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A Kansas vehicle registration connects Kansas residents with the vehicles they own, whether they are leasing the vehicle or they own it. Vehicles include: cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats.

Registering a Vehicle in Kansas

Vehicle registration in Kansas must be completed in person. Kansas residents need to bring their vehicle title, driver’s license, proof of insurance, registration application, and payment for the registration fee.

Depending on whether the vehicle was purchased in or out of state, Kansas residents may also need to have their vehicle inspected and present an examination certificate. Registering a vehicle with the Kansas Department of Revenue is required for all new Kansas residents and all newly-purchased vehicles, whether used or new.

New to Kansas?

New Kansas residents must register their vehicle within 90 days of moving to Kansas. Before applying for a Kansas vehicle registration certificate, residents of Kansas first need to take their vehicle to a motor vehicle inspection station. Exams are conducted by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The inspection involves verifying your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). Sunflower State residents need to bring the following documentation to the inspection:

  • Valid driver’s license.
  • The car’s title
  • Payment for the $20 inspection fee.

Contact the inspection station before visiting for payment information. Some accept cash only; others accept cash, checks, and credit cards.

Upon completion, Kansas residents will be handed a Motor Vehicle Examination Certificate (Form MVE-1). Once this step is complete, Kansas residents are ready to apply for a car registration certificate. Kansas residents need to visit their local county tag office with:

  • Proof of a valid Kansas car insurance policy.
  • Motor Vehicle Examination Certificate (Form MVE-1).
  • The car’s title.

The person named on the title is the only one who can register. If there are two names listed on the title separated by “and/or,” both must be present. If the names are separated by “or,” only one of the persons must be present. If one of the owners cannot be present, the absent owner must provide a Vehicle Power of Attorney (Form TR-41) (original copy only).

If the car title has a lien, instruct the lienholder to fax a copy of it to your county treasurer.

  • A completed Title and Registration Manual Application (Form TR-212a).
  • Payment for registration fees and the personal property tax if required.

A Kansas car registration certificate is valid for 1 year, except for new vehicles. New vehicle registrations are valid from the time of purchase to the time of your required registration/renewal, which is based on the first letter of the resident’s last name. In these cases, the fees will be prorated.

Residents have 60 days from the purchase date to register their vehicle with the Kansas Department of Revenue. Kansas residents who purchase a vehicle from a dealership – new or used – the dealer will submit the vehicle registration papers on the resident’s behalf.

Residents who purchase a vehicle from a private party, need to visit their county treasurer’s office and submit:

  • Proof of a valid KS auto insurance policy.
  • The vehicle’s signed-over title or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.
  • A Motor Vehicle Examination Certificate (Form MVE-1), if the vehicle was purchased out of state or has an out-of-state title.
  • A bill of sale or Kansas sales tax receipt.
  • A completed Title and Registration Manual Application (Form TR-212a).
  • Payment for registration fees

A Kansas car registration certificate is valid for 1 year, except for new vehicle registrations, which are valid from the time residents purchase their new vehicle to the time they’re required to renew their registration, which is based on the first letter of their last name. In these cases, the fee will be prorated.

NOTE: There is no change in KS car registration requirements if the vehicle is a gift. Only when titling the vehicle do special “gifted vehicle requirements” come into effect.

Temporary Kansas Vehicle Registration

KS residents who intend to drive their vehicle before applying for permanent plates may obtain a 60-day permit from their county treasurer. To obtain a temporary Kansas vehicle registration, Sunflower State residents must provide:

  • Proof of a valid KS car insurance policy.
  • The assigned car title.
  • A bill of sale.
  • Payment to cover the $13 fee. Call your county treasurer before visiting for accepted forms of payment.

Temporary 60-day permits cannot be extended, and KS residents are only issued one permit per vehicle.

Kansas residents can transfer the license plates of a vehicle they previously owned, provided that:

  • The plates are current.
  • The name on the current KS vehicle registration certificate remains the same.

If the Kansas resident qualifies, they can visit their country treasurer with:

  • The car’s title.
  • The current KS car registration receipt.
  • The sale date of the vehicle a KS resident is transferring the plates from, along with the name of the buyer.

The vehicle a resident is transferring the license plates from must be sold or traded within 30 days of the purchase date of the new vehicle.

NOTE: The name on the title must match the name on the vehicle registration receipt.

