1. 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.
   
   
2. Complete the Title Application (MVR-1), declaring all liens, signed in the presence of a notary.
   
   
3. If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, you must supply an odometer disclosure statement signed by both the seller and the buyer.
   
   
4. A Damage Disclosure Statement (MVR-181) is required.
   
   
5. The title will be issued and mailed to the owner or if a lien is declared, to the lienholder.
   
   
6. If the vehicle is coming from out-of-state, the owner has 10 days to have vehicle inspected in North Carolina.
   
   
7. A Declaration of Eligible Risk (MVR-615) is required.

1. Furnish the out-of-state title issued in applicant's name.
   
   
2. Complete the Title Application (MVR-1), declaring all liens, signed in the presence of a notary.
   
   
3. If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, you must declare an odometer statement reading on the Title Application.
   
   
4. Once a license plate is issued, the owner has 10 days to have the vehicle inspected in North Carolina.
   
   
5. The North Carolina title will be issued and mailed to the owner.
   
   
6. A Declaration of Eligible Risk (MVR-615) is required.

1. Furnish the current out-of-state registration in your name.
   
   
2. Complete the Title Application (MVR-1), declaring all liens, signed in the presence of a notary.
   
   
3. If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, you must declare an odometer reading on the Title Application.
   
   
4. Once a license plate is issued, the owner has 10 days to have the vehicle inspected in North Carolina.
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
6. A Declaration of Eligible Risk (MVR-615) is required.

1. Furnish the title properly assigned, and notarized to you.
   
   
2. Complete the Title Application (MVR-1), declaring all liens, signed in the presence of a notary.
   
   
3. If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, you must supply an odometer disclosure statement signed by both the seller and the buyer.
   
   
4. A Damage Disclosure Statement (MVR-181) is required.
   
   
5. A bill of sale is needed showing the vehicle's purchase price.
   
   
6. The title will be issued and mailed to the owner or if a lien is declared, to the lienholder.
   
   
7. A Declaration of Eligible Risk (MVR-615) is required.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.