Getting a Vehicle Registration and Title [How-to]

A vehicle registration is a mandatory certification that every vehicle must have so that it can be driven on public roads. After you've bought a vehicle, whether it's new or used, you must register it at the DMV office. The car will get a registration plate, that serves to make a distinction between different vehicles. Apart from the registration, there is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), that is unique to every single vehicle and that serves to that same purpose.

The registration card includes information about the vehicle and the owner and it is a proof that a vehicle meets all the technical, safety and emissions standards and that it is road worthy.

In order to get a vehicle registered, you need to prove that you are the owner, which is done by providing the vehicle title. Apart from that, you also need to provide a valid insurance.

The registration is also used by state authorities for taxation purposes. As registration in the US is handled by DMV's, state-level agencies, registration laws and regulations can be slightly different in each state.

If you were wondering whether a registration has an expiration date, the answer is yes. You have to renew it once a year and pay a registration fee. The expiration date is placed on a sticker that has to be displayed on a visible place on the vehicle's wind shield. The registration fee depends on the car's make, model and year. It's usually more expensive to register a new car, than an old one.

A car title, on the other hand, is a document that serves as a proof of ownership. Same as car registrations, titles are also issued by the DMV. The title includes some specifications of a vehicle, such as: the car year and make; the Vehicle Identification Number; its gross weight for taxation purposes; the license plate number; and the owner's name and address.

In a case when the vehicle is financed or leased, the title document which is in ownership of the lender, must be transferred to the the new owners only when the total is paid off. In some US states, the transferred title is sent directly to that individual, but the name of the lender can appear on the title additionally. In the case where the vehicle is sold, the title must be transferred to the new owner. This is achieved by requesting approval by the local DMV.

Some issues with registration and titling may arise due to the state-specific regulations that can vary from state to state.