License plates for individually owned vehicles, light trucks and motorcycles typically expire on the owner's birthday and not at the end of the month. The Secretary of State usually mails renewal notices 45 days before your plates expire.

To avoid late fees , verify your expiration date by checking your vehicle registration. If you do not receive a renewal notice, you must renew at a Secretary of State office.

The Secretary of State offers five convenient methods of renewing: Online, Telephone, Mail, Self-Service Station and Secretary of State offices.

Your Renewal Options
Select the renewal method that works best for you. Online, telephone and mail renewal services provide convenient alternatives to visiting a Secretary of State office. (If your license plate has expired, you cannot renew online or by telephone.)

You will receive a license plate tab showing the month and year of expiration. Place the tab on your plate as soon as you receive it.

• Motorcycle plates - place the tab in the lower-right corner of the plate.
• All other plates - place the tab in the upper-right corner of the plate.

Renew Online Via the Internet :

• Accessible 24/7
• Accepts Visa, MasterCard or Discover
• Available if your renewal notice has:
        - A personal identification number
        - The correct name, address and vehicle information

Telephone :

• Accessible 24/7
• Accepts Visa, MasterCard or Discover
• Available if your renewal notice has:
        - A personal identification number
        - The correct name, address and vehicle information

Mail :

• Accepts check, money order, Visa, MasterCard or Discover
• Order new plates
• Update your address information on your registration

(Proof of Michigan insurance is required if your renewal notice does not have a personal identification number.)

Self-Service Station :

• Located at PLUS offices, SUPER!Centers and some local government offices
• Available if your renewal notice has:
        - A personal identification number
        - The correct name, address and vehicle information
• Accepts Visa, MasterCard or Discover
• Issues a tab and registration immediately

(Use the Branch Office Locator to find the Self-Service Station nearest to you)

Secretary of State offices :

• Accept cash, check or a money order - PLUS offices and SUPER!Centers also accept Discover and MasterCard. A nominal 2-percent service fee will be charged when using Discover or MasterCard at the counter.
• Order new plates
• Update your address information on your registration

(Proof of Michigan insurance is required if your renewal notice does not have a personal identification number. Use the Branch Office Locator to find the office nearest to you.)