Moped / Scooter registration
Moped / Scooter registration in Michigan: the agency, the required documents, and the exact steps, sourced from Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State).
Who to contact
Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State)
Visit the official Michigan pageStep by step
Provide proof of ownership
Register the moped and obtain a moped decal at a Secretary of State office / online services
Also obtain a moped operator's license if required to operate
What to bring
Fees & renewal
Fees
Not published on the official page as of September 2, 2026 — confirm the exact fee with Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State).
Renewal
Renews triennial (3 years, expires April 30 of the third year).
Good to know
Michigan registers mopeds with a moped DECAL (not titled). Registration is issued for three years and expires April 30 of the third year. Michigan defines a moped as engine <=100cc, no gear-shifting, top speed 30 mph or less; a separate moped license is also referenced.
More for Michigan
General guidance
Whether a moped or scooter needs a plate at all usually comes down to engine size and top speed — states draw that line in different places, and some skip registration entirely below a certain threshold. Pick your state below for the sourced answer.
Most states define a "moped" by a maximum engine displacement or top speed, and anything above that line registers as a motorcycle instead. The threshold differs by state — the state guide below states it where the agency has published it.
Some states require a full plate and registration for any moped operated on a public road; others require only a decal, a lower-tier registration, or nothing at all below the engine-size threshold. Check the state guide below for the real requirement.
A number of states let a standard driver’s license cover a moped, while others require a motorcycle endorsement above a certain engine size. This guide covers registering the vehicle; confirm license requirements with your state’s driver-license division.
Common questions
Yes — Michigan requires registration for this vehicle type. Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State) handles it; see the steps above.
Michigan lists a triennial (3 years, expires April 30 of the third year) renewal cadence for this vehicle type.
Not in every state — some states only require registration above a certain engine size or top speed, and treat smaller mopeds as exempt. Check the state guide below for the sourced threshold and requirement.
States typically draw the line by maximum engine displacement or top speed. If your scooter is above your state’s threshold, it usually registers under the motorcycle process instead — see the Motorcycle guide.