Out-of-State Kansas Residents

Kansas residents who purchase a vehicle while residing temporarily out of state may register their vehicle in Kansas without having to do so in person. To do this, individuals will need to assign someone as Power of Attorney and follow the requirements documented above.

Kansas Vehicle Registration Fees

Kansas vehicle registration fees are based on vehicle type and weight. These are base registration fees. There may be additional fees depending on the county, including an additional $5 in-person fee for motor vehicle transactions. Kansas residents who have questions about their registration fee can contact their local county tag office. The Kansas vehicle registration fees are as follows:

  • Passenger vehicles 4,500 lbs. or less: $42.50.
  • Passenger vehicles more than 4,500 lbs.: $52.25.
  • Motorcycles: $28.25.
  • Mopeds & motorized bicycles: $28.25
  • Vehicle registration late fee: $1 per month.

Obtain a Duplicate Vehicle Registration

If KS residents lose their vehicle registration certificate, they’ll need to replace it sooner than later. A vehicle registration certificate should be carried at all times when driving.

Kansas residents can replace their vehicle registration by, visiting their local county tag office with:

  • A completed Title and Registration Manual Application (Form TR-212a).
  • Payment to cover the $1 duplicate fee.

Vehicle Inspections in Kansas

Any vehicle titled and purchased out of state requires a VIN inspection before it can be registered. Residents of Kansas can take their vehicle to any motor vehicle inspection station and provide the following information:

  • Current driver’s license.
  • Vehicle’s title.
  • Payment to cover the $20 inspection fee. (Call the inspection station for accepted forms of payment.)

Kansas does not require emission inspections.

Motorcycle Registration in Kansas

All Kansas residents must register their motorcycle with the Department of Revenue (DOR) before legal operation on the roadways is allowed.

Whether residents are new to Kansas or current residents who just purchased a bike, residents of Kansas can use this information as a guide to learn about registering their motorcycle in The Sunflower State.

New to Kansas

After moving to Kansas, new residents of KS have 90 days to register their motorcycles. Prior to submitting a registration application, new Kansas residents need to:

  • Have their motorcycle inspected by the Kansas Highway Patrol at an authorized VIN inspection station.
    • Once the inspection is complete, Kansas residents will receive a Motor Vehicle Examination Certificate (Form MVE-1).
  • Purchase KS motorcycle insurance.

Kansas residents can then complete the registration process by providing the following at their local county treasurer’s office:

  • A completed Title and Registration Manual Application (Form TR-212a).
  • Proof of a valid Kansas motorcycle insurance policy
  • Motor Vehicle Examination Certificate (Form MVE-1).
  • The motorcycle’s current out-of-state title.

Kansas residents who do not possess a title because there is a lien, the leasing company will need to send a copy of the title to the resident’s county’s treasurer’s office.

The base motorcycle registration fee is $28.25 PLUS other applicable fees and taxes.

Registering Your Kansas Motorcycle

After buying a motorcycle, Kansas residents have 60 days to register their motorcycle with the KS Department of Revenue. The process for registering a bike will differ depending on whether it was bought it from a dealership OR from a private seller.

Motorcycles from Dealers

When Kansas residents purchase a motorcycle at a Kansas dealership, the dealer will usually handle the registration process. The necessary taxes and registration fees will often be included in the purchase price.

Some dealerships will provide KS residents with temporary plates and registration while they wait for your permanent documents to arrive in the mail. Kansas residents need to make sure they ask the dealership if any additional steps are required on their end. If the dealer doesn’t register the bike, follow the applicable steps for registration below.

Motorcycles from Private Sellers

When Sunflower State residents purchase a motorcycle from a private seller, they must register it by themselves by visiting their local county treasurer’s office and submitting:

  • A completed Title and Registration Manual Application (Form TR-212a).
  • Proof of ownership document:
  • Manufacturer’s certificate of origin (for new bikes).
  • Title signed by the buyer and seller (for used bikes).
  • A bill of sale (if the purchase price is not listed on the current title).
  • Proof of a valid Kansas motorcycle insurance policy.
  • The sales tax receipt (if purchased from a dealership).
  • Payment for the $28.25 base motorcycle registration fee AND any other appropriate fees and taxes.

