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Bill

SB 138

Vehicles: registration plates; temporary registration permits for specialty plates; provide for. Amends sec. 227 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.227).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rosemary Bayer and 9 co-sponsors

Michigan law now permits temporary registration permits for specialty license plates, reducing gaps between purchase and permanent plate arrival.

referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
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Bill Summary · SB 138

Legislative bill overview

SB 138 amends Michigan's vehicle registration law to allow temporary registration permits for specialty license plates. The bill modifies Section 227 of the 1949 Public Act 300, which governs vehicle registration procedures, to create a pathway for drivers to use temporary permits while obtaining specialty plates rather than waiting for permanent plates to arrive.

Why is this important

Specialty plates (vanity plates, organizational plates, commemorative plates) typically require longer processing times than standard plates. This bill reduces the gap period when vehicles lack proper registration by allowing temporary permits, which improves compliance with registration requirements and reduces the number of unregistered vehicles on roads during the waiting period.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden and cost: Implementing a temporary permit system requires additional processing infrastructure and may increase administrative costs for the Secretary of State's office, with unclear funding mechanisms.
  • Fraud and enforcement concerns: Temporary permits could be misused for registration avoidance or plate fraud if safeguards aren't sufficiently detailed in implementation rules.
  • Specialty plate accessibility: The bill may inadvertently advantage wealthier drivers who pursue specialty plates, potentially creating equity concerns if resources for processing temporary permits are limited.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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