Wyoming License PlateA license plate is a metal or plastic plate affixed to an automobile for official identification. It is sometimes referred to as a number plate or registration plate. It usually shows a combination of letters and numbers allocated to a vehicle by the government agency in charge of registration. A license plate's primary function is to provide every automobile with a distinctive identity, which makes it easier for law enforcement to monitor and control traffic.
Wyoming requires license plates for all automobiles in the state. Vehicle registration and displaying license plates are legal requirements for operating an automobile on public roads in Wyoming. Vehicle owners must obtain license plates from the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and affix them to their vehicles.
Through the Wyoming Motor Vehicle Service (MVS), the state's Department of Transportation oversees and controls the issuing of license plates for automobiles. Vehicle owners can apply for and pick up their license plates at their county treasurers' offices.
Most vehicles in Wyoming are required to have front and rear license plates according to the Wyoming Motor Vehicle Code. However, motorcycles, multifunctional vehicles, trailers, house trailers, and cars driven by dealers only need one license plate at the rear of the automobile. Furthermore, the requirement for two license plates was waived in 2015 for vehicles that were custom-built, vintage, or missing front license plate brackets. A Wyoming license plate cannot be given to another individual. However, the owner of the vehicle may transfer the license plate to another vehicle they own or purchase. Typically, a Wyoming license plate will contain the county code, alphanumeric characters, which can be all numbers or a combination of numbers and alphabets, and the state's name.
The following are the types of license plates in Wyoming:
Wyoming License Plate Design and FormatsA Wyoming license plate is a metal tag that displays the vehicle's specific alphanumeric registration characters. A vehicle license plate must be at least 12 inches long and 6 inches tall, while a motorcycle license plate must be 7 inches long and 4 inches in height. The plate features black serial numbers accompanied by an emblem of a bucking horse and rider, which is the state's recognized trademark. An overcast blue sky, Squaretop Mountain, and the Green River Lakes are also shown in the background. At the top, the word "WYOMING" is written in yellow.
The first number on a Wyoming standard license plate identifies the county that issued the plate and ranges from 1 to 23. Every Wyoming license plate begins with the county code and the allotted alphanumeric characters. A vehicle owner must attach the license sticker (decal) on the license plate. The decal shows the expiration date of the license plate.
Wyoming specialty license plates combine all the features of standard license plates with the symbols or emblems of the causes they support. Commercial license plates are distinguished by the inscription "COMMERCIAL" on them.
Standard license plates for passenger and commercial vehicles:
Specialty license plates
* Source: Wyoming Department of Transportation
Wyoming Vanity License PlatesVanity license plates, sometimes called personalized or custom license plates, are special license plates on vehicles that display customized or personalized messages chosen by vehicle owners. Instead of the conventional alphanumeric combination assigned by the government, individuals can request specific combinations of letters, numbers, or both for their license plates.
Vanity license plates are called personalized prestige license plates in Wyoming. They can be obtained for all regularly registered vehicles upon paying the prestige license fees and submitting the completed Application for Prestige Plates form. An applicant can confirm the availability of their desired license plate number online. If available, they can request it and make payment on the website. Their prestige license plate will be sent to their local county office. Alternatively, they can visit their county treasurer's office to apply for the prestige license plate. Securing a prestige license plate costs an additional $30 and can take up to 10 weeks for delivery. The vehicle owner must return the existing standard license plate to the county treasurer before they can receive the prestige plate. Applicants may contact WYDOT at (307) 777-4709 to check for the availability of their desired personalized plates.
The following rules apply for the prestige license plate numbers:
Most Popular Wyoming Special Plate NumbersThe most popular specialty plate numbers in Wyoming include:
Wyoming License Plate LookupA license plate lookup entails obtaining information about a vehicle using its license plate number. The make and model, mileage, repair history, accident history, and repossession history of a vehicle are typically included in this data. Occasionally, a license plate lookup may also provide information on the registered owner. Some common reasons for conducting a license plate lookup in Wyoming include:
You can perform a license plate lookup on your vehicle or an abandoned vehicle on your property by submitting an MV-220 Title Search form to Wyoming Motor Vehicle Services:
WYDOT-Motor Vehicle ServicesThe following must be submitted along with the completed form:
Alternatively, you can conduct license plate lookups using RecordsFinder and other third-party websites. While some of these services provide basic information about a car, such as its make and model, at no cost, others may charge a fee for more detailed information.
Vehicle owners in Wyoming can conduct reverse license plate number searches on the RecordsFinder website. However, the reason for the search must conform with federal and state privacy regulations for the request to be processed.
What Do I Need to Get a License Plate in Wyoming?The following are needed to secure a license plate for a vehicle purchased from a dealer in Wyoming:
The following are required to register a pre-owned car:
The registration fees are:
The vehicle owner must submit the relevant documents and appropriate fees to their county treasurer's office.
