Congratulations! You’ve done it. You’ve finally managed to pass your driving test, and you’re now a licensed driver who’s cleared to hit the road. Once you have your first car, it’s not as easy as just hopping in and going for a drive – there’s still work to do.

Before you can start driving regularly, you need to make sure your car is road-worthy. Aside from the pre-purchase inspection we highly recommend having done either on your own or by bringing it into our local auto repair shop, your new ride must be legally registered where you live.

Not sure what “legally registered” means? Read this blog, and you’ll be the school expert on vehicle registration!

What is Vehicle Registration?

Every car that drives on public roads needs to be registered, which means supplying the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles or transportation agency with your information as the person responsible for the vehicle. The vehicle registration also includes paying your registration taxes and fees. The exact amount due will depend on a few variables, including the specific state you live in and the year, make, and model of your vehicle. Some states allow you to pay for two years worth of registration taxes up front, while others allow payment for only one year at a time.

How To Register a Car?

Whether you’ve never registered a car before or just need a refresher, here are 6 helpful steps to get you started!

Please note that every state’s registration process is different. Different departments will have different names, different residents will be required to go through different processes, and different fees may need to be paid to register a vehicle. It’s essential to make sure you check with your local authorities to figure out exactly where you need to go, if you need to schedule an appointment, and what you need to bring with you to make your registration process as smooth as possible. Showing up for an appointment and discovering you’re unprepared can be a frustrating experience.

1. Get a Title in Your Name

The first step to registering a vehicle is acquiring legal proof that you own and are responsible for your vehicle. When you purchase your vehicle, you should receive a proof of ownership form (most common when you purchase a car from a dealer using a loan) or the vehicle’s title, which you’ll sign and take to your local department of motor vehicles during the registration process. Once you have it, make sure to keep it in a safe, easily accessible spot. You must have this.

2. Get Needed Inspections and Tests Done

Depending on the state you reside in, there’s a good chance your vehicle will probably need to have at least one inspection or test done before completing registration. You’ll need to have your car tested for emissions levels in some states. Most of the time, this can be done through one of the dozens of local businesses that are licensed by your state to conduct these tests and report results to local regulators. Failing an emissions test may come as a surprise, but there is usually an easy fix.

The state of Texas gives us a great example. In Texas, you are required to have a Smog Check performed on your vehicle before registration is approved. Their Smog Check includes both emissions testing, which measures the toxicity level of your car’s exhaust, and safety testing, which looks at everything from your brakes to your lights to make sure your vehicle is safe to operate. On the other hand, some states like Florida, for example, require neither of these tests.

While some states can transfer the test results to local regulators electronically, you may have to take a physical copy of your passed inspection to a local office to complete your registration. The results of any emissions or safety testing should be kept handy for future use.

3. Gather Your Materials

Once you purchase a vehicle, you generally have a window of time to go to your local governing body to register the vehicle. Generally, states give 30-60 days, but it can be as little as three to five business days in some cases. Make sure you look this up before completing your purchase, so you know how long you have to take care of your registration process. If you go beyond the allowed window of time, some states will charge a fee. Be responsible and avoid the fee!

Whether you complete your vehicle registration online or in-person, you’ll need at least the following:

• A vehicle registration form
• Your signed vehicle title or proof of purchase/ownership
• Any inspection results or certificates
• A valid driver’s license (if you still have a temporary paper license, you may need another form of a valid photo ID; a valid passport is nearly always acceptable)
• Proof of residency (usually some piece of official mail in your name with your current address listed on it)
• Proof of insurance for your vehicle (as a friendly FYI, if your car is being financed, the finance company will most likely require you to obtain full coverage insurance)

4. Complete Vehicle Registration

We strongly advise looking up your local governing body online to see if you can make an appointment for your service or to see if you can take care of part or all your services online. Most vehicle bureaus across the country have invested heavily in online systems that allow them to process more requests faster. Many states now allow you to renew your registration online. For new registrations, expect to visit in person.

Even if you can’t complete the process online, you should still be able to find out exactly what forms or documentation you’ll need for the process.

Making an Appointment Online?

If you can make an appointment for your local transportation authority office, you should do that. It’s also best to make sure you arrive 10-15 minutes early. Generally, registration can last 30-60 minutes to complete, as long as you’ve filled out all of the necessary forms correctly ahead of time and brought the necessary materials.

5. Get Your Ride Ready

When your registration is complete, one of several things could happen. Some states give you your new license plates on the spot. Others give you a temporary license that you must affix to your old license plates until your new ones arrive in the mail. Others don’t give you either, but instead, give you a new proof of registration that you must keep with your vehicle until you get your new plates. If you need a new title printed in your name, this will most likely arrive in the mail within two to three weeks.

You may also receive a registration sticker right away. Your agent should give you instructions on how to affix that sticker to your vehicle correctly. Make sure you place it in the correct spot; improperly placed stickers could lead to a pesky fix-it ticket and a fine.

And just like that, you’re ready to roll – until it’s time to renew your registration.

6. Renewing Your Registration

This is the easy part! Your registration will generally need to be renewed every year, usually before the end of the month listed on your registration sticker. Many states choose your birth month. Happy Birthday to you, right? We recommend paying your renewal fee well before your registration expires, so it always remains current. Many states allow you to pay your renewal online, and your new sticker will show up in the mail within a week or two, along with your new proof of registration.

If you ever lose your sticker, your proof of registration, or your license plates, contact your local governing office and inform them right away. You may have to purchase a new sticker or new plates, but that’s a small price to pay when you consider what someone could do with your stolen plates that you’d be held responsible for. And, paying a replacement fee beats getting pulled over by law enforcement and receiving a traffic ticket any day!

Need Some Extra Help? CBA Has You Covered

Whether you’re looking for a safety inspection, emissions test, Smog Check, or any other auto needs, turn to Christian Brothers Automotive! If your state requires it, your local CBA will be prepared to help you check your items off the list.

Locate your closest CBA shop today to schedule your next automotive appointment.

This blog was written in May, 2014, and was updated November, 2023, to reflect current trends and best practices.