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updateUpdated 2026-10-11

Kansas License Plate Lookup

Get the full NHTSA vehicle report for any Kansas plate — make, model, year, recalls, and crash safety ratings — free with no signup. Vehicle data only.

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KANSAS123 ABC

2.5M

Registered Vehicles

Kansas (FHWA)

Since 1913

Kansas Department of Revenue

123 ABC

Kansas DMV License Plate Quick Facts

Agency	Kansas Department of Revenue — Division of Vehicles
Issuance year	1913
Current format	123 ABC — Seven characters on the current 'Kansas' wheat-field design: three digits, a space, and three letters. Kansas is a single-plate (rear-only) state.
Plates required	One (rear only)
Replacement fee	$2.50
Registration validity	1 year
Registered vehicles	2.5M (approx.)
DMV contact	1-785-296-3621 · www.ksrevenue.gov/dovindex.html

How do I look up a Kansas license plate?

Need a Kansas DMV license plate lookup-style vehicle report? Use the KS license plate lookup tool above — same NHTSA data, no DMV trip required.

1
Enter the Kansas license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm KS is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
3
Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.

Run a KS plate lookuparrow_forward

What does a Kansas license plate lookup reveal?

Every kansas license plate lookup on this page returns NHTSA vehicle data instantly. Driver and registered-owner personal information is protected under the DPPA's 1994 federal restrictions and is not part of any free vehicle report.

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DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This Kansas license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.

Free — available here

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Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.

What does a Kansas license plate format look like?

Seven characters on the current 'Kansas' wheat-field design: three digits, a space, and three letters. Kansas is a single-plate (rear-only) state. A free Kansas license plate lookup also works on legacy plate formats listed in the table below.

KANSAS123 ABC

Kansas license plate formats through the years

Era	Format	Example
1913–1950	Sequential numeric / county-prefixed	12-3456
1951–1975	County-coded alphanumeric (county abbreviation prefix)	AB-1234
1976–1988	3 letters + 3 digits ('Wheat State', red/yellow)	ABC 123
1989–2007	3 letters + 3 digits ('Midway USA' / sunflower)	ABC 123
2007–2018	3 digits + 3 letters ('Kansas' bridge design)	123 ABC
2019–present	3 digits + 3 letters (refreshed wheat-field design)	123 ABC

Kansas license plate laws you should know

Below are the four laws that most often trip up Kansas drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.

Single plate state

Kansas is a single-plate state. K.S.A. § 8-133 requires every registered passenger vehicle to display only one license plate, on the rear of the vehicle. Decorative front plates are permitted.

Front plate rule

No front plate is required or issued for passenger vehicles in Kansas. Drivers may legally display decorative front plates as long as they do not obstruct visibility or imitate official plates.

Registration stickers & display

Kansas issues a registration decal affixed to the upper-right corner of the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Registration is renewed annually based on the first letter of the owner's last name (staggered alphabetically).

Inspection / smog check

Kansas does NOT require statewide emissions testing or safety inspections for passenger vehicles. The state has no I/M program.

Types of Kansas license plates

Kansas issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.

Standard Kansas / Wheat Field

Default rear-only plate with the iconic Kansas wheat-field design issued in the 123 ABC format.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 7 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds. $45.50 initial + $40/year through Kansas DOV.

Disabled / Disabled Veteran

ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking statewide. DV plates carry waived fees for qualifying veterans.

Military specialty

Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, POW, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Gold Star Family, and branch-specific plates.

Special interest

KU Jayhawks, K-State Wildcats, Wichita State Shockers, In God We Trust, Wildlife & Parks, and dozens of cause plates.

Antique Vehicle

For vehicles 35+ years old used primarily for exhibitions, parades, and club events. Restricted to occasional use.

How much does a Kansas license plate cost?

Typical Kansas DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.

Annual registration (passenger, varies by weight)	$30–$60
Property tax (annual)	Based on vehicle value × county mill rate (collected at registration)
Replacement plate	$2.50
Personalized plate (initial)	$45.50
Personalized plate (annual)	$40
Title fee	$10

Source: Kansas Department of Revenue — Division of Vehicles — https://www.ksrevenue.gov/dovindex.html

What if my Kansas plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a Kansas license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.

1
File a police report immediately if the plate was stolen.
2
Visit your local County Treasurer's office (registration is handled at the county level in Kansas).
3
Complete the Application for Replacement (Form TR-219) with vehicle information.
4
Pay the $2.50 replacement fee plus any county-specific charges.
5
Most County Treasurer offices issue replacement plates on the spot.

Kansas DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

Kansas Department of Revenue — Division of Vehicles

call1-785-296-3621

languagewww.ksrevenue.gov/dovindex.html

DPPA privacy notice

Personal information tied to a Kansas license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Kansas license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.

How do I run a Kansas license plate lookup?expand_more

Enter any Kansas plate in the search field above and press Check Plate. You'll get the vehicle's make, model, year, trim, open NHTSA recalls, and crash ratings — free, no signup required.

Does Kansas require a front license plate?expand_more

No. Kansas is a single-plate state under K.S.A. § 8-133. Only one plate is issued and required, displayed on the rear of the vehicle. Decorative front plates are legal.

How much does a replacement Kansas plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $2.50 plus any county-specific charges. Replacements are processed at your local County Treasurer's office using Form TR-219.

What is the current Kansas license plate format?expand_more

The standard Kansas passenger plate uses a 7-character format: three digits, a space, and three letters (e.g., 123 ABC) on the iconic wheat-field design.

Are Kansas license plate records public?expand_more

No. Owner information tied to a Kansas plate is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and K.S.A. § 74-2012. Free lookups return only vehicle-level data.

Does Kansas require emissions testing or inspections?expand_more

No. Kansas does not require statewide emissions testing or safety inspections for passenger vehicles. It's one of the states without an I/M program.

How do I get a personalized Kansas plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are ordered through your County Treasurer or at ksrevenue.gov for $45.50 initial fee and $40 annual renewal. Up to 7 characters are allowed.

What is Kansas's vehicle property tax?expand_more

Kansas levies an annual property tax on vehicles, calculated as the vehicle's value multiplied by the county mill rate. The tax is collected with annual registration at the County Treasurer's office and varies significantly by county.

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