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We are not affiliated with the government in any way. We are a private company that engaged writers to research the car registration process and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you learn how to register a car by providing useful information on the process. We are not providing legal or financial advice. If you need such advice please contact an attorney or a financial advisor.
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In most states, you must purchase car insurance before you can register your vehicle. The coverage must meet the state’s minimum requirements. In states where insurance is not required, you may be able to register your car without insurance if you can prove that you have enough money saved up to cover any damages in the event of an accident.
Depending on where you live, you may be able to renew your registration online or by mail if you are out of state. Some states use a special out-of-state application while others allow you to receive a limited extension on your registration renewal. However, keep in mind that state laws vary when it comes to out-of-state renewals, including the steps you must follow if your county requires a yearly car emissions test.
Depending on your state's rules, you may be able to register a vehicle on behalf of someone else if you have the necessary information and documents, such as a notarized Power of Attorney.
To register your vehicle as a new state resident, you may need to apply for a new title and registration at your local DMV or county tag office. In addition to the application form, you may also need to submit your previous registration and proof of car insurance.
Depending on your state, you may be required to file a police report if your registration was stolen. However, even if your state does not have this requirement, it is a good idea to report a stolen registration to the police. A police report could help protect you in case your stolen documents are used fraudulently.
Vehicle registration fees vary by state. Some states charge the same registration fee regardless of your vehicle while others calculate your fee based on your car’s year, weight, value and more. Keep in mind that the registration fee is different from the yearly renewal fee, which is usually much lower.
No, there is no difference between a duplicate registration and a replacement.
To renew your car registration, you will typically need to provide a state ID card, your license plate number and a few personal details. Depending on your state, you may also need to pass a smog test or vehicle inspection before you can renew.
If you renewed your registration but have not received your materials, contact your state’s DMV or corresponding office. It’s possible that your registration renewal was not processed or that the materials got lost in the mail.
Even if you did not receive a renewal notice in the mail, you are still responsible for renewing your registration. Depending on your state, you may be able to renew your car online or in person without the renewal notice. Be sure to double-check that your mailing address is correct with your state’s DMV to help avoid similar issues in the future.
If you have outstanding tickets or an unpaid balance at your state’s DMV, you may not be able to renew your registration until you have resolved these issues.
Typically, all motorized vehicles (including boats) need to be registered with a state’s DMV or tax office, but there may be some exceptions. For example, your state may not require you to register vehicles like motorized scooters, golf carts or certain farm equipment like tractors. Additionally, some states (like Virginia) do not require you to register an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) while others (like California) do.
You can likely order a personalized or specialty license plate through your state’s DMV or county tag office. Keep in mind that these plates typically come with an added fee. If you are planning to personalize your license plate, review your state’s requirements to avoid having your plate application rejected.
You may typically apply for a handicap parking permit by submitting a specific form to your state’s DMV. You will likely need to have a physician or other licensed health professional certify your form. In many states, there is no fee for a permanent parking permit, but there may be a fee for a temporary permit.
No, you do not need to renew your car’s title. Your vehicle’s certificate of title is a document that records who the owner of a vehicle is, while your registration simply adds your vehicle to your state’s database. Most states require yearly registration renewals, but your title is permanent and does not need to be renewed.