All about Kansas license plates – Primer
Cars/Light Trucks
The difference between cars and light trucks are merely semantics and a "12M Regular" sticker — vehicle registration fees for both classes are equivalent. Legally, a vehicle that is used solely for carrying passengers is considered a car — so Vans and SUV's used for carrying people usually are registered as cars, and those used in business are classified as light trucks.
Automobiles and Trucks with a gross weight of less than 12,000 pounds are registered according to the owner's last name (or company name). If a new registration occurs outside the owner's renewal window, the initial registration fee is prorated.
Last Name begins with... | Code (1973-1989) | Registration renewal begins... | Registration Expiration |
A | A | 15 January | 28/29 February |
B | B | 15 February | 31 March |
C, D | C | 15 March | 30 April |
E, F, G | E | 15 April | 31 May |
H, I | H | 15 May | 30 June |
J, K, L | J | 15 June | 31 July |
M, N, O | M | 15 July | 31 August |
P, Q, R | R | 15 August | 30 September |
S | S | 15 September | 31 October |
T, V, W | V | 15 October | 31 November |
U, X, Y, Z | U | 15 November | 31 December |
Heavy Trucks
Trucks with a gross weight of over 12,000 pounds are registered between January 1 and February 15. The posted expiration date was originally shown as December, in 2003, the displayed expiration was changed to February.
Registration fees for heavy trucks are based on the maximum declared weight of the vehicle plus trailer and cargo. Recreational Trailers need not be factored into declaring a truck's weight. Tow Trucks do not need to figure the weight of a towed vehicle. Weight Classes for heavy trucks range from 16,000 pounds 85,000 pounds. There are three different truck classifications used to figure registration fees. The weight and class of the vehicle is indicated by a reflective decal on the lower right-hand corner of the plate.
The truck classifications are:
Regular: Like the name suggests, this is the standard classification for heavy trucks. Regular trucks have a white weight decal.
Local: A reduced registration fee is offered for vehicles that are only used in town. A vehicle registered as "local" may not be used more than 25 miles from the city where the vehicle is based (3 miles if the vehicle is used for hire or in 'common carrier' service).
6000 Mile: If the owner of the vehicle indicates that a vehicle will not be driven more than 6,000 miles in a calendar year, they can pay the "local" registration fee.
Local and 6000 mile truck haves a yellow weight decal.
Farm: Vehicles used exclusively in agricultural use are charged the lowest registration fee. In addition, the three highest weight classes are consolidated into one. Farm vehicles have a red weight decal.
If a vehicle is registered as "Local" or "Farm," but is not used in a manner consistent with such a classification, the owner is charged the difference between the "Regular" registration fee and the amount already collected.
Trailers
Non-recreational Trailers are registered on the same calendar year basis as heavy trucks, except that a trailer over 12,000 pounds may be registered for 5 years in advance. Trailers carry red decals, and have three weight classifications: 8M (2,000-8,000 pounds), 12M (8,000-12,000 pounds), and 12+M (Over 12,000 pounds). Registration of trailers under 2,000 pounds (mainly boat trailers) is optional.
Recreational trailers are registered on the same last-name basis as automobiles.