Interchangeable Plates for Special Mobile Equipment, Transporters, or Finance Companies

If your business is licensed by the MVA (dealers, manufacturers, distributors, dismantlers, recyclers, scrap processors), use the licensing process for those businesses instead.

Special mobile equipment (SME)

What qualifies as special mobile equipment

Special mobile equipment (SME) includes vehicles or equipment that:

• Are not mainly used to transport people or property on highways
• Are used on highways only to travel to or from a work site
• Are designed to carry no more than two people
• Have minimal hauling capacity
• Carry only the equipment needed to do the work

See examples of eligible and ineligible equipment at the bottom of this page. 

Apply for interchangeable tags for SME

The MVA reviews every application. 

Step 1: Get the application packet

• Download the Interchangeable Registration Plates for Special Mobile Equipment packet, or
• Contact the Business Licensing and Compliance Division by phone or mail.

Step 2: Gather required documents

You’ll need to submit:

• Application for Registration of Special Mobile Equipment
• Photos of the equipment (front and rear), or a brochure, or a website link
• Proof of ownership (invoice or similar), if requested
• Any additional forms required for your situation

Step 3: Get your tags

When your application is approved, the MVA will mail you an interchangeable tag application for each tag. 

Take the form and payment to any MVA full-service branch to get the tags.

Add or remove SME

Step 1: Start the request

• Download the Interchangeable Registration Plates for Special Mobile Equipment packet, or
• Contact the Business Licensing and Compliance Division by phone or mail.

Step 2: Submit required documents

You’ll need to submit:

• Application for Registration of Special Mobile Equipment (Use this form to indicate which equipment is being added or removed.)
• Photos of any new equipment (front and rear), or brochure, or website link
• Proof of ownership, if requested
• Any additional forms required for your situation

Renew interchangeable tags for SME

About two months before your tags expire, you’ll receive a renewal notice from the MVA.

Return the form and the required fee by mail or in person. You will receive a new registration card and a year sticker

Transporters & finance companies

Apply for interchangeable tags for transporters or finance company vehicles

To qualify for interchangeable tags, your business must:

• Be properly equipped for the services listed on your application, and
• Have facilities suitable for that type of business

Step 1: Get the application packet

• Download the Interchangeable Registration Plates for Transporters and Finance Companies packet, or
• Contact the Business Licensing and Compliance Division

Step 2: Gather required documents

You’ll need to submit: 

• Application for Registration of Transportation of Vehicles or Finance Companies, and
• Additional documents required for your business type (see below)

Step 3: Get your tags

The MVA will mail you an interchangeable tag application for each tag.

Take the form and your payment to any MVA full-service branch or tag and title service to get the tags.

Renew your transporter tags

The MVA will send you a renewal application to complete and return. If requested, submit two current or updated contracts with the application. 

After reviewing your application, the MVA will send you a renewal authorization. Take the authorization and fee to an MVA branch. You will receive a new registration card and year sticker

Update an address or business officer

Step 1: Start the request 

• Download the appropriate packet (see below), or
• Contact the Business Licensing and Compliance Division

Step 2: Submit the correct documents

For Special Mobile Equipment, submit an application for Registration of Special Mobile Equipment with updated address or officers

For Transporters or Finance Companies, submit an application for Registration of Transportation of Vehicles or Finance Companies with updated address or officers

You may also need to submit:

• New Transporter Tag Contracts (if required before)
• New Zoning Approval Form (if moving locations and zoning approval was required before)
• Updated auctioneer’s license (if required before)

If your address changes, you must also apply for corrected registration cards after the change is approved.

Fees for interchangeable tags

See the Interchangeable Tags Fee Schedule.

Examples of qualifying SME

See examples of equipment that may qualify for special mobile equipment interchangeable tags from the MVA.