DMV Vehicle Registration Guide

Whether you are buying a new or used vehicle, inheriting one, or just need to title and registration a vehicle you have had in your possession already, you may find the process daunting. Essentially, it is just a completion of paperwork and payment of fees but making sure that everything is filed correctly and in a timely manner is where complications can arise.

There are many a cases of people making 3 or more trips to their DMV, RMV, or MVD when the proper documentation is not provided or filing errors are made. If you know what to expect and what you will need, you can avoid wasting time and even money.

If you need to RENEW your vehicle registration, visit this link.

Registering Your Vehicle

Many drivers interchange this term to mean both or just one. What’s important to remember, is that your registration or tags are always composed of three things. When you register a vehicle, you are usually provided a registration card, metal plate and sticker(s).

While the plate is not replaced often, the registration card and sticker are and usually every 12 or 24 months depending on the state you are in and what renewal terms they offer. Plates and stickers are often referred to as tags.

Before you can register your vehicle, your vehicle will probably need to:

• Present the title which will need to be in the name of at least one of the people whose name will appear on the registration. If only one person will appear on the registration, that usually has to be the same person that appears on the title.
• Personal identification in the form of a driver’s license. Many states will not accept any other form of identification since, if you are registration a vehicle which indicates that you plan to operate it on the road, the registered owner should be licensed to drive.
• Any state inspection requirements be met such as for smog output must be completed before a vehicle can be registered and before it can be renewed each term in some cases. In many states, this record is updated digitally by the agencies that do the inspections. In other states, you may need to have an inspection certificate of some type
• Provide proof of insurance. The minimum coverage requirements vary by state and sometimes by vehicle. It is important to consult with an insurer licensed in your state about what you will need and what you may want to add above and beyond the minimums.
• Proper form of payment of required fees which may a money order, check, credit card, or other form as outlined by the DMV in your state.

It is important to remember that you must renew your registration every 6, 12, 24, or 36 months. Many states provide the option to renew for shorter or longer time frames an expiration dates are listed on the registration card. Expiration dates vary by state and can be associated with the registered owner’s birthday as is the case in Florida.

In states like California, the expiration date is every year on the day the vehicle was first registered. Check with your state DMV, RMV, or MVD for more information on this. Registrations usually cannot be transferred.

State By State DMV Vehicle Registration Guides