The Bee Friendly License Plate is now a reality in Missouri
Thanks to your support you can now order a specialty license plate that supports beekeeping and bees in the state of Missouri
Obtaining a Missouri Bee Friendly specialty license plate involves a few steps. The Missouri State Beekeepers Association (MSBA) does not issue or sell the license plates directly. Bee Friendly plates are provided by the Missouri Department of Revenue and are obtained through your local DMV after completing the required application process.
Before getting started, please take a few moments to review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below. Most of the questions we receive about the Bee Friendly plate—including eligibility, fees, renewal requirements, and the application process—are already answered there.
If you still need assistance after reviewing the FAQ, we are happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bee Friendly License Plate is a special initiative by the Missouri State Beekeepers Association to raise awareness about the importance of bees and support of beekeeping activities across the state. This specialty license plate features a beautiful bee-themed design and is available for purchase by Missouri residents.
By purchasing a Bee Friendly License Plate, you are:
- Supporting local beekeepers and beekeeping education programs
- Raising awareness about the critical role bees play in our ecosystem
- Showing your commitment to environmental conservation
The cost of the Bee Friendly License Plate includes:
- A $15 annual fee from the Missouri Department of Revenue for the specialty plate. (Paid to the Department of Revenue)
- Standard vehicle registration fees as determined by the Missouri Department of Revenue.
- An annual $25 donation to the Missouri State Beekeepers Association, which supports beekeeping education and conservation efforts. ($50 for two-year renewals, which are only available if obtaining a plate in an even year for car vehicles made in an even year or an odd year for car vehicles made in an odd year).
- Fore more information on applying for a specialty plate see the Department of Revenue’s information page here
To obtain a Bee Friendly License Plate, you must:
- Be a resident of Missouri with a vehicle registered in your name.
- Complete the specialty plate application form (1716) available on this website after you click “Sign Up Now” and the Missouri Department of Revenue website
- Pay the required fees, including the $15 annual fee for the specialty plate and any applicable vehicle registration fees.
- Make a $25 annual contribution to the Missouri State Beekeepers Association ($50 for two-year registrations).
To obtain a Bee Friendly License Plate, you must:
- Visit the Missouri State Beekeepers Association Bee Friendly website (this current site) to access the form 1716 or fill it out through the Department of Revenue (we have a link to the form 1716 when you apply for an EUAS, more on this below)
- Fill out the application form for an EUAS, ensuring all information is accurate and complete and submit it to MSBA (done through “Apply for an EUAS” form access button below.
- Submit the completed 1716 form along with the $15 Missouri Department of Revenue required fees directly to the DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE (NOT MSBA) as well as a printed copy of the EUAS email (which requires a $25 annual donation to MSBA or $50 for two-year registrations) which you will be able to obtain through the form below. Donating to MSBA will provide you with an “Emblem Use Authorization Statement (EUAS)” that allows you to use a Bee Friendly License Plate on your vehicle.
- Once the Department of Revenue receives your form 1716, the $15 fee, and a printed copy of the EUAS email from MSBA, they will process your request and, if accepted, will produce your plate. This process could take 6-8 weeks. This is managed by the Department of Revenue and not MSBA. You may contact the DOR directly to see the status of your plates through their webpage here.
Yes, you are required to personalize your Bee Friendly License Plate with a custom message or combination of letters and numbers. Note that personalized plates may have additional fees and restrictions. Check the Missouri Department of Revenue website for more details on personalization options.
If you already have a personalized plate, you should be able to request that personalization on a new plate but will be required to surrender your old plate. Please contact the DOR for further information on this.
Bee Friendly License Plates may consist of no more than six characters including a dash, or a space, or an apostrophe. Five if applying for a handicap plate.
You may check the availability of your desired plate personalization using this website link. Since the Bee Friendly plate is not currently available as a searchable plate type, select any of the sample plate options provided on the Missouri Department of Revenue website and enter your desired personalization (up to 6 characters) to see if it is available.
Once you have identified an available personalization, enter your selections on Form 1716. We recommend providing multiple choices in order of preference in case your first choice is unavailable when your application is processed.
Processing times may vary, but typically, you can expect to receive your Bee Friendly License Plate within 6-8 weeks after submitting your application and payment. This is managed by the Department of Revenue and not MSBA. You may contact the DOR directly to see the status of your plates through their webpage here.
An Emblem Use Authorization Statement (EUAS) is a document that certifies your eligibility to obtain a Missouri specialty license plate, such as the Bee Friendly License Plate. It is issued by the Missouri State Beekeepers Association and confirms that you have made the required contribution to support their programs. It is not purchasing a plate from the MSBA and is a non-refundable donation regardless of if you choose to obtain a Bee Friendly plate or not with the donation.
The Emblem Use Authorization Statement is required to:
- Ensure that the funds raised from the specialty plates are directed to the appropriate organization or cause
- Verify that applicants have made the necessary financial contribution to the Missouri State Beekeepers Association
- Maintain the integrity and purpose of the specialty plate program by ensuring that only those who support the cause receive the specialty plate
To obtain an Emblem Use Authorization Statement for the Bee Friendly License Plate, follow these steps:
- Visit the Missouri State Beekeepers Association website and click on the “Apply for an EUAS” button below to make your $25 contribution ($50 for two-year renewals).
- Once your contribution is processed, you will receive the Emblem Use Authorization Statement electronically
- Submit a printed copy of the Emblem Use Authorization Statement email along with your specialty plate application (Form 1716) to the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Because all Bee Friendly license plates are custom manufactured, production and delivery times may vary. As a result, there is no ideal time to order your plate, and it may not be possible to coordinate the arrival of your new plates with your current registration renewal date.
When your Bee Friendly plates are issued, the Missouri Department of Revenue will handle any necessary registration adjustments. This may include exchanging your current plates, prorating previously paid registration fees, and updating your registration renewal date. Specialty emblem plates, including the Bee Friendly plate, are assigned a July renewal month (December for qualifying heavy trucks).
BEE FRIENDLY PLATE RENEWALS – After your initial application for a Bee Friendly plate has been processed, you will need to obtain a new Emblem Use Authorization Statement (EUAS) each year before renewing your plates at your local DMV. You can obtain your annual EUAS by clicking the “Apply for an EUAS” button below.
The Missouri Department of Revenue accepts Emblem Use Authorization Statements (EUAS) for up to 90 days from the date they are issued.
If your EUAS is more than 90 days old and you have not yet applied for your Bee Friendly plates, simply contact us and we will be happy to provide you with an updated form.
Before reaching out with questions, please take a moment to review all of the FAQ section above, as it answers the vast majority of questions we receive about the Bee Friendly license plate program.
The Missouri State Beekeepers Association is operated entirely by volunteers, and reviewing the FAQ first helps us provide assistance more efficiently to everyone.
If you still have questions after reviewing the FAQ, please feel free to contact the Missouri State Beekeepers Association. You may also find additional information on the Missouri Department of Revenue website.
