Michigan License Plates

KW: Michigan License Plates
License plates are important regardless of where you are driving a car. They offer a valuable means of identification for your vehicle, and are legally required by all states in the United States. Each US state issues independent license plates to a vehicle owner. Therefore, if you have recently shifted states, you must surrender your previous license plates and request for new ones to be issued by your new state.
Michigan license plates are specific to vehicles that are owned and operated within the state. You are required to have a standard license plate issued by the Secretary of State office visible on your vehicle at all times. Failure to do so may result in penalties and a confiscation of your driving privileges. If you have recently purchased a car within the state of Michigan, or have moved to the state from another state, Michigan law grants you a certain period within which you must approach the Secretary of State’s office and obtain Michigan license plates.

These plates are valid for a certain period of time and must be renewed on an annual basis. Typically, license plates expire on the vehicle owner’s birthday as opposed to the end of the month. The Secretary of State’s office maintains a record of your license plates’ validity and issues a reminder for renewal to you 45 days before the expiration date.

There are several different ways to renew your Michigan license plates, which you can choose from depending on your convenience. You can approach the Secretary of State’s local branch office or visit a self-service station housed within some SOS locations. You can also apply for plate renewal via the internet or through their postal service. In each of these cases, a certain fee is charged for processing your application, after which you will be sent a new plate for your vehicle. There are certain conditions attached with these options. For instance, those renewing their license plates via mail must show proof of no-fault insurance, a requirement of the state of Michigan.
Michigan is very strict about its license plate laws. There is no grace period if you miss the deadline to renew, and delays increase the risk of trouble with law enforcement.