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Kansas License Plate Lookup

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License Plate Lookup in Kansas

A Kansas license plate lookup is a search conducted by entering a vehicle's license plate into a search tool. The search results provide information about the vehicle identified by the license plate. Numerous reasons exist for performing a license plate lookup. Apart from establishing who owns a vehicle, it is often used to discover Kansas traffic records and a vehicle's history when a prospective buyer intends to acquire the vehicle with the license plate.

In Kansas, you may perform a license plate lookup online through third-party services or at the State Division of Vehicles. A search done via the Division of Vehicles (DOV) costs a fee, although a few third-party merchants provide the service for free. It is recommended that you visit the Kansas DOV to obtain detailed vehicle information from a license plate lookup. The DOV records are accurate and up to date. However, you cannot always depend on the veracity of information obtained from free third-party search providers, especially if you use a free service. Vehicle details that may be found via a Kansas license plate lookup include:

  • Branded title
  • Accident or damage report
  • Car registration issues
  • Recent vehicle inspections
  • Limited license plate owner information
  • Driver's criminal history
  • Odometer readings
  • Vehicle description

What is a Kansas License Plate?

A Kansas license plate is a number plate issued to a vehicle registered in the state to be affixed on the front or rear of the vehicle. The license plate is helpful for identification purposes and is uniquely assigned to each vehicle. Kansas requires most vehicles to display license plates at the rear of vehicles. No Kansas-registered vehicle may have a number plate attached to the front of the vehicle except:

  • The number plate is registered to a truck tractor.
  • The plate is a model year license plate and is attached to an antique vehicle in accordance with Section 8-172 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated.
  • The plate is a personalized license plate as authorized under Subsection (c) of Section 8-132 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated.

A valid license plate must be secured to the vehicle to which it is assigned at all times so that it does not swing. It must be displayed at the height of not less than 12 inches above the ground, measured from the bottom of such plate, in a place and position that is clearly visible. It must be kept free of foreign materials and in a clearly legible condition at all times.

Kansas license plates are issued by the Department of Revenue through its Division of Vehicles. The Division issues standard and distinctive license plates to motorists. Distinctive license plates include personalized plates, educational institution plates, organizations license plates, military plates, and other special interest plates which support a cause. A personalized plate permits up to 7 letters, numbers, and spaces for automobiles or trucks and up to 5 letters, numbers, and spaces for motorcycles. Symbols are prohibited on personalized plates. Personalized license plates in Kansas are issued for 5-year cycles, with the cycles beginning in a year that ends with zero or five.

The Kansas Division of Vehicles also issues disabled personalized plates to persons with disabilities. All disabled personalized plates issued to motorcycles, trucks, and autos are permitted to have a total of 5 letters, numbers, and spaces. Kansas prohibits the use of vulgar language on personalized plates; hence plates cannot portray offensive words, and acceptability is decided by the Kansas DMV. The current design of the Kansas license plate as issued to new vehicle registrants has a black embossed serial on reflective light blue plate, the top half of state seal screened in white at the bottom right-hand side, and "KANSAS" screened in dark blue at the top center.

Passenger License Plates vs. Commercial License Plates

Kansas issues both passenger and commercial plates. Passenger plates are standard number plates assigned to vehicles registered for private use. This is the most common license plate type in the state. Commercial license plates are issued to commercial vehicles, which Kansas defines as a self-propelled or towed motor vehicle in commerce used for the transportation of passengers or properties when the vehicle has a gross combination weight of a minimum of 10,001 pounds, designed or used to:

  • Transport 15 or more passengers including the driver; or
  • Used to move hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding

A vehicle registered as a farm truck or truck tractor or a vehicle taxed as personal property is not considered a commercial vehicle in Kansas.

To obtain a passenger license plate in Kansas, you only need to apply for a standard license plate. To apply for a commercial license plate, a commercial vehicle owner must complete registration using the Kansas Commercial Vehicle Registration System or at commercial motor vehicle (CMV) locations. You may visit the Kansas Department of Revenue website to download the appropriate forms and access CMV locations and times.

Commercial license plates are distinct from passenger plates. For instance, some commercial license plates in Kansas have the vertical letters "PWR" on the left-hand side of the plates. The PWR identifies the vehicle as an automobile registered as a "power unit". Power units are typically trucks that pull something that cannot power itself.

How Do I Get a License Plate in Kansas?

Kansas vehicles license plates are issued by the Division of Vehicles when the owners have completed the title and registration of the vehicle. Applications for title and registration must be completed through the local county treasurer's office, where the vehicle is garaged. Kansas requires that vehicle registrations be made within 60 days of purchase, the date the title was assigned to a new owner, or the day the bill of sale was completed for antique vehicles.

