How to Renew Your Car Registration
Car registration costs and renewal periods vary by state, but you can easily renew your car registration by sending in the right forms and documents.
Written by Cheryl Knight
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
Table of Contents
Depending on your state, you will need to renew your vehicle registration annually or biennially. You will receive a registration renewal notice in the mail when it's time.
Car registration
fees are used to help pay for DMV department costs and a variety of different infrastructure projects in the U.S. In order to lawfully operate a vehicle in the U.S., you need to keep your car registration up to date. Renewal periods and fees vary by state.To learn more about the car registration renewal process, read this guide by
car insurance
broker and comparison shopping app Jerry
.Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
The car registration renewal process
After you pay your initial car registration fees upon
buying
or leasing
a car, you may find that you later receive a registration renewal notice in the mail. This can happen when moving to a new state, or you might need to renew your car registration annually or biennially, depending on the state where you live.Here's how to complete the car registration renewal process:
Step 1: Complete the renewal notice. When you receive the renewal notice in the mail, make sure to include any change of address if you've moved since you last registered your car. Most renewal notices list a date by which you need to renew the registration by mail. Otherwise, you need to visit a local DMV or county clerk's office to renew in person.
Step 2: Include the necessary details. When renewing, you need to include some vital pieces of information such as your driver's license number and car license plate number.
Step 3: Pass any inspections. In addition, some states require a vehicle inspection, smog check, or emission test as part of the car registration renewal process.
Some states do not require these inspections, checks, or tests every year. If you need one, your renewal notice will say so.
Step 4: Submit documents. Once you have obtained all of the required documents, place them in an envelope along with the renewal form and the payment.
If you're visiting a local DMV or county clerk's office, have the forms and your payment ready for the agent.
MORE: Insurance requirements for car registration
Car renewal registration fees and renewal times
Car registration renewal fees vary by state, with each one charging either a flat fee or one determined by taking into account your vehicle's age, weight, and/or value.
In addition, how often you need to renew your car registration differs by state. Keep in mind that the total registration cost can also vary across a state due to local fees.
FAQs
Where do I renew my registration?
Most of the time, you can mail in your registration renewal with the notice you receive. You may also have an online option for renewal. If you can't, check with your local DMV.
What do I need to renew my car registration?
State requirements may vary, but generally, you will need a registration renewal notice,
proof of insurance
, a receipt of paid personal property tax, and the registration fee to renew your car registration.RECOMMENDED
Saved $725 annuallySaved $834 annuallySaved $668 annually
Haven’t shopped for insurance in the last six months? There might be hundreds $$$ in savings waiting for you.
Judith switched to Progressive
Saved $725 annually
Alexander switched to Travelers
Saved $834 annually
Annie switched to Nationwide
Saved $668 annuallyCheck if you are overpaying for car insurance.
No phone calls. No long forms. Quotes from 50+ insurance companies.
Find insurance savings
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.7You might also be interested