Differences Between a Passenger License Plate and Commercial License Plate in WyomingPassenger license plates are the standard license plates issued to vehicles for personal use. Conversely, commercial license plates are issued to vehicles for commercial purposes, such as buses, taxis, and commercial trailers. However, in Wyoming, passenger and commercial license plates are not issued based solely on use. Rather, Wyoming typically issues commercial license plates to vehicles based on their weight. Vehicles weighing over 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) are designated as commercial vehicles and issued commercial license plates. Similarly, vehicles with power units having three or more axles, regardless of their weight, are designated as commercial vehicles.
Here are the critical differences between passenger and commercial license plates in Wyoming:
| Features | Passenger License Plate | Commercial License Plate |
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| Gross Vehicle Weight |
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| Vehicle Use |
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| Design and Color |
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| Requirements to obtain a License plate |
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How To Renew a License Plate in WyomingVehicle license plates in Wyoming are renewed annually at county treasurer's offices by the Wyoming Motor Vehicle Service. Vehicle owners must renew their license plates in the month their license plates are to expire. They may renew online or in-person at the county treasurer's office. Online renewal is available in some counties, while in-person vehicle registration renewal can be done in all counties. A vehicle owner can contact their local county to confirm if online renewal is possible. The following are required for online vehicle registration renewal:
To renew in person, visit the local county treasurer's office with the following:
The state renewal fees are as follows:
The time it takes to renew a license plate in Wyoming varies. Typically, online vehicle registration renewals are faster than in-person renewals. On average, it takes counties between 1 and 5 working days to renew a license plate in Wyoming.
How To Transfer a License Plate in WyomingWyoming license plates are associated with vehicle owners and cannot be transferred to other persons. A vehicle owner may only transfer a license plate to another vehicle they own after disposing of the original vehicle. They must transfer the license plate within 45 days of acquiring the new vehicle. They must register the new vehicle in their county treasurer's office and indicate that they are transferring license plates during the registration. After paying the registration fee for the new vehicle, the license plate transfer is completed. The new vehicle will be credited with the remaining validity period of the license plate.
Wyoming License Plate Lookup Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)No, you cannot find the owner of a license plate in Wyoming. Attempting to collect a vehicle owner's personal information breaches privacy laws and regulations, including the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and the Wyoming Motor Vehicle Code. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) requires a requester to affirm that their request aligns with the DPPA. WYDOT is prohibited from disclosing personal information contained in vehicle records except when authorized by the individual or by law. Protected personal information includes medical information, social security numbers, and photographs. Legal or official requests should be channeled to law enforcement or authorized agencies.
However, using websites such as Recordsfinder, you may use a vehicle's VIN or license plate number to get non-personal data from over 269 million registered cars in the USA. VINs and license plate numbers are typically linked in public vehicle records.
Yes. You can get a new or duplicate license plate to replace a lost license plate in Wyoming. A new replacement license plate is the license plate with the next available license plate number sequence, and it costs $8. A duplicate license plate costs $30 and has the same number combination as the lost one. You must mail the completed Application For New or Duplicate License Plates form with the appropriate replacement fee to the County Treasurer to get your replacement license plate.
When a license plate is run by the police in Wyoming, the following range of information can be obtained:
Free license plate lookup services are generally used when purchasing used vehicles for a variety of reasons.
The following information can be gotten from free license plate searches:
License plates are renewed annually in Wyoming. Your license plate expires on the last day of the license plate expiration month. The expiration date can be found on the registration slip or the sticker on the license plate. There is no grace period for renewing license plate registration in Wyoming. Vehicle owners must renew their license plates before their existing license plate registration expires.
Driving with an expired license plate is a traffic violation in Wyoming and is punishable under the law. Penalties for driving with an expired license plate include citations, fines, and impounding the vehicle for repeated offenses. The specific penalty varies depending on the length of time of the expiration and the driver's previous related offenses. Expired temporary license plates attract similar penalties.
Do I Need to Return License Plates in Wyoming?
Yes, vehicle owners in Wyoming must return their license plates in any of the following situations:
You must inform the county treasurer of the reason for returning the license plate and request a cancellation of the license plate registration.
Vehicle owners in Wyoming must return their license plates when they move out of the state. They must inform the Department of Transportation of their relocation within 10 days of moving out of Wyoming. After receiving a new license plate number from your new state, you must send your Wyoming license plate to the county treasurer's office and request that yor Wyoming license plate registration be canceled. Failure to return your license plate will attract severe fines as it is listed as active and will continue to incur annual fees.
The sizes of license plates issued in Wyoming are:
In Wyoming, temporary license plates are typically issued when a vehicle owner needs a temporary registration before receiving permanent license plates. Here are some common situations where a driver may be allowed to use a temporary license plate in the state:
The steps to renew your Wyoming license plate are:
Some counties in Wyoming allow license plate renewals online. Consult with your county clerk to ascertain if online license plate renewal is available.
If your license plate is lost or stolen, you will be required to take the following steps: