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How do I title & register a vehicle?
In the case of new residents, you must register your motor vehicle at the expiration of the time granted by reciprocity agreement between North Carolina and your prior state of residence (usually 30 days) or when gainful employment is accepted, whichever occurs first.
As a new resident of North Carolina, you will not be able to register your vehicle here until you apply for and receive your new North Carolina driver license or North Carolina ID card. North Carolina now issues driver licenses from a central location and mails them to applicants. After you apply for a driver license, you will receive a 20-day Temporary Driving Certificate to be used for driving purposes only until you receive your driver license. Your new license will be mailed within five to 10 days. You will be able to use your new license to register your vehicle in North Carolina.
Most Vehicle & License Plate Renewal Offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For a complete listing of offices visit the Office Locations Section.
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You must present a valid North Carolina Driver License or a North Carolina Identification Card to register a vehicle in North Carolina as stated in N.C. General Statute 20-52(a). North Carolina now issues driver licenses from a central location and mails them to applicants. After you apply for a driver license, you will receive a 20-day Temporary Driving Certificate to be used for driving purposes only until you receive your driver license. Your new license will be mailed within five to 10 days. You will be able to use your new license to register your vehicle in North Carolina.
* Please note: Military personnel and their dependents will be required to show their home state as defined by G.S. 20-4.04 (45). [Driver license or special identification card and an active military or dependent identification card.]
Valid driver licenses from other states may be accepted for vehicle registrations with documentation of the following:
- Military active duty stationed in N.C.;
- College enrollment in an N.C. school;
- Vehicle garaged in N.C. for a minimum of 6 months each year;
- Court-ordered sale of a vehicle;
- Vehicle is co-owned;
- Registration for a motor home; or
- Documented medical condition
NOTE: If there are multiple owners to be recorded on a title and only one owner is delivering the paperwork, please bring the alternate owner’s valid ID/ Driver’s License or a copy thereof.
All signatures are still required on all forms (see remaining steps).
For information on how to get your North Carolina Driver License visit Driver Services:
Driving Public: Applying for a Driver License?
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Listed below are the four different aspects of registering a vehicle within North Carolina.
To register a vehicle purchased from an individual:
- Furnish the title properly assigned, and notarized to you. If any liens are shown on the front of the vehicle's title, you will need a lien release.
- Complete the
 Title Application (MVR-1),
declaring all liens, signed by all owners in the presence of a notary.
- If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, you must supply an odometer disclosure statement signed by both the seller and the buyer.
- A Damage Disclosure Statement (MVR-181)
is required.
- The title will be issued and mailed to the owner or if a lien is declared, to the lienholder.
- If purchased from a North Carolina resident, the owner has to have the vehicle inspected in North Carolina prior to a license plate being issued. If purchased from an individual that resides out of state, the owner will be issued a plate without having the vehicle inspected in N.C. The plate will not be eligible for renewal one year later unless the vehicle has passed a N.C. inspection.
- A Declaration of Eligible Risk (MVR-615) is required.
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To register a vehicle previously titled in another state in the same owners name:
- Furnish the out-of-state title issued in applicant's name.
- Complete the Title Application (MVR-1),
declaring all liens, signed in the presence of a notary.
- If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, you must declare an odometer statement reading on the Title Application.
- The owner will be issued a plate without having the vehicle inspected in N.C. The plate will not be eligible for renewal one year later unless the vehicle has passed a N.C. inspection.
- The North Carolina title will be issued and mailed to the owner.
- A Declaration of Eligible Risk (MVR-615) is required.
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To register a vehicle with an out-of-state title held by a recorded lienholder:
- Furnish the current out-of-state registration in your name.
- Complete the Title Application (MVR-1),
declaring all liens, signed in the presence of a notary.
- If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, you must declare an odometer reading on the Title Application.
- The owner will be issued a plate without having the vehicle inspected in N.C. The plate will not be eligible for renewal one year later unless the vehicle has passed a N.C. inspection.
- A form MVR-57 will be issued and given to the registered owner to send to the lienholder. That form
will authorize the lienholder to release the title to the DMV. Upon receipt of the out-of-state title,
a North Carolina title will be issued and mailed to the lienholder.
- A Declaration of Eligible Risk (MVR-615) is required.
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To register a vehicle purchased from a dealer:
- Furnish the titling document properly assigned, and notarized to you.
NOTE: A titling document may include but is not limited to: A North Carolina title, an out of state title and A Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)
- Complete the Title Application (MVR-1),
declaring all liens, signed in the presence of a notary.
- If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, you must supply an odometer disclosure statement signed by both the seller and the buyer.
- A Damage Disclosure Statement (MVR-181) is required.
- A bill of sale is needed showing the vehicle's purchase price.
- The title will be issued and mailed to the owner or if a lien is declared, to the lienholder.
- A Declaration of Eligible Risk (MVR-615) is required.
- If purchased from a dealership in N.C., the vehicle must be inspected in North Carolina prior to a license plate being issued. If purchased from an out of state dealership, the owner will be issued a plate without having the vehicle inspected in N.C. The plate will not be eligible for renewal one year later unless the vehicle has passed a N.C. inspection.