The following are required when completing a used vehicle title and registration:

  • The vehicle title with the assignment completed to the new owner. The back of the document must contain the purchase price, sale date, odometer reading, and the print and signatures of the seller and buyer's name. The seller may complete a Form TR-41, Power of Attorney, which permits the buyer to complete the assignment. Where more than one owner is stated on the title, their signatures will be required based on the connection between the names:
    • Or - Either person can sign, only one signature is required
    • And - all listed persons are required to sign
    • If no connection list, the connection will default to "and," and all parties must sign
  • The lien on the vehicle, if any. If a lien exists, a lien release is required. A lien can be released on the vehicle title, a notarized lien release, or a letter from the lienholder releasing the lien.
  • A vehicle inspection. This is required if the title for the vehicle was issued from another state or the bill of sale is from an out-of-state owner. Antique vehicles manufactured in 1950 or after then and sold on a bill of sale require inspection. Both title and vehicle must be taken to a Kansas motor vehicle inspection station and examined and a motor vehicle examination (MVE-1) issued before applying for title and registration. The registrant must submit the pink copy of the MVE-1 to the county treasurer's office.
  • Current proof of insurance.
  • Sales tax receipt. This is required if the vehicle was purchased from a dealer; otherwise, sales tax must be paid. If the sales tax was paid to another state and a difference exists, the registrant must pay the difference.
  • Property tax. This fee must be paid during the registration process unless applying for a temporary plate.

The following are required when completing a new vehicle title and registration:

  • Properly signed MSO/MCO (Manufacturer's Statement of Origin or Certificate of Origin). If more than one owner is stated on the MSO/MCO, their signatures will be required based on the connection between the names:
    • Or - either person can sign, only one signature required
    • And - all listed persons must sign
    • If no connection list, the connection will default to "and," and all parties must sign
  • Current proof of insurance
  • Sales tax receipt
  • Property tax

A paper license plate will be issued while your digital license plate is printed and mailed to you within 3 weeks.

For more information on vehicle title and registration, visit the vehicle tags, titles, and registration page of the Kansas Department of Revenue website.

To get a customized or personalized license plate in Kansas, you must:

  • Reside in Kansas or be a member of the military who is not a resident of Kansas but is stationed at a Kansas military office or base.
  • Have a Kansas vehicle title in your name or the name of the lease company for the vehicle to which the customized plate is to be issued.
  • If you want to apply for an antique personalized plate, you must have a vehicle titled an antique.
  • Personalized plates may be issued to vehicles weighing less than 20,000 pounds, including automobiles, motorbikes, and trucks.

To obtain a personalized plate in Kansas:

  • Order a license plate through the motor vehicle office of your local county treasurer. A Personalized Plate Application form TR-715 may be completed and taken along to the application.
  • The completed form may be taken to your local county treasurer's motor vehicle office, together with the appropriate fees, in order to submit an application for the plate.
  • Due to digital plate licensing, you may now order license plates and have them delivered to a registration consecutively. Pre-ordering plates are no longer required.

Kansas permits motorists to check the availability of a proposed personalized plate by using the personalized plate availability tool. Personalized plate applications may take 30 days to arrive after registrations have been completed. Personalized plate fees cost $45.50 and are paid when original applications for the plates are made. Note that additional fees may apply. You can also find the application form for different types of personalized plates on the vehicle forms and publications page of the Kansas Department of Revenue website.

How Can I Find the Owner of a License Plate in Kansas?

You can find a license plate owner in Kansas by conducting a reverse plate lookup. Some of the information obtained from a license plate lookup is considered private, which means finding the contact information about a vehicle owner may remain elusive. Hence, by cross-referencing public information in databases and other sources, you may determine the vehicle's owner's address and mobile phone number via a reverse license plate search. Additionally, you may even be able to access the owner's criminal history, email address, and social media accounts, as well as the vehicle's VIN and registration number connected with that license plate.

Third-party aggregate sites are a reliable alternative for obtaining license plate information. These sites are maintained by independent establishments which collate the information from government-run repositories. Obtaining records from these sites often proves substantially easier than government alternatives. However, requestors may be required to provide any information required to facilitate the record search and pay any required fees to access the record of interest.

Kansas License Plate Renewal

To renew your vehicle license plate in Kansas, you must renew your vehicle registration. You must have received your PIN or access code number from your renewal notice to be eligible to complete a renewal online. If you have not received a PIN or access code, you may renew your vehicle registration by mail or in person at your local county treasurer's motor vehicle office. You may also use the print renewal tool on the Kansas Department of Revenue website to print your renewal notice. Persons who complete renewals online may use Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express credit cards, or electronic check or debit cards to pay applicable property tax and renewal fees. Kansas also requires that your insurance company must be participating with the state Division of Vehicles to verify insurance coverage.

