Registering your vehicle is important because it allows states to determine ownership and provide data when tracking a criminal or assessing taxes. It also allows the state to regularly check if a vehicle is complying with its safety and emissions standards.
If you intend to register your vehicle in a certain state, you have to remember that your license needs to be from the same state. This is because most states don’t allow non-residents to register their vehicles. But what if you have homes in two states? Where do you register your car?
The most straightforward answer would be to simply register your car in the state where you drive the most. This could be the same state as the address printed on your driver’s license or the address that you’ve listed as your primary mailing address.
You can also consider the registration fees and insurance rates of each state. You could save yourself some money because some states offer cheaper insurance rates and registration fees. Additionally, each state has its own laws when it comes to vehicle registration requirements. States like California, for example, have strict muffler laws where any modification to the original muffler is considered illegal.
When registering your car in the state you’ve chosen, make sure all the documents you fill out during registration use the same primary address.
What To Do If You’ve Recently Moved Into A New State?
If you’ve recently relocated to a new state, you might be wondering when you’ll need to register your vehicle. The answer depends on a number of factors, including the laws of the state you’ve moved to and how long you intend to stay. You should check with the DMV in the state where you’ve relocated to learn about its special requirements for car registration.
In most circumstances, you must register your car in the new state within 30 days of relocating. There are, however, some states that have exceptions to this rule. California, for example, requires you to register your car within 20 days of moving there. If you’re only going to be in the new state for a short time (less than 90 days), you may not be required to register your car.
States That Allow Non-Residents to Register
Most states only allow residents to register their vehicles in the same state. However, several states allow non-residents to register their vehicles there. These include:
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New York
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
The registration requirements for each of these states vary. Luckily, the registration requirements of each state are available online, so make sure to do your own research.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
