Kansas License Plate Lookup

Performing a Kansas license plate lookup can be a vital step in understanding the history of a vehicle. Information such as purchase history, accident history*, and other pertinent vehicle details may help ensure informed research regarding a vehicle purchase.

Use our Kansas license plate lookup to access a wealth of vehicle-specific information. Our massive vehicle info database leverages multiple government and third-party data sources to build you robust KS vehicle reports. When you perform a KS license plate search, you could find almost everything from vehicle history reports and title checks to vehicle market value, depreciation calculations and more.

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Purpose of license plate lookup

License plate lookups offer significant advantages to buyers, sellers, and vehicle owners.

Vehicle verification

A license plate lookup may help provide insight on the vehicle’s history. For example, a buyer may be able to see if a used car has a clean title or if it has been reported stolen, which can help prevent fraudulent transactions.

Purchase history

This service could reveal past purchases and changes in title, providing buyers with a clear view of the vehicle’s lineage. Knowing how many owners a car has had can impact its value and potential reliability.

Accident history*

License plate lookups may provide details on reported accidents*, helping buyers avoid vehicles that may have hidden damage. This transparency is crucial for assessing the vehicle’s potential safety and worth.

Online lookup services

Several online services facilitate Kansas license plate lookups by providing real-time data and history. Database accuracy is crucial in these services, as the reliability and timeliness of data ensure that users receive the most accurate vehicle information available. Bumper, for example, gathers information from multiple government and third-party sources to generate detailed vehicle history reports. Our database aims to provide detailed insights into title issues, such as flooding or damage due to Kansas’s frequent thunderstorms and tornadoes.

State official websites, such as the Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles, offer their own lookup services. These official platforms tend to provide basic and essential information like registration status, title details, and expiration dates. Data from these sources are generally the most current and legally recognized since they are directly managed by state authorities.

Types of Kansas license plates

Standard plates

Standard plates in Kansas include the Ad Astra Plate and the Dome Plate. The Ad Astra Plate, available for cars, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, and motorbikes, is issued on newly titled vehicles and features Kansas’s state motto, “Ad Astra per Aspera,” meaning “To the Stars”. The Dome Plate, which will be discontinued with the reissuance of the Ad Astra Plate, was issued for vehicles prior to January 1, 2009.

Distinctive plates

Distinctive plates offer vehicle owners the option to support specific causes or express personal interests. Kansas provides several categories of distinctive plates such as military plates, educational institution plates, and organizational plates. Applications for these can be made at local county treasurer’s offices, with specific qualifications outlined in Kansas Statutes Annotated.

Personalized plates

Personalized plates allow vehicle owners to customize their plates with unique alphanumeric combinations. These plates must be ordered through the County Treasurer’s Office, and the design is updated every five years with the next new design set for 2025. The current Ad Astra plates became available for personalization in January 2022. Personalized plate combinations are restricted to one vehicle per combination in the state, and the Department of Motor Vehicles ensures no vulgar or indecent messages are displayed.

Costs for personalized plates include an additional fee of $45.50 on top of regular registration, tag, title fees, and personal property tax. There are specific character limits depending on the vehicle type, with autos and trucks allowing up to 7 characters and motorcycles up to 5 characters.

Registration process

Registering a vehicle in Kansas involves several steps and requirements, particularly for out-of-state vehicles.

Certificate of title and registration

Applications for a certificate of title and registration must be filed through the local county treasurer’s office where the vehicle is garaged. Kansas has 105 county treasurers who manage vehicle registrations, tags, renewals, and titles.

Documentation

To register a vehicle, provide the following:

1. Proof of ownership: If the vehicle is from out-of-state, a VIN inspection by the Kansas Highway Patrol is required. You’ll need a Motor Vehicle Examination (MVE-1) form.
2. Proof of insurance: This should include the effective and expiration date, current date, and a description of the vehicle, including the VIN.
3. Title: The physical title of the vehicle. If the title is held electronically by another state, the current valid registration receipt from that state can serve as proof of ownership. Ensure the lienholder arranges for the title to be surrendered within 60 days to the county motor vehicle office.
4. Sales tax receipt: If sales tax was paid to another state and there is a difference, you must pay the balance.
5. Property tax: Must be paid at the time of registration unless applying for a temporary plate.

Vehicles must be registered within 60 days from the date of purchase to avoid penalties. For new residents, all out-of-state vehicles must undergo a VIN inspection, regardless of previous registration status. Make sure to take the vehicle and its title to a Kansas motor vehicle inspection station first.

Contact your county treasurer’s office or visit the Kansas Highway Patrol’s website for inspection station locations and hours. Take the pink copy of the MVE-1, proof of insurance, and the title to the county treasurer’s motor vehicle office to complete your application for a Kansas title and registration.

Costs and fees associated

Personalized plate fees

Personalized plates in Kansas typically cost $45.50 per plate. This fee is in addition to standard registration fees and must be paid during the application process. This fee won’t be due again for another 5 years.

Standard registration fees

Standard registration fees in Kansas vary depending on the type of vehicle and the length of the registration period chosen. For example, general registration fees for passenger vehicles are dictated by vehicle weight and registration duration, potentially increasing based on additional factors such as lienholder fees or late registration penalties.

These fees help cover administrative costs and ensure that vehicle registrations remain up-to-date, providing necessary funding for state transportation improvements and compliance adherence.

Renewal guidelines

Kansas offers streamlined processes for renewing vehicle registrations.

Renewal methods

Vehicle owners can conveniently renew their registrations online using the official iKan app. The iKan app provides an efficient way to manage various DMV services, including vehicle registration renewal. It allows users to skip the trip to the DMV and handle renewals from the comfort of their homes. The app can be accessed here.

Timelines

Renewal deadlines in Kansas are based on the first letter of the registered vehicle owner’s last name. For example, vehicle tags for last names starting with “A” will need to be renewed by February 28th, while those for last names beginning with “S” will need to be renewed by October 31. A complete schedule can be found online here.

Users must renew their vehicle registrations within the designated period to avoid penalties. Physical proof of liability insurance must accompany the renewal process. Acceptable forms of insurance proof include an insurance card, a binder of insurance valid for 30 days, or a fleet insurance card.

Steps involved

1. Download and access the iKan app or visit the iKan website.
2. Enter the required vehicle and insurance information.
3. Provide proof of liability insurance by uploading a photocopy or entering details from an accepted form of insurance proof.
4. Pay the renewal fees online through the secure iKan portal.
5. Complete the form and submit the application for processing.

Registered vehicle owners can also renew by mail. The proof of insurance must include the beginning and expiration dates of coverage, the year, make, and vehicle identification number of the insured vehicle.

* Bumper reports are based on data available and may not include historical accident records in all states.