How to get dealer plates in Missouri
What Missouri dealer plates cost, the types you can get, how to apply, and the rules on using them. Verified as of July 2026.
MO dealer plates at a glance:
- Issued by
- Missouri DOR Motor Vehicle Bureau
- Cost per plate
- $50 first four, $10.50 each additional
- Requirement
- Active MO motor vehicle dealer license
- Use them for
- Demos, inventory moves, dealership business
- Term
- Calendar year (renews by Dec 31)
Informational only — confirm current fees and rules with the Missouri DOR Motor Vehicle Bureau (Dealer Licensing) before you apply.
DealerVLO tracks your inventory, deals, and paperwork so the plates are the only thing left on your list. $99/month, free to try — no credit card.
What Missouri dealer plates are
Missouri bundles dealer plates into the license economics: $50 covers your first four plates with the dealer application, and additional plates run just $10.50 each for a full year (DOR Form 5690 handles replacements and add-ons). It's one of the cheapest per-plate structures in the country.
Missouri's famous 'D' plates ride on the dealer license — the $150 annual application, the $50,000 bond, and the dealer education seminar come first, and everything renews on the December 31 cycle.
Types of MO dealer plates
For DOR-licensed dealers, on dealership-owned vehicles — demonstrations, transport, and dealership business. First four bundled at $50 with the application; extras $10.50 each per year.
Missouri's dealer-issued temporary permits are what sold vehicles leave on while the buyer's title and registration process.
How to get dealer plates in Missouri
- 1
Get your Missouri dealer license first
Plates require an active DOR motor vehicle dealer license — the $50,000 bond ($100,000 if delivering), the dealer education seminar, and the compliant lot come first.
- 2
Take the four-plate bundle with the application
The $50 plate fee with your application covers your first four dealer plates — enough for most small lots on day one.
- 3
Add plates as the operation grows
Additional plates are $10.50 each for the full year, requested on DOR Form 5690 (which also handles replacements at $8.50 + $9 processing).
- 4
Renew everything by December 31
Missouri dealer licenses and plates run on the calendar year. New dealers renew annually for the first three years, then move to a two-year license.
Rules on using MO dealer plates
- Plates go on dealership-owned vehicles for dealership business — demos, transport, auction runs
- Sold vehicles go home on a dealer-issued temporary permit, not your D plate
- Renew plates and license together by December 31 — a lapsed license invalidates the plates
- Keep the $50,000 bond and your sales records current; documented sales support your license renewal
- Misuse (personal use, lending plates) risks the plates and the dealer license behind them
Common questions
How much are dealer plates in Missouri?+
$50 covers the first four plates with your dealer application, and each additional plate is $10.50 for a full year — among the cheapest in the country. Replacements run $8.50 plus $9 processing via Form 5690.
Who issues Missouri dealer plates?+
The Missouri Department of Revenue's Motor Vehicle Bureau, as part of dealer licensing. Plates are requested with the application and added later with Form 5690.
How many dealer plates can a Missouri dealer get?+
Start with the four-plate bundle and add plates at $10.50 each as needed. Missouri doesn't publish a strict volume-tier cap; keep the count sensible against your inventory and sales.
Can my customer drive home on my Missouri D plate?+
No — Missouri dealers issue temporary permits to buyers at delivery while the title work processes. D plates stay with the dealership's inventory.
When do Missouri dealer plates renew?+
By December 31, on the same calendar-year cycle as the dealer license. New dealers renew annually for three years, after which the DOR issues a two-year license.
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