Motorcycle registrations are valid for 1 year. Registration periods are determined by the 1st letter of the resident’s last name and are assigned on a staggered basis.

Kansas residents who buy a new bike, will have a valid initial registration until the month in which their assigned registration period begins and ends (as opposed to an entire 1 year).

KS Motorcycle Registration Fees & Taxes

Below are the fees and taxes Kansas residents may be required to pay when registering their bike with the Kansas Department of Revenue:

  • Motorcycle registration: $28.25.
  • Late registration fee: $1 every 1 month you’re late.
  • Modernization fee: $4.
  • Highway Patrol staffing and training fee: $2.
  • Law enforcement training surcharge: $1.25.
  • VIN inspection (out-of-state motorcycles): $20 (cash only).
  • Sales tax: 6.5% of the purchase price.
  • County taxes: Varies—call your local county treasurer’s office for specifics.

Kansas Boat Registration and Licensing

All boat registrations are processed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT).

In Kansas, residents of this state need to apply for registration on ANY vessel (including personal watercraft) powered by:

  • Sail.
  • Gasoline.
  • Diesel.
  • Electricity.

Kansas residents do not need to register boats currently registered in another state being used in Kansas for less than 60 consecutive days.

Kansas Vessel Registration and Procedures

In Kansas, residents can register their boat either in person OR by mail. Regardless of which option residents choose, they will need to have the following items:

  • A completed Application for Certificate of Number Kansas Boating Act.
  • Proof of sales tax paid—if residents purchased the boat from:
  • A Kansas dealer: Sales tax receipt OR STD 8 tax form.
    • An out-of-state dealer: Bill of sale indicating sales tax paid.

Sunflower State residents who didn’t pay the tax, can do so at a Kansas county treasurer’s office and include the receipt with their registration application.

  • A private party: KS residents are exempt from paying sales tax but they still need to submit a bill of sale.
  • Payment for the applicable vessel registration fees.

Then, complete the registration process by providing the items above:

  • In person at any of the following locations:
  • Boat registration agency.
    • State Park.
    • KDWPT regional office.
  • By mail to:

KDWP
Operations Office
512 S.E. 25th Ave
Pratt, KS 67214

Residents of Kansas who have additional questions about registering their boat with the KDWPT, can call their boat registration line at (620) 672-5911.

Boat Registration Fees in Kansas

The fees associated with registering a boat with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism are as follows:

  • Original/renewal registration for ALL boats: $42.50.
  • Replacement registration: $2.50.
  • State: 6.5% of the purchase price.
  • Local: Depends on your KS county of residence.

Boat Registration Renewals & Replacements

Boat registrations are valid for 3 years. Approximately 6 weeks before a Kansas resident’s registration expiration date, the KDWPT will mail you a renewal notice. Sunflower State residents can renew their boat’s registration by submitting information about their boat and paying the applicable renewal fees:

Online: Use the KDWPT’s boat renewal portal (you’ll need to create an account).

By phone: (620) 672-5911.

In person: Visit any of the following:

  • Boat registration agency.
  • State park.
  • KDWPT regional office.

By mail: Use the address printed on your renewal notice.

Replacing Lost Registration

Residents of Kansas can replace a damaged or lost boat registration by providing a request in writing and paying the $2.50 replacement fee to the KS Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism:

In person at your nearest:

  • State park.
  • Regional office.

By mail to:

Department of Wildlife and Parks
512 S.E. 25th Ave
Pratt, KS 67214

Kansas Boater Qualifications

According to age restrictions set out by the KDWPT, KS residents may need to take a boater safety education course to operate certain watercraft in Kansas. Sunflower State residents who are:

  • Born on or after January 1, 1989, must complete a safety course to operate a sailboat or motorboat in Kansas.
  • Under 21 years old, must complete an approved boater education course to operate vessels propelled by motors or sails without direct supervision.
  • Under the age of 12 years old, MAY NOT operate a motorized boat without the supervision of someone who’s at least 18 years old, regardless of whether they’ve taken a safety course.

Residents of Kansas can complete the KDWPT’s education requirement and receive their boater safety certificate:

  • Online.
  • In a classroom.
  • With a home-study packet.

Accepted Forms of Payment

  • By mail: Check or money order payable to Division of Vehicles.
  • Online: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card or e-check.
  • In person: Contact the local Kansas DMV office for acceptable forms of payment.

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