What Does Car Registration Look Like?

Car registration documents or cards vary based on where you live. Some or all of the information listed below may appear on your registration card:  

• Vehicle details: 
  • Type
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • License plate
  • Expiration date 
  • Year, make, and model
  • Color, weight, fuel type, body style 
  • Title number 
  • Purchase date 
  • Safety or emissions inspection expiration date 
• Personal details:
  • Registered owner’s name
  • Address 
  • County of residence

Understanding the difference between a car registration and a car title is essential. The car’s title demonstrates legal ownership of that asset. The registration will list the lessor or lienholder if you lease or finance a car. However, you may still see your name listed as the “Registered Owner” since it is your responsibility to register the vehicle. 

What’s included in registering your car? 

When you register your car for the first time, you typically receive three items: 

1. License plates: These plates live on the front and rear of your vehicle, depending on what your state requires. Some states are “two-plate states,” while others only require a single plate. When registering your car, you must pay for a pair of plates unless you already have a set in your name that you’d like to transfer to your new vehicle. You can only have a single car tied to a specific set of license plates. 
2. Registration document: Your car registration often comes with two copies of a smaller registration card, one of which you keep in your wallet, the other living in your car. These two cards often come on a document that acts as your registration receipt, itemizing all the taxes and fees you paid. 
3. Month and year tags: Though it varies by state, most states require two stickers, one each for the month and year you registered your car. For example, if you registered your car in June of 2023, you’ll receive a “6” and a “23” sticker to place on your plate in a particular order. In subsequent years, you’ll only receive the year sticker when you renew your registration since the month doesn’t change. 

When you renew your registration, you’re not required to purchase new license plates. However, many car owners use first-time car registration renewals to order vanity plates. These license plates typically include a play on words or some other meaningful phrase that reflects something personal. Though they are limited in characters, vanity plates can show off a certain creativity.

What is a vehicle registration number?

A vehicle registration number is a unique identifier that separates your vehicle’s registration from the millions of other registrations. Your vehicle registration number may be printed on your registration document; sometimes, your license plate number acts as the vehicle registration number. Different states will implement unique formatting for their specific vehicle registration numbers. 

When you register a car, you let the local authorities know that you own the car legally and have paid your dues to drive on public roads. Car registration requires drivers to pay an annual or biannual fee, as assessed by state, city, or county laws, contributing to road upkeep. Fees are often based on vehicle specifications, including weight, value, and age. Car registrations can also help local law enforcement monitor and track criminal activity. 

How long does it last?

Like a pre-approved car loan, your car’s registration only lasts so long. Most car registrations expire within 12 to 24 months based on state and local laws. If you must register your car yearly per local requirements, those rules apply to all commercial and passenger vehicles until such laws change. Whether you drive a truck, electric vehicle, or minivan, you must register your car to retain your legal right to drive on public roadways. 

If you purchase a car from a dealership, you’ll receive a temporary tag as a placeholder until you register your vehicle. You have 60 days to register with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Until you register your car and receive license plates, keep the temporary tag visible inside the vehicle or in the designated license plate area. 

Car registration costs vary by state, city, and county. You’ll pay the most to register a brand-new car, as registration fees typically taper off with age. Registration costs can be lower than $10 or upwards of $200. 

Some cities or counties within each state may hold different vehicle registration requirements depending on local laws and ordinances: 

The cost to register your car can often depend on your car’s: 

• Age
• Weight
• Value
• Fuel efficiency 
• Horsepower 

However, some states simplify the process by charging a flat fee. If you’re not sure how your local car registration fees are assessed, visit your local DMV’s website or call to speak to a representative.  

Registering your car is integral to vehicle ownership in the same way paying taxes contributes to local initiatives. Besides paying your dues, registering your car also helps if your car is ever lost or stolen. Police can match your VIN or license plates (if they’re still intact) to you and help expedite an insurance claim when applicable. 

If you’re trying to figure out how to pay off a car loan faster, skipping your car’s registration can get you in serious trouble. If you get pulled over, you must show your license and registration or face legal and financial ramifications. You’ll also need your car’s registration when you trade in, sell, or refinance it. 

Where should you keep your vehicle registration?

Keeping your vehicle registration on your person (i.e., your wallet) is your best bet. Any time you get in the car, provided you have your wallet, you can show proof of registration if necessary. Many people also keep a copy in their vehicle, specifically one that doesn’t include a physical address. That way, if your car gets lost or stolen, the thieves don’t have your personal information at their disposal. 

You register your car when you first purchase it and renew your registration every year or two after that. If you permanently move to another state, you must also change your registration to reflect your state of residence. College students and individuals who visit family for an extended period don’t have to register their car in a state other than where it is currently registered. 

One of the most common questions to ask when buying a used car is, “Can you return a car after you buy it?” However, most people may not know how to register a vehicle if it’s their first time. Below are the most basic steps you can take to register your vehicle. 

1. Choose your registration method

Car registration can be done in person, online, or via a mailed-in form. You can register a car under a different name than what appears on the title—a leasing company is a good example if you lease your car. Whichever method you choose, you’ll need to gather the appropriate documents as required by your local and state registration laws. 

2. Gather the necessary documents  

When you register your car, you must show proof of the following:

• Valid driver’s license
• Proof of insurance 
• Passing safety and emissions testing results (if applicable) 
• Payment method (debit or credit card, personal check, electronic check, etc.)

Depending on what your local transportation agency or DMV requires, you may need to provide the following: 

• VIN verification
• Title to the car
• Bill of sale
• Proof of lien 
• Current odometer reading

The DMV representative may verify your car’s odometer reading in person or take the current reading from you when registering your car. Most dealerships forward the lien details against your car when creating your temporary registration tag, so you shouldn’t need to provide this information when registering your car. Some states require a bill of sale for private-party deals, but some do not. 

3. Schedule an appointment 

Most DMVs allow walk-ins, but it can be advantageous to make an appointment if you don’t have a lot of time to register your car. Most registration appointments are anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes, depending on local requirements and processes. DMV staffing will also affect how long you wait and your appointment takes. 

4. Provide documentation as requested 

Double and triple-check to ensure you have all the appropriate documentation before heading out to your appointment. Many people put all the necessary documents in a folder or binder to keep them neat and in one place. Having multiple copies of documents can be handy, though the DMV representatives will likely want to see only the original copies. 

5. Pay for your proof of registration 

When you receive your registration renewal card, it will list what you owe to register your vehicle. The DMV representative will collect this payment from you once they’ve filed the appropriate paperwork. After paying your registration fees, you’ll receive a pair of license plates, your renewal stickers, and a registration document with your registration cards. You’ll only have to update the year sticker for your subsequent renewals. 

If your car’s registration has expired, you typically have a 30-day grace period to renew your registration to drive on public streets legally. After that grace period, you may be cited for your lack of current registration, fined, and even jailed if caught on a public road. If you’re wondering if you can sell a car without registration, the answer is yes. However, until the buyer registers the car in their name, no one can legally drive it on a public road.