Everybody needs six things to legally drive your cars around: registration, a driver’s license, a title, a license plate, and insurance. The license is your ID and certification for driving, the title is the car’s ID, and the registration ties the person to the car in a specific place. They annoyingly all cost you money, but you are required to have them all, and there’s no way around it.
Still, anything involving the bureau of motor vehicles (BMV) can be intimidating and confusing. We’re here to untangle the mess and get you and your car legally on the road. Dive into The Drive’s guide to vehicle registration below.
Every state in the United States of America requires you to register your car with the government before you can legally drive it—*shakes fist at the man*. The registration creates a link between you and the car. You are registered to the car and the car is registered to the location. You’re connected, for better or worse.
In short, money and information. Not only does it raise money for the government, but it also creates a reference point for various uses, including legal matters.
A vehicle’s title is proof of the person’s ownership of the vehicle. When somebody sells a vehicle, they sign the title over to the new owner.
The process for getting a car registration is slightly different in every state, but these are the general requirements you will need to get your car registered.
Never complete a car purchase without taking possession of a title on which the previous owner declared you are the new owner.
A driver’s license, passport, or state ID should work.
In addition to the title, a bill of sale keeps things official, legal, and organized. Bill of sale templates can be found and downloaded online. For example, here’s New York’s.
Select states require specific environmental checks, such as smog checks in California or emissions testing in Illinois, before you can register or re-register a car. Sometimes it’s every year, other times, it’s every two years. Some states, such as Arkansas and Florida, do not require emissions testing. Check with your local authorities for what you need. We have provided direct links to every state below.
You and your car must be insured before you can legally register your car. Why? Because you’re inherently creating risk by driving a 3,000-7,000-pound vehicle around, and you need to protect yourself and others in the chance of an accident.
Car registration and plates make money for the government. The government typically accepts check or credit card.
We love you so much we brought together every state’s online registration information! You’re welcome.
You’ve got questions, The Drive has answers!
A. Yes, absolutely. The first thing an officer asks for after pulling you over is your license and registration. You better have it.
A. The title ties the vehicle to a person. The registration ties the vehicle to a place.
A. Nope! Your vehicle number, which is normally called the vehicle identification number (VIN), is given to the vehicle from the manufacturer during production.
A. The odometer measures the distance a vehicle travels. In the United States, this is measured in miles, while other foreign countries use kilometers. An odometer reading is a required record for vehicle transfer.
A. A co-owned vehicle means exactly what it suggests. Both people on the title are part legal owners of that vehicle.
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