Do I Have To Register My Vehicle If I Don't Drive It

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Afterwards buying a car, it may seem like your work is done. But one of the most important tasks to tackle afterward is vehicle registration.

Vehicle registration connects a machine to its owner. Each country requires you, by law, to get your machine registered with your state'southward Section of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or transportation bureau.

If y'all allow your registration to lapse or don't register your car, you lot could face penalty fees and vehicle impoundment, so yous don't want to driblet the brawl on this.

Here we'll review what vehicle registration is and how to get your car registered. We'll likewise provide an overview of the paperwork yous might need, and review how to go an thought of the cost to register a vehicle.

How vehicle registration works
How to register your vehicle
What does vehicle registration cost?

How vehicle registration works

Depending on the state, you must register a vehicle you ain or operate with your state'south DMV or transportation bureau. Here are a few common scenarios where you typically need to register a automobile.

When you lot buy a new car: If yous purchase through a dealership, they'll usually handle the title and registration for yous. But if you lot buy from a private seller, you will likely need to accept care of the registration yourself.
If you lot move to a new state: Unless yous're a full-fourth dimension pupil or agile armed services, you will demand to register your car after you move.
Annual or biennial registration renewal: Depending on the country you alive in, you'll need to renew your vehicle'southward registration every few years — check your country's police force to confirm how often.

The first time yous register your car, you'll receive a license plate for your vehicle and a registration menu. Some states too requite you a registration sticker that needs to be attached to your vehicle's license plate or window.

When y'all renew your registration, you lot'll receive a new sticker — if your state issues them —and registration menu. Depending on your state's laws, you may be required to continue the registration menu with you when operating your vehicle.

Stay current to avoid penalties

Vehicle registration needs to be renewed yearly or every few years, depending on the state you alive in. And you may demand to pay a fee each fourth dimension you renew the registration.

If your registration isn't electric current and you get pulled over, you could get a ticket and have to pay a penalisation. Your country's DMV or transportation agency might also charge penalties for expired registration. Not keeping your registration could lead to issues down the line, and may even cause your car insurance rates to increase.

On top of fees, your car could be impounded. If this happens, the vehicle tin can exist held until all fines and registration fees are paid. You may also take to pay towing and impound fees.

How to register your vehicle

To learn how to register your machine in your state, contact your state's DMV or transportation agency, or visit their website. Registration can usually be handled in person, by mail or online. For outset-time registration, some states might require y'all to handle the procedure in person.

Documents for vehicle registration

When registering your car for the first time, you'll need to provide some paperwork. These documents might include …

Your commuter'due south license or non-driver identification card
Proof of insurance, if yous live in a state where automobile insurance is legally required
Proof of sales tax payment
Car title, if you own or are financing the vehicle. If the vehicle is leased, you may need to provide a copy of the signed lease agreement.
Proof that your car has passed a vehicle safe inspection, if your land requires it
Proof that your car has passed a smog test, depending on the age of your vehicle, in some states
Vehicle registration awarding form

For registration renewals by mail, you may need to verify your personal and vehicle information on the renewal form and submit the registration fee by postal service along with your paperwork. Y'all might also need to pay any property taxes at that time and pass an emissions inspection or smog test by a specified deadline — which may be outlined on the registration class.

With an online renewal, you might demand some or all of the following information on hand:

Car's vehicle identification number
License plate number
Commuter's license number
Car insurance details
Current vehicle registration card

Make certain to check your state's DMV or transportation agency website to get a full list of what y'all'll need to renew your registration.

What does vehicle registration cost?

Registration fees and other charges paid to your state DMV or transportation agency tin can exist used to fund those organizations so they tin continue to provide vital services. The income might too help fund urban center and county services — or the superhighway patrol and state highways, too.

These DMV fees differ from state to state, and the way they're calculated varies.

Some states accuse a flat registration fee for all vehicles, while others calculate fees based on a number of factors: The car'due south current value, age, weight or fuel efficiency; the full number of cars registered in your proper name; or even the vehicle's horsepower.

The differences in the amount charged across various states can be significant. For example, Kentucky drivers could pay effectually $21 for vehicle registration. But in Montana, yous tin pay more than ten times that – $217 – to register a motorcar that'southward nether 4 years old.

You tin make up one's mind registration fees in your cervix of the woods past visiting your land's DMV or transportation agency website. The American Automobile Association (AAA) maintains a nautical chart that provides information on how registration costs are calculated in each land.

Next steps

Getting your car registered for the first time or renewing your registration may seem like a hassle, merely completing this on time could save you some serious cash.

Before you head to your country DMV or transportation bureau website, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork along with funds for the registration fee and whatsoever property taxes. This will help make the process as efficient as possible.

If you haven't bought your motorcar nonetheless, call up to set bated a little extra money in your upkeep to cover registration costs.

About the writer: Warren Clarke is a author whose piece of work has been published by Edmunds.com and the New York Daily News. He enjoys providing readers with data that tin can make their lives happier and more expansive. Warren holds a Bac… Read more.