To meet Michigan title and registration requirements, you apply for both at the Secretary of State (SOS) within 15 days of buying the vehicle, bringing the signed title, a valid photo ID, and proof of Michigan no-fault insurance. You’ll pay a $15 title fee, 6% use tax on the purchase price, and a registration fee based on the vehicle’s weight and age. Miss the 15-day window and a $15 late fee is added to the title cost.
Documents to Bring to the Secretary of State
Both the buyer and seller sign the Application for Michigan Vehicle Title (Form TR-11L), which asks for the VIN, make, model, year, and your personal information.1Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 257 – Section 257.217 Along with the completed form, bring:
- The signed title from the seller. The assignment section on the back must show the odometer reading, sale price, date, and the seller’s signature. Without a properly assigned title, the SOS won’t process your application.2Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 257 – Section 257.222
- Proof of Michigan no-fault insurance. Your policy must include personal protection, property protection, and residual liability coverage, and it must be active when you apply.3Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 500 – Section 500.3101
- A valid Michigan driver’s license or state ID.
- A lien termination statement from the previous lender if the vehicle was financed and is now paid off.
The most common holdup is a seller who forgot to sign the title assignment. Check that section before you leave the sale. If any document is missing or incomplete, the SOS will send you away to fix it.
What You’ll Pay
The title fee is $15.4State of Michigan. Title Transfer and Vehicle Registration The larger charge is the 6% use tax on the purchase price, due at the window when you title the vehicle. On a $20,000 car, that’s $1,200.
If you traded a vehicle in at a licensed dealer, Michigan lets you subtract the trade-in value from the taxable price, up to $12,000 for motor vehicles in 2026. On a $26,000 purchase with a $12,000 trade-in, you’d owe 6% on $14,000.5State of Michigan. Instructions for Michigan Vehicle Dealers Collecting Sales Tax The trade-in credit does not apply to private sales. In a private-party transaction, you pay 6% on the full agreed price.
Family Transfer Exemption
Transfers between close family members are exempt from the 6% use tax. The exemption covers spouses, parents, children, siblings, stepparents, stepchildren, stepsiblings, half-siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws (including grandparents-in-law), legal wards, and legally appointed guardians.4State of Michigan. Title Transfer and Vehicle Registration Be ready to document the relationship. The Michigan Department of Treasury makes the final call on eligibility, and claiming an exemption you don’t qualify for can bring penalties up to 175% of the tax owed.
Registration Fees
Registration is a separate charge from the title fee and use tax, calculated on the vehicle’s empty weight and age. Heavier and newer vehicles cost more. The SOS collects the registration tax at the same visit as the title fee and use tax.6Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 257 – Section 257.801
Your plate typically expires on your birthday, and the initial fee is prorated to cover the months until that date. If you already have plates on another vehicle you own, you can transfer them to the new one for a $10 fee instead of buying new plates. If the new vehicle’s registration would cost more than what you paid on the old one, expect a small adjustment fee on top of the $10.7Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 257 – Section 257.809
Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Surcharges
Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles pay an annual surcharge on top of the standard registration fee, since they don’t pay the gasoline taxes that fund road maintenance. For light-duty vehicles under 8,000 pounds:
- Fully electric: $267 per year
- Plug-in hybrid: $113 per year
Heavier electric vehicles (over 8,000 pounds) pay $367, and heavier plug-in hybrids pay $183. The surcharge is indexed to Michigan’s motor fuel tax: every one-cent increase in the per-gallon tax above 19 cents adds $5 to the EV surcharge and $2.50 to the plug-in hybrid surcharge.8National Conference of State Legislatures. Special Registration Fees for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
The 15-Day Deadline
You have 15 days from the date of sale to submit your title application. Miss it and you’ll pay a $15 late fee on top of the $15 title fee.4State of Michigan. Title Transfer and Vehicle Registration Dealers get a longer 21-day window to process paperwork on your behalf.1Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 257 – Section 257.217
Driving on an expired or missing registration is a civil infraction that can get you pulled over and ticketed.9Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 257 – Section 257.255 For commercial vehicles the stakes are higher: operating an unregistered commercial vehicle is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
Buying from a Private Seller
In a private sale, the seller fills in the assignment section on the back of the title with the sale price, odometer reading, and date, and both parties sign. That signed title is what you take to the SOS to get a new title in your name.2Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 257 – Section 257.222
Federal law requires an odometer disclosure on most vehicles. If the vehicle is model year 2010 or earlier and at least 10 years have passed since January 1 of that model year, the odometer statement isn’t required. For 2011 and newer models, the exemption doesn’t apply until 20 years have passed. Vehicles with a gross weight rating over 16,000 pounds and non-self-propelled vehicles are also exempt.10eCFR. Part 580 Odometer Disclosure Requirements
If the seller’s title is lost or damaged, they’ll need a duplicate before the sale can go through. The SOS charges $15 for a duplicate title by mail (about 14 days) or $20 for a same-day instant title.11State of Michigan. Title Replacement/Duplicate Never accept a vehicle without a properly assigned title. A bill of sale alone will not get you a Michigan title.
Inherited Vehicles
When the previous owner has died, the transfer path depends on whether the estate is going through probate. If no other property requires probate, a surviving spouse or heir can apply directly for a new title by providing proof of death and a certification that they are the surviving spouse or next heir under Michigan’s inheritance order.12Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 257 – Section 257.236 If the estate is in probate, the personal representative handles the transfer using a certified death certificate, letters of authority from the probate court, and the title application. The SOS may ask for additional documentation, so call ahead to avoid a wasted trip.
Temporary Registration Permits
If you need to drive before you can finish permanent registration, Michigan issues temporary permits valid for 30 or 60 days at your choice.13Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 257 – Section 257.226b The 30-day permit costs one-tenth of the annual registration tax or $20, whichever is greater, plus a $10 service fee.14Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 257 – Section 257.802 You’ll still need proof of ownership (a bill of sale works) and valid Michigan no-fault insurance. A vehicle on a temporary permit cannot be used commercially, meaning no hauling goods or transporting passengers for hire. These permits also work for out-of-state buyers who purchase in Michigan and need to drive the vehicle home.
No Emissions or Safety Inspection
Michigan does not require emissions testing or a general safety inspection for private passenger vehicles. Nothing needs to pass a test before you can title, register, or transfer. The flip side is that no state checkpoint stands between you and a mechanically bad used car, so inspect anything you buy from a private party before handing over the money.