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Any time you buy a car or move states, you need to register your car in that state to receive a license plate and tags. The tags show the month and year you’ll need to renew your registration. Registering your car links the vehicle to you as the owner in your state and ensures you’re up-to-date on taxes, fees and car insurance.
Technically, you only transfer a car registration if you move states or want to use the license plate from your previous car. If you buy a car without selling or trading in an old car, you would register that car with your state and receive a new license plate.
Every state requires you to register the car or transfer registration within a certain timeframe, typically 30 days from your purchase or moving date.
Your car’s title is an official document that names you as the owner and proves ownership anywhere in the US. Registration is an official record linking you to your car in the state where you live for tax and insurance purposes. You’ll need the car title to register your car in your state.
Register for the first time or transfer your car’s registration by visiting your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or county tag office. The process might look like this:
When you get to the DMV, you may need to have these items with you:
Transferring your car registration after moving states follows the same general steps for registering a vehicle. The main difference is that you may need to mail your old license plate back to your previous state if it’s required. Otherwise, ask what to do with your old license plate when registering in your new home state.
Also, make sure to transfer the registration within your new state’s timeline by verifying the limit with the DMV. Although most states allow transfers as far out as 30 days from your moving date, some states have shorter time limits like 20 days.
Registering your new car is a simple process if you’re going through a car dealership. Otherwise, you and a private seller will need to take care of the correct paperwork yourselves.
You can ask the dealer to complete the vehicle registration steps. Let the dealer know if you want to use your previous car’s license plate. Then, sign the forms and pay the registration fees. If you’re not using your old plate or have moved from out of state, the dealer will usually give you a temporary tag until you receive a new one by mail.
If the dealer can’t take care of the entire registration process for you, follow the general steps for registering your vehicle at your local DMV or county office.
To transfer your vehicle registration after buying a car from a private seller:
The process for transferring a registration can differ based on how you sell your car:
You can make sure you register or transfer your car registration on time by understanding your state’s time limit. The time limit begins from the day you purchased your new car or move states. Find out the timing for your state:
Alabama | $23 | 20 days |
Alaska | $100 | 60 days |
Arizona | $23 | 15 days |
Arkansas | $17 | 30 days |
California | $46 | 30 days |
Colorado | County ownership tax ranges from 2.1% of your car’s taxable value in the first year to 0.45% after the fifth year | 90 days |
Connecticut | $80 | 60 days |
Delaware | $40 | 30 days |
District of Columbia | $72 | 30 days |
Florida | $225 | 30 days |
Georgia | $20 | 30 days |
Hawaii | $45 | 30 days |
Idaho | $69 | 30 days |
Illinois | $101 | 30 days |
Indiana | $21.35 | 45 days |
Iowa | Percent of the vehicle value by category, typically between 0.5% and 1% | 30 days |
Kansas | $30 | 60 days |
Kentucky | $21 | 45 days |
Louisiana | 0.1% of the value of the vehicle | 40 days |
Maine | $35 | 30 days |
Maryland | $135 | 60 days |
Massachusetts | $60 | 7 days |
Michigan | Based on the price of the car, title and license plate | 15 days |
Minnesota | Based on the value of the vehicle | 10 days |
Mississippi | $15 | 30 days |
Missouri | $18 | 30 days |
Montana | $217 | 40 days |
Nebraska | $15 | 30 days |
Nevada | $33 | 30 days |
New Hampshire | $31.20 | 60 days |
New Jersey | $33.50 | 60 days |
New Mexico | $27 | 90 days |
New York | $26 | 10 days |
North Carolina | $36 | 28 days |
North Dakota | $49 | 30 days |
Ohio | $34.50 | 30 days |
Oklahoma | $85 | 30 days |
Oregon | $43 | 30 days |
Pennsylvania | $36 | 15 days |
Rhode Island | $30 | 20 days |
South Carolina | $40 | 45 days |
South Dakota | $36 | 30 days |
Tennessee | $23.75 | Depends on county |
Texas | $50.75 | 30 days |
Utah | $43 | 60 days |
Vermont | $76 | 60 days |
Virginia | $40.75 | 30 days |
Washington | $30 | 15 days |
West Virginia | $30 | 30 days |
Wisconsin | $75 | 30 days |
Wyoming | $30 | 45 days |
Along with the registration fee, you’ll also pay a title transfer fee to transfer the title from the previous owner’s name to yours if you bought a different car. You might also pay an additional electric vehicle (EV) fee or get charged a higher registration fee for driving an EV. Other county or state fees and taxes may apply.
Fee type | Cost |
---|---|
Registration | $20 to $75 |
Electric vehicle | $130 to $250 |
Title transfer |
|
Emissions inspection | $15 to $20 |
Electric vehicle owners may pay an extra road fee that goes towards road maintenance. For regular gas-powered cars, this road tax is built into the cost of fuel.
Looking to save on registration fees? In some states, you can land a discount for being a senior or paying in advance for several years at once.
Transferring a car’s registration works similar to registering your car for the first time. The main difference lies in what you do with the license plate: either surrendering it to your previous state or using the old plate on your new vehicle. Either way, you’ll need to buy car insurance beforehand since your state likely requires proof of insurance to complete the registration.
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