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The fees charged to title & register a vehicle are as follows:
| Title & Register |
Fee |
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| Certificate of Title |
$40.00 |
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| Instant Title |
$75.00 |
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| License Plate Registration Fee for Private Passenger Vehicles |
$28.00 |
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| License Plate Registration Fee for Private Truck Under 4,000 lbs |
$28.00 |
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| Regional Transportation Authority Registration Tax for Vehicles Registered in WAKE, DURHAM, & ORANGE Counties |
$5.00 |
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| Transfer of Plate |
$15.00 |
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Highway Use Tax: Based on Vehicle's Purchase Price or Value
For a detailed explanation of Highway Use Tax (HUT), you can view our Vehicle Titling & Registration: Highway Use Tax Section. |
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Registering and Titling Fees:
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When registering and titling your vehicle a title fee of $40 and a registration fee of $28 for
private passenger automobiles is due in order to obtain a license plate and validation decals.
When registering and titling a private truck under 4,000 pound a registration fee of $28.00 is
due in order to obtain a license plate and validation decals. License plate fees for other
types of vehicles are based upon plate classification.
For fees regarding Commercial Plates please call 919-715-7000.
For fees regarding IRP plates please call 919-861-3720.
For fees regarding For Hire Plates please call 919-861-3577.
For a more in depth explanation of fees associated with Vehicle Titling & Registration visit
the Vehicle Titling & Registration: Title/Plate Fees Section
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Instant Title Fee:
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An instant or fast title may be issued over the counter at the Raleigh and Charlotte state operated
offices. The title fee for an instant title is $75.00.
Additionally, an instant title may be requested at a Vehicle and License Plate Renewal Office for a
title fee of $75.00 and the title will be mailed from the Raleigh Headquarters office the next
business day. Check out our Office Locations Section regarding
Vehicle and License Plate Renewal Offices.
Note: An instant title may not be issued for a duplicate title application,
a duplicate title with transfer application or a title application by affidavits (when the original
title was assigned and lost).
For a more in depth explanation of Instant Titles you can view our
Vehicle Titling & Registration: Instant Title Section.
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Regional Transportation Authority Registration Tax:
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The Regional Transportation Authority Registration Tax ($5.00) applies to vehicles registered in
Wake, Durham and Orange Counties. Residents applying for title and license in WAKE, DURHAM
and ORANGE Counties must pay an additional $5.00 for funding of the Regional Transportation
Authority.
The additional $5.00 fee is due on the following vehicle classifications:
- Private Passenger Vehicles
- Private Motorcycles
- U-Drive It Passenger Vehicles
- Limousine Vehicles
- Common Carriers, Contract Carriers
- Exempt For-Hire Passenger Carrier Vehicles
- Property Hauling (farm vehicles)
- Manufacturer & Motor Vehicle Dealers
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Transfer of Plate
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When the vehicle for which a plate is issued is disposed of, the owner, if insured, can attach the
plate to another vehicle of like vehicle category and operate such vehicle for period of 20 days
while he is in the process of having such record transferred with the Division of Motor Vehicles.
If the vehicle has not been disposed of, then the plate transfer to another vehicle must be
recorded with the division and a new registration card obtained in advance of operation.
For a more detailed explanation of the Transfer of a License Plate you can view our
Transferring a License Plate Section.
The vehicle for which the plate is being transferred to must have a current inspection before the
plate can be transferred.
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Highway Use Tax:
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North Carolina collects a 3% Highway Use Tax on vehicles in lieu of a state sales tax (General Statute
105-187.2). The tax is assessed each time a title is transferred. The maximum tax for commercial
vehicles (vehicles with a weight greater than 26,000 pounds) is $1,000.00. All other vehicles are
charged 3% with no ceiling.
For a more detailed explanation of the Highway Use Tax (HUT) you can view our
Vehicle Titling & Registration: Highway Use Tax Section.
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Insurance requirements within North Carolina require that you provide a proof of insurance
when registering your vehicle.
Acceptable proofs of insurance include:
- Owner provides insurance company name and policy number (Self Certification)
- Or a Certificate of Insurance (FS-1), obtained from an Insurance Company that is licensed to do
business in North Carolina.
Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements for Licensing:
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The minimum requirements of liability insurance for a private passenger vehicle is $30,000
for bodily injury for one person; $60,000 bodily injury for two or more people and $25,000
property damage. North Carolina law requires each company to notify the DMV when coverage
has been cancelled.
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For a more in depth explanation of Insurance Requirements visit
Vehicle Titling & Registration: Insurance Requirements
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NASCAR Plates Available online
Order Here!
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The IRS requires:
Purchasers of imported heavy vehicles to pay a 12% Federal Excise Tax to the IRS.
Filing of Heavy Highway Use Tax Returns electronically for taxpayers who register 25 or more vehicles.
www.irs.gov
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Methods of Payment
We will accept cash, money order or checks with two (2) forms of ID. Checks will need to be written in Blue or Black ink. We do not accept starter checks. For further information concerning check verification, call 919-715-7000.
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