How to Register a Car

Whether it's your daily driver, a truck for work, a weekend motorcycle, or an antique automobile, if you intend to drive it on public roads, you'll need to have a valid state registration. Here's how to obtain one.

What Is a Vehicle Registration?

When you buy a car, you're required to have at least the minimum amount of auto insurance mandated by your state and to register the vehicle in your name with the state's department of motor vehicles (DMV). All 50 states require that cars be registered if they are to be driven on public roadways.

Upon registering your car for the first time, you'll be given a set of license plates and a registration card. Depending on where you live, you will also receive a registration sticker to affix to either a car window or a license plate.

Your registration will expire after a certain length of time—such as one, two, or three years, depending on your state—and you will need to renew it. In many states, you can renew your registration and pay any required fees online.

Failing to maintain a valid registration can lead to fines and could even result in your car being impounded. If that happens, you will need to renew your registration before you can get your car back.

Documents Needed to Register a Car

If you're buying or leasing a new car from a dealership, the dealer will typically handle the registration process for you. Any associated fees will be reflected in the vehicle's final cost.

Otherwise, you will need to register the car yourself. Different states have different registration requirements. For instance, motorists in California are required to provide proof that a newly registered vehicle passed a smog test meeting the state's stringent vehicle emissions standards.

Though some states may require more documents than others, these are some of the more common ones you may need to bring to the DMV, according to Hearst Autos Research:

• A driver's license or some other form of identification
• Proof of insurance
• The car title or signed lease agreement
• Proof that the vehicle passed a safety inspection
• A completed vehicle registration application form
• Payment for any registration fees

Depending on your state, you may also need to provide information like an odometer reading or proof that you paid sales taxes if they aren't exempted by the state. Though the entire process is usually easy, you can avoid any headaches by double-checking your state's vehicle registration page online before you head to the DMV.

The Bottom Line

If purchasing a car from a dealership, the initial registration likely will be handled as part of the purchase. In most states, this is good only for a year or maybe two years, depending on the state where you live. Registrations need to be renewed every year or two, and some states allow this to be handled through the mail, but a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles may be required.