri?
Yes - the same 4.225% state rate plus your home address's local rate applies, and the same trade-in and 180-day credits are available. There's no motorcycle-specific tax break.
Do motorcycles need a safety inspection in Missouri?
Yes, under the same rules as cars: exempt if the bike is within 10 years of its model year and under 150,000 miles, otherwise a certificate less than 60 days old is required at a change of ownership, and a biennial odd/even schedule applies to same-owner renewals.
How are three-wheeled motorcycles classified for registration?
Missouri calls them motortricycles and registers them at a slightly higher flat rate than standard two-wheel motorcycles - $10.25 versus $8.75 for one year - reflecting the different vehicle class rather than any horsepower calculation.
Are mopeds and scooters registered the same way?
If they're street-legal and titled as motorcycles, yes - same fee schedule. Very small-displacement mopeds that meet Missouri's separate 'motorized bicycle' definition may skip standard titling and registration entirely; check with your license office if you're unsure which category your scooter falls into.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.