How
To Register Your Car In The US
After you
purchase a new or used car the states require that you register the
vehicle with their Department of Motor Vehicles, or "DMV",
shortly after purchase, usually within 10-20 days.
The car
registration consists of the following items:
- a metal
license plate
- a serially
numbered validation decal - to be placed on the rear bumper
- a registration
certificate - keep at least one copy in your car at all times. You
may be asked to present it to a police officer in case of an accident
or traffic violation
If you
bought the car from a licensed dealer, you will need to pay a sales
tax and fees to the dealer, who will in turn register and title the
vehicle for you. If you buy the car from a private party, you must register
the car yourself and pay the taxes and fees directly to the DMV and/or
the county tax collector.
If you
will be registering the vehicle yourself you will need to bring the
following items to the DMV:
1. Proof
of insurance
2. Vehicle
title
3. Proof
of emissions inspection (for some counties)
4. Proof
of identity like driver's license or passport
5. Taxes
and fees if you bought the car from a private party.
6. Different
rules may apply if you are registering a foreign or out-of-state vehicle.
See the info for your state below:
Requirements
for registration and transferring title in different states:
Florida
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/faqmotor.html
!Some
Florida counties including Dade and Broward County require an emissions
inspection before the car can be registered. The inspection usually
costs $10.00.
California
Department of Motor Vehicles:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg343.htm
New
York Department of Motor Vehicles:
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/reg.htm
Texas
DMV:
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/VTR/vtrreginfo.htm?pg=faq
Illinois
DMV:
http://www.sos.state.il.us/depts/vehicles/veh_home.html
