License Plates & Placards in Wyoming

SUMMARY: Wyoming License Plates

You must have valid license plates to operate your vehicle on Wyoming's public roads. You can apply for license plates when you register your vehicle, which you must do when you move to WY or buy a car. To renew your tags, you'll renew your registration and get a new expiration sticker. If you get a new car, you can transfer your plates when you register it. If your license plate or validation stickers are lost, stolen, or damaged you can get replacement license plates from your county treasurer's office.

Continue reading this page to learn more about license plates from the Wyoming Department of Transportation (DOT).

Find detailed information about personalized plates and other special tags on our pages Types of Special WY Plates and Applying for Special Plates.

Learn more about disabled parking plates and placards on our Disability Placards & Plates page.

Types of Wyoming License Plates

You will be required to register any vehicle that will operate on Wyoming's highways.

The state requires 2 license plates for most cars, trucks, and vans. Vehicles such as motorcycles and trailers only need 1 license plate. Your county treasurer will issue the correct number of plates for your vehicle.

You are also required to:

  • Have a validation sticker on your rear plate.
    AND
  • Carry a copy of your registration and be able to produce it on demand at the request of law enforcement.

In addition to your standard plates, the WY DOT offers a range of special license plates and personalized plates. For more information, see our Types of Specialty Plates and Specialty Plate Application pages.

Disabled parking plates are also available to those with a qualifying disability. Visit our disability plates page for application information, parking rules, and other details.

Temporary Tags

A licensed dealer can issue you temporary tags, which are valid for up to 45 days and allow you to operate your vehicle while waiting for your WY license plates.

If you purchase a vehicle in a private sale, you have 45 days to register your vehicle. You can operate it while waiting for your plates as long as you have transferred the vehicle title.

Apply for WY License Plates

To apply for license plates in Wyoming, you'll just need to register your vehicle.

You must register:

  • Within 45 days when you purchase a vehicle from a dealer.
  • Within 45 days when you purchase a vehicle in a private sale.
    OR
  • As soon as you become a Wyoming resident.

Complete information is available on our Wyoming vehicle registration page.

Renew Wyoming License Plates

To renew your Wyoming license plates, you must renew your vehicle registration.

You should receive a renewal notice from your local county treasurer's office before your validation sticker expires.

Visit our registration renewal page for more details.

Replace License Plates & Stickers

If your license plate or validation stickers are lost, stolen, or mutilated, you can order duplicates from your county treasurer's office.

You may have to complete a Application for New or Duplicate License Plates (Form MV-405) and document the loss, theft, or mutilation, and be prepared pay a replacement fee of $8. If you wish to keep the same plate numbers and letter you will have to pay $30 for the license plate to be duplicated.

For more information, contact your WY county treasurer's office.

Transfer or Surrender WY Tags

When you sell a vehicle, the registration will immediately expire and you will have to remove the license plates from the vehicle.

You can either:

  • Transfer the plates to a new vehicle within 45 days of purchase.
    OR
  • Surrender the plates. Contact your county treasurer's office for more information.

To transfer your license plates, you must:

  • Register the new vehicle and indicate that you are transferring plates.
  • Pay the registration fee for your new vehicle. You will be credited for the unused portion of your old registration.

NOTE: If you are transferring the car to a family member or to a joint owner, you can use the original plates until they expire, then surrender them for new plates.

Fees for WY License Plates

License plates are issued by Wyoming county treasurer's offices and are part of your vehicle registration.

Contact your local WY DOT office for fee information, as this may vary depending on your county.

Search for License Plates

The Wyoming DOT offers an online license plate search for available personalized license plate letter and number combinations.

You CANNOT however, look up license plates or search for the registered owner of a vehicle by license plate number.

If you have a concern about a vehicle, contact your local law enforcement. The police can run a license plate and contact the vehicle owner.

For more information about a vehicle's history, you can use its vehicle identification number (VIN) to order a vehicle history report.

Forms

MV-405
Application for New or Duplicate License Plates
Complete this WY DOT form to apply for new OR duplicate license plates.
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