So you’re plann🍎ing to buy a car—either new or used. Before getting behind the wheel, a few details require your attention. Key among them is registering your car or truck with your state, as it is illegal to drive without it.

Here’s how vehicle registration works and how to register your car. 

What Is Vehicle Registration? 

In the U.S., car owners must register their vehicles with their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or transportation department. You must do this when buy♐ing a vehicle, moving to another state, or renewing your registration before it expires. 

States use registrations tꦍo determine vehicle ownership and provide data when tracking a criminal or assessing taxes. A registration certificate and ෴license plates are issued after paying a fee. 

Cost of Registering Your Vehicle

The cost to register your ne𒅌w car varies by♋ state but generally ranges from $30 to $50. Here are a few examples: 

• Nevada: $33 base registration fee, renewed annually
• Pennsylvania: $39 base registration fee, renewed annually
• Hawaii: $45 state fee, plus registration fee based on weight of vehicle, renewed annually
• Texas: $50.75 base registration fee which increases by the weight of the vehicle, renewed annually

R🐷enewal is required every one to three years, depending on your state’s law🦂s. 

Penalties for Not Registering Your Car

The vehicle must be registered for you to legally drive it. If you are in an accident or stopped by law enforcement, you’ll be asked to show your license, proof of insurance, and registration certificate. If you don’t have a current registration certificate with you, you could be fined or 🌞your vehicle could be impounded. 

Fines may also apply for late registra🍎tion renewal. Examples of penalties:

• Maine: If you live in Maine, fines range from $200 to $1,000. You can also be issued a traffic infraction.
• Vermont: Drivers in Vermont who fail to register their vehicles and present a current registration certificate when asked by law enforcement face penalties of $100 to $250 for a first offense. For a second violation, penalties range from $250 to $500.

How to Register Your Car

Though the requirements vary by state, youᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ’ll generally need to present the following d♊ocuments at the DMV when you register your vehicle: 

• Title or lien: If you own the vehicle outright, you’ll be asked to show its title. If the car is financed, you must show the lien agreement. 
• Bill of sale: When you buy a new car from a dealership, they issue a bill of sale. This document must be presented to register the vehicle. 
• Odometer reading: In some cases, a DMV representative will check the odometer when you bring the car for registration. Other states permit the owner to report the vehicle’s mileage.
• Proof of insurance: Most states require 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:car insurance that meets state minimum liability requirements. Be ready to show an insurance card when you register. 
• Identification: You need a current driver’s license in good standing to register a car. 
• Method of payment: To pay registration or renewal fees, bring cash, check, or credit card. 
  

The Bottom Line

There are several important 💧steps to take after purchasing a vehicle, whether new or used, and registering it with your state is one of them. Make sure you understand how often to renew the registration to avoid penalties.

Don't forget to visit your state DMV or Department of Transportation website, as it varies by state, for detailed information about the requirements, fees, and penalties for not having a current registration certificate.