The renewal notice issued to motorists contains information on how to complete the renewal process. Kansas allows motorists to use the iKan app online, iKan on android, and iKan for iOS to complete renewals. The iKan app is the official app of the State of Kansas. It allows motorists to easily renew vehicle registrations quickly from the comfort of the locations. For more information on renewals, visit:

Kansas Department of Revenue
Division of motor vehicles
Zibell Building
300 SW 29th Street
Topeka, KS 66611
Phone: (785) 296-3671
Fax: (785) 296-6851

The mailing address of the Division is:

Titles and Registrations
P.O. Box 2505
Topeka, KS 66601-2505

Can You Look Up License Plates with VIN?

Yes, if you know the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), you may look up the Kansas license plates linked with the VIN. The Division of Vehicles of the Kansas Department of Revenue maintains the record of vehicle registrations in the state, including VINs, license plates, and other vehicle information.

Kansas VIN Number Lookup

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character designation provided by the manufacturer to a particular vehicle. If you know your car's VIN, you can learn a lot about it. A Kansas VIN lookup is a search that employs a tool to find out information about the vehicle associated with the number. To run a VIN search, you'll need the vehicle's identification number. The VIN is usually located in the dashboard's bottom left corner, just in front of the steering wheel. If you glance through the windshield, you may be able to see the number.

The VIN may also be found at other places such as:

  • Front of the car frame
  • Front of the engine block
  • Driver-side doorpost
  • Underneath the spare tire
  • Rear-wheel well
  • Inside the driver-side doorjamb

By performing a VIN lookup, you can obtain information about the vehicle such as:

  • Previous ownership
  • Vehicle maintenance
  • Accident history
  • Liens held on the vehicle
  • Odometer settings

Can Civilians Lookup License Plates in Kansas?

There are no state provisions that prohibit civilians from looking up license plates in Kansas. As a result, interested persons can look up license plates in Kansas through relevant government agencies and third-party websites.

However, the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) (18 U.S.C § 2721) prohibits certain personal information from state motor vehicle records from being publicly accessible. This personal information can only be released for permissible reasons or to eligible entities or persons detailed in the act. 18 U.S.C. 2725(3) defines personal information as any information that identifies an individual. These include and are not limited to an individual's photograph, social security number, driver identification number, name, address, telephone number, and medical or disability information. Additionally, it is unlawful to sell or give away names and addresses obtained from public records under K.S.A. 45-220(c)(2) to solicit the purchase of properties and services.

Therefore, when civilians look up license plates in Kansas, they are typically provided details about the vehicle registered to the license plate. These details include the vehicle’s accident records, repair records, title, and specifications. Personal information about the owner of the vehicle is only accessible by individuals or entities who are permitted under state and federal law to obtain such information.

What Do Police See When They Run Your Plates in Kansas?

Under DPPA, 18 U.S.C. 2721, law enforcement agencies are among the entities that have unfettered access to state motor vehicle records. As a result, when a police officer runs a license plate in Kansas, they may see the license plate’s registrant’s name. They can also conduct a secondary search for the registrant's driver’s license information, especially when the registrant is the person driving the vehicle. Through such searches, the registrant's SSN, date of birth, and address can also be uncovered. The police can also check for any active warrants for the registrant's arrest.

Besides information on the license plate’s registered owner, police may also be able to see the vehicle's information. These include and are not limited to the vehicle’s VIN, manufacturing year, license plate expiration date, and any suspension against the vehicle. The police can also check through their systems and databases to see if the license plate or the car has been reported stolen.

Free License Plate Lookup in Kansas

In Kansas, interested parties can conduct a free license plate lookup online by using various third-party websites. These third-party websites typically offer online resources in the form of search input fields, which users can fill out with the license plate number they wish to look up. Note that the DPPA limits the type of information that are accessible through these websites. As a result, only information on the technical specification of a vehicle and other public records on the vehicle is accessible through these websites. Personally identifiable information on the registrant of the license plate is generally inaccessible through these third-party websites.

How to Search for Ticket by License Plate in Kansas

There is no statewide traffic ticket search system provided by the state government in Kansas. As a result, parties who wish to search for tickets by license plate in Kansas would need to query the municipal court or the district court in the city or county where a ticket was issued to inquire about the ticket. Municipal courts typically preside over tickets issued within a city limit in Kansas. Meanwhile, district courts may be queried for tickets issued by county officers.