Official fees
Missouri registration fee chart
Under 12 hp
$18.25 / $36.50
1-year / 2-year
12–23 hp
$21.25 / $42.50
24–35 hp
$24.25 / $48.50
36–47 hp
$33.25 / $66.50
typical compact/midsize sedan
48–59 hp
$39.25 / $78.50
60–71 hp
$45.25 / $90.50
typical V6 sedan or pickup
72+ hp
$51.25 / $102.50
Processing fee
$6.00 / $12.00
Alternative fuel decal (battery EV)
$150/yr
plug-in hybrids MY2018+ pay $75/yr
Figures verified July 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.
Step by step
How to register a vehicle in Missouri
- 1
Confirm your vehicle's taxable horsepower - it's on your title paperwork, or your license office can pull it from the VIN.
- 2
Bring your title (or renewal notice), proof of insurance, and a valid safety inspection certificate if your vehicle isn't age/mileage exempt.
- 3
Choose a 1-year or 2-year term at any Missouri license office.
- 4
Pay the horsepower-based fee, the processing fee, and the alternative fuel decal if applicable.
- 5
Display your new plate or sticker; the license office issues it on the spot in most cases.
- Priced by
- Taxable horsepower
- Lowest band
- $18.25/yr (under 12 hp)
- Highest band
- $51.25/yr (72+ hp)
- Processing fee
- $6 (1-yr) / $12 (2-yr)
- EV decal
- +$150/yr
Overview
On top of the horsepower fee, every registration adds a $6 processing fee ($12 if you choose the 2-year option), and electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles add an annual alternative fuel decal - $150 for battery EVs, half that for qualifying plug-in hybrids. Pick your vehicle's band below for the exact total.
Same state, other costs
More Missouri vehicle costs
Common questions
Missouri registration fees FAQ
- How much does it cost to register a car in Missouri?
- Between $24.25 and $57.25 a year depending on taxable horsepower and term: $18.25–$51.25 for the horsepower band plus $6 (1-year) or $12 (2-year) processing. EVs add $150/year; qualifying plug-in hybrids add $75/year.
- What is 'taxable horsepower' and how is it different from my engine's rated hp?
- It's a Missouri-specific calculation - cylinders × bore² × stroke ÷ 2.5 - that predates modern horsepower ratings and almost always comes out lower than the number on your spec sheet. It's fixed to your make/model/year in DOR's system, not something you calculate yourself at the counter.
- Why do electric vehicles pay extra if they're cheap to register by horsepower?
- EVs typically fall in the lowest horsepower band since they have no traditional engine - but Missouri charges a separate $150/year alternative fuel decal to replace the fuel tax an EV owner never pays at the pump. It's billed alongside registration, not instead of it.
- Is Missouri registration cheaper for a 2-year term?
- Per year, yes slightly - the 2-year fee is exactly double the 1-year fee, but you only pay the $12 two-year processing fee once instead of $6 twice a year apart, and you skip a trip to the license office.
- Does my county affect my registration fee?
- No - unlike sales tax, Missouri's registration fee schedule is set entirely by the state and is identical everywhere. Only your vehicle's horsepower band and chosen term change the price.
- Do I need a safety inspection before I can register?
- Only if your vehicle is more than 10 years past its model year and has 150,000+ miles, or if you're a new owner (change of title) on a non-exempt vehicle. Same-owner renewals otherwise follow a biennial odd/even-year schedule tied to your vehicle's model year.
Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.
