How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Missouri in 2025
Missouri operates a comprehensive vehicle registration system with costs determined by vehicle type, horsepower, weight, and location. The state requires both registration fees and separate personal property taxes on vehicles, creating a multi-component cost structure that varies significantly by county and vehicle characteristics.
Base Registration Fees by Vehicle Type
Missouri calculates registration fees using different criteria depending on the vehicle category. Passenger vehicles are charged based on taxable horsepower, while commercial vehicles use weight classifications.
Passenger Vehicle Registration Fees
Missouri determines passenger vehicle registration costs based on the vehicle's taxable horsepower, which is recorded on the title or Application for Missouri Title and Registration. The Missouri Department of Revenue provides a comprehensive fee structure for all vehicle categories.
| Taxable Horsepower | 1-Year Fee | 1-Year Processing Fee | 2-Year Fee | 2-Year Processing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 12 HP or Electric/Low Speed Vehicle | $18.25 | $9.00 | $36.50 | $18.00 |
| 12-23 HP | $21.25 | $9.00 | $42.50 | $18.00 |
| 24-35 HP | $24.25 | $9.00 | $48.50 | $18.00 |
| 36-47 HP | $33.25 | $9.00 | $66.50 | $18.00 |
| 48-59 HP | $39.25 | $9.00 | $78.50 | $18.00 |
| 60-71 HP | $45.25 | $9.00 | $90.50 | $18.00 |
| 72+ HP | $51.25 | $9.00 | $102.50 | $18.00 |
Commercial Vehicle (Truck) Registration Fees
Missouri classifies all pickup trucks and utility-type vehicles as trucks, with fees based on gross weight and usage area. Local usage is defined as within 50 miles of the registered address.
| Gross Weight Plus Load | 1-Year Fee | 1-Year Processing Fee | 2-Year Fee | 2-Year Processing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local 6,000 lbs | $15.75 | $9.00 | $31.50 | $18.00 |
| Local 12,000 lbs | $18.25 | $9.00 | $36.50 | $18.00 |
| Beyond Local 6,000 lbs | $25.75 | $9.00 | $51.50 | $18.00 |
| Beyond Local 12,000 lbs | $38.25 | $9.00 | $76.50 | $18.00 |
| Local 18,000 lbs | $20.75 | $9.00 | $41.50 | $18.00 |
| Beyond Local 18,000 lbs | $63.25 | $9.00 | $126.50 | $18.00 |
| Local 24,000 lbs | $27.75 | $9.00 | $55.50 | $18.00 |
| Beyond Local 24,000 lbs | $100.75 | $9.00 | $201.50 | $18.00 |
Motorcycle and Other Vehicle Registration Fees
| Vehicle Type | 1-Year Fee | 1-Year Processing Fee | 2-Year Fee | 2-Year Processing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Wheel Motorcycle | $8.75 | $9.00 | $17.50 | $18.00 |
| 3-Wheel Motorcycle | $10.25 | $9.00 | $20.50 | $18.00 |
| Recreational Vehicle (RV) | $32.25 | $9.00 | $64.50 | $18.00 |
Trailer Registration Options
Missouri offers flexible trailer registration periods with permanent plates available for non-transferable use.
| Registration Period | Registration Fee | Processing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year (pro-rated) | $7.50 | $9.00 |
| 3-year | $22.50 | $27.00 |
| Permanent | $52.50 | $45.00 |
County Personal Property Taxes
Missouri requires all vehicle owners to pay annual personal property taxes to their county of residence. These taxes are assessed separately from registration fees and represent a significant portion of total vehicle ownership costs.
Personal Property Tax Assessment
Missouri assesses vehicles at 33⅓% of their market value as determined by National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) average trade-in values. Counties then apply local tax rates to the assessed value.
Assessment Formula: Market Value × 33⅓% = Assessed Value Tax Calculation: Assessed Value × (County Tax Rate ÷ 100) = Annual Tax Due
County Tax Rate Variations
Personal property tax rates vary significantly across Missouri's 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. Tax rates typically range from approximately 3% to over 8% of assessed value, creating substantial cost differences between counties.
High Tax Rate Areas
- St. Louis County: Rates often exceed 6% of assessed value
- Jackson County: Includes Kansas City area with variable district rates
- Clay County: Serves Kansas City metropolitan area
Moderate Tax Rate Areas
- Jefferson County: Part of St. Louis metropolitan area
- St. Charles County: Suburban St. Louis area
- Boone County: Includes Columbia
Lower Tax Rate Areas Rural counties typically maintain lower tax rates, though specific rates change annually based on local budget requirements and property valuations.
Personal Property Tax Exemptions
Missouri provides limited exemptions for personal property taxes:
- Historic vehicles: Assessed at 5% of market value
- Farm equipment: Assessed at 12% of market value
- Senior citizens: Various county programs for residents over 62
Mandatory Processing Fees
All Missouri vehicle transactions include standardized processing fees collected statewide.
Standard Processing Fees
| Transaction Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $8.50 |
| Processing fee (all transactions) | $9.00 |
| Electronic transmission fee (if applicable) | $2.00 |
| Temporary permit (30-day) | $5.00 |
Title and Lien Fees
Missouri handles title transactions through the Department of Revenue with separate fees for various title services.
Title Transaction Fees
| Service Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New title | $8.50 |
| Duplicate title | $8.50 |
| Title transfer | $8.50 |
| Lien recording | $8.50 |
| Lien release | $8.50 |
Regional Requirements and Special Fees
Safety and Emissions Inspections
Missouri requires different types of inspections based on vehicle age, location, and mileage.
Safety Inspection Requirements
- Cost: Maximum $12 per inspection
- Required for: Vehicles over 10 years old OR over 150,000 miles
- Frequency: Biennial (even model years in even calendar years, odd model years in odd calendar years)
- Re-inspection: Free if completed within 20 days of initial failure
Emissions Testing Requirements Emissions testing is required only in specific counties with air quality concerns:
Counties Requiring Emissions Testing:
- City of St. Louis
- St. Louis County
- St. Charles County
- Jefferson County
Recent Changes: Franklin County was removed from emissions testing requirements in 2022.
Emissions Testing Details:
- Cost: Maximum $24 per test
- Required for: Most vehicles registered in designated counties
- Exemptions: Electric vehicles, vehicles under 4 years old with less than 12,000 miles in past two years
Sales Tax on Vehicle Purchases
Missouri collects sales tax on vehicle purchases at the time of registration:
| Tax Type | Rate | Application |
|---|---|---|
| State sales tax | 4.225% | All vehicle purchases |
| Local sales tax | Varies by location | Up to additional 4.5% |
| Maximum local sales tax | $725 | Cap on local portion only |
Local sales tax rates are available in the Missouri Motor Vehicle Use Tax Rate Chart.
Important Timing Requirements
Missouri has specific deadlines that affect registration costs:
- Personal property taxes: Due December 31 annually
- Assessment date: January 1 (determines tax liability for entire year)
- New resident requirement: Must register within 30 days of establishing residency
- Vehicle purchase: 30 days to title and register newly purchased vehicles
Personal property taxes must be current before license plates can be issued or renewed, making it essential to budget for both registration fees and property taxes when calculating total vehicle costs.
For current fee schedules and county-specific tax rates, contact your local county collector or visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website.
