While vehicle registration process can be similar throughout all states, each states imposes their own guidance on the requirements to register a new vehicle. Registering passenger vehicle like a motorcycle, car or truck is the most common but other vehicle types require registration as well including motorhomes, RVs, trailers, and boats.
If a motor vehicles is not registered with the state of the owner’s residence, the governing state department may not allow the vehicle to be driven legally on the road.
Additionally, the operator of any of these vehicles may be required to obtain a specialty license depending on the state’s requirements.
Vehicle Registration Process
Though most states have similar registration laws and processes, the processes required for some vehicles like trailers, motorhomes, modulars or RVs can be quite different from that required for motorcycles, cars or trucks. The basic vehicle registration process for all these other vehicles are as follows:
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- Applications for registration: An application has to be submitted to the governing state office for registering and titling vehicles. This can be the Department or Division of Motor vehicles (DMV), the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), the Department of Transportation (DoT), the Department of Revenue (DoR), or some other similar governing body. The application should include the overall information of the vehicle like the VIN (vehicle identification number), make, and model. It should be submitted immediately after buying a new or used vehicle and applying for the title. Without a vehicle title, your will not be able to get the plate and tags or stickers in order to be able to drive the vehicle legally on public roadways. While most states require that you title a vehicle not all require that you register it. Some types of trailers and boats do not require registration.
- Identification of the owner: For individuals, the driver’s license number is used and associated with the vehicle registration. If a specialty license is required for operation of the vehicle being registered like a boating license or specialty class license for larger vehicles (like RVs), this must be attained before attempting to register the vehicle. For businesses, the identification number used for the registration is the tax account number.
- Ownership verification: The owner has to submit legal paperwork that proves they are the legal owners of the vehicle like a certificate, title, or bill of sale.. The owner may also be required to submit proof of identity like an ID card or birth certificate.
- Pay registration fees: The registration fees of motor vehicles vary from state to state. Based on the type of vehicle, use, weight and several other factors, the fees that need to be paid will differ. After the initial registration, registration renewal is required semiannually, annually, or biennially depending on some or all of the factors mentioned above. Moving to another state will require that the owner register his or her vehicle again in their new state of residence. After paying the registration fees, a license plate (or plates) will be issued.
Registration Renewal Processes
While license plates need only be replaced every 5 years or more, the registration of the vehicle must be updated much more frequently. The registration renewal process can be completed in many ways depending on your state of residence. Some general processes are given below:
- Renewal online: Many states offer the option to renew your vehicles registration online anywhere from 30-90 days prior to its expiration. While not all states offer this option, it is the easiest and most convenient option. In order to pay your registration fees, you will need a major credit card. eTags provides an online renewal option for Florida residents and soon residents of California as well. As an alternate to process online through the state, eTags promises faster processing, an immediately available digital copy, a free vehicle history report, comprehensive customer support, and more.
- Renew by Mail: Most states offer a mail-in option for registration renewal. If you are planning to use this method, make sure to send in the request well ahead of the expiration date allowing time for the state to receive the request and for you, in turn, to receive your update certificate and sticker or tab.
- Renewal in person: Most states, if not all, also offer the option to renew your registration in person by visiting your nearest DMV or governing agency in charge of this process. Some states may require that you fill out a form but all states require that you show proper paperwork (like old registration, proof of insurance) and pay the fees with cash, check or money order, or possibly credit card.
21 comments
Can a person who lives in Florida and has no intention of moving to California buy a travel trailer in CA and register it in CA?
Hello David. You can only register your vehicle in the state where you reside.
Do I need to register my travel trailer if it is going to be stationary
Hello Tanya. You’ll need to contact your DMV agency to request a non-operative vehicle status. That only applies if you are not planning to operate the vehicle at all.
We are Snowbirds who have a permanent residence in FL and pay taxes there. We are former Hoosiers and still own rental property in Indiana; have come back and lived in Indiana for more than a dozen summers. We are buying a motorhome to travel the western states for the next few years, and will store it during the winter at our rental property. Where should we plate the motorhome?
Hello Cecilia. You could register your vehicle in either location as long as you can provide a proof of address. Good luck!
My vintage1956 travel trailer was last registered in 1990 will there be extra fees to register it now? In California?
Hello Annie. The extra fees depends on the amount of time you kept your vehicle with expired tags and the type of vehicle you are driving. Contact your local DMV agency for more specific details and further instructions.
I have a 1980 travel trailer that I want to dispose (dismantle and for junk). How do I report this to DMV so it will be taken out of my name?
Hello Ruth. You could arrange an in person visit to the DMV to get further advice on what you need to submit prior to junk your vehicle. Every state works differently when it comes to getting rid of a vehicle. For the most part, you may be required to present the title and the license plates during this process.
I have a tent trailer, can etags renew that registration?
Hello Michael. You could renew your pop-up trailer but that depends on where you reside. We offer our services to certain states including Florida, California, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
I haven’t registered my motorhome for the road in seven years. Is there any amnesty on registration considering you can’t non OP a motorhome in California
Hello Michael. If you can prove your vehicle was non OP, they may be able to assist you on this process. Remember that vehicle registrations are mandatory.
I want to make sure that I get my registration handled properly. It makes sense that I would need to have the right identification! I’ll be sure to pay my registration fees.
I thought it was really interesting to learn that you may need to register and license your boat based on where you live. How do you check and see whether or not you need to have your boat registered in your state? I’m curious to know since my wife and I have been wanting to get a boat for a while now, but we want to make sure we know all the responsibilities of boat ownership prior to making a decision.
Hey John. You can check boat and vessel registration requirements by state here: http://www.dmv.org/boat-registration.php
I did not realize that the process of getting plates for a motor home was different than that of a car because motor homes travel across many different states. I was also unaware that there were fees that some states charged to motor home users that pass through. If I would have known this information sooner, I would have informed my parents who just recently bought a motor home. I believe that it is important to make sure that you know all the information on the things like cars before you buy them.
Hi Dave, you make a great point. Laws and requirements regarding motor vehicles can differ greatly enough from state to state. It is important to be informed. Best of luck to your parents as they travel.
I didn’t realize that trailers needed to be registered too. Will it have a separate license plate from the vehicle pulling it? We just bought a boat and I want to make sure that awe have all the right paper work done so we don’t get in trouble when we take it out to play. Thanks for this information!
Hi April, Whether a trailer needs to be registered depends on the state you live in. If separate registration is required in your state, a separate license plate is usually issued. For more information about your state’s requirements, please contact your local DMV, RMV, MVD office.