Purchasing a vehicle is only the first step towards getting behind the wheel. In order for it to be legal to drive, you’ll need to register your vehicle with the state. What exactly does that entail? Read on to learn everything you need to know about car registration.
Everything You Need to Know About Car Registration
- What Is Vehicle Registration?
- Process of Registering a Vehicle with the DMV
- Renewing and Updating Vehicle Registration
- How Much are Registration Fees?
- Registering an Out-of-State Vehicle
What Is Vehicle Registration?
The simplest way to think of vehicle registration is as permission to operate a car on public roads. Without it, you can’t legally drive your car to work, soccer practice, or anywhere else. That permission is granted on a state level through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), the Secretary of State, or an equivalent agency.
Vehicle registration is only issued once a certain set of criteria is met. What’s required to register a vehicle varies by state, but there are a few commonalities. You’ll need a valid driver’s license along with a document showing proof of vehicle ownership, such as a certificate of title (aka a car title) or a bill of sale. You’ll also need to provide the vehicle identification number (VIN) — which is a 17-digit alphanumeric code unique to your car — to link your ownership to the specific vehicle you’re registering. Sometimes, you’ll need to complete a registration application, listing details of the vehicle, such as its VIN and odometer reading.
Most states will require proof of car insurance (i.e., a document showing that you have an active policy that meets the minimum coverage mandated by the state, normally liability insurance). Check with your local DMV for any auto insurance requirements your state might have.
Depending on where you live, your car may also need to undergo an emissions or safety inspection before the DMV will complete a vehicle registration. California, for instance, requires biennial smog checks for most gas-powered vehicles. (The state has an exemption for new cars.)
Assuming you’ve obtained all the necessary approvals and have the right documents, you’re ready to proceed with registering your vehicle.
Process of Registering a Vehicle with the DMV
Because individual states issue vehicle registration, the process will depend on where you live, but most of the time, it should go something like this:
If it’s your first time registering this particular automobile — be it a new vehicle or a used vehicle you purchased outright from a dealership or private party — you may need to go into your local DMV office or state equivalent, particularly if you wish to drive the vehicle ASAP. Some states allow for vehicle owners to obtain first-time vehicle registrations online, but doing so will likely mean you’ll need to wait a few weeks for the license plate(s), vehicle stickers (aka tags), and registration card to arrive before you can regularly use your car.
When you go to the vehicle office, bring along the aforementioned necessary documents (i.e., an ID card, the vehicle title, proof of insurance, and any smog check or safety inspection paperwork) as well as a credit card or checkbook to pay for the registration fees and any applicable sales tax. The clerk will ensure everything is in order and, assuming you don’t want a vanity plate, will grab a license plate and assign its number to your car. They’ll then tell you what you owe.
If you request a particular plate number, the state will give you a temporary tag to use in the meantime. Apply this paper license plate to your car and the vehicle will be legal to drive on public roads and highways until it expires.
If you purchased the vehicle from a dealership, it’s possible that you might be able to skip a few of these steps. That’s because dealerships are typically able to complete part of the registration process on your behalf. They may, however, charge an additional fee for this service.
Renewing and Updating Vehicle Registration
Vehicle registration expires, so you’ll have to renew it from time to time. Most states default to annual renewals, but some offer vehicle owners the option to re-up for several years. In Ohio, for example, you can renew your vehicle registration for up to five years at a time. The upside of multiyear car registration is that you don’t have to worry about renewing every year, and you’ll likely pay less overall in registration fees, as states bake in a discount for vehicle owners who pay one lump sum upfront.
Registration renewals can usually be done online or by mail in addition to in-person at your county motor vehicle office.
If you move, you might be required to update your vehicle registration. In-state relocations typically consist of updating the address you have on file with the DMV, but an out-of-state move can require more legwork. But more on that in a bit.
How Much are Registration Fees?
Just as every state has its own vehicle registration process, each also has its own registration fee structure. Some have a flat fee for vehicle registration, while others take into account several factors. The registration fees in California, for example, take into account the type of vehicle (e.g., auto, motorcycle, etc.), the purchase price and date, the county in which you reside, the vehicle weight, and the type of license plate you ordered. Additional factors that could impact how much you pay for registration include unpaid parking violations as well as infrastructure-based funding for transportation improvement and highway patrols.
Registering an Out-of-State Vehicle
If you’re registering a vehicle you purchased or bought from another state, you might have to complete an extra step or two in the registration process. In Colorado, for example, a VIN check is required to register an out-of-state vehicle, regardless of whether it’s exempt from an emissions inspection. Usually, this means you’ll have to go to an inspection station, where a technician will confirm the VIN on the car (and often its odometer reading). Make sure to look up the specific requirements for the state so you don’t waste a trip to the DMV office.
