Vehicle registration is a requirement in almost every country as it plays a crucial role in maintaining the car’s safety and legality. It not only helps police in tracking a vehicle in case of theft but also the traffic offenders.
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Florida Vehicle Registration Renewal
Today, we’ll go over some of the reasons why car registration is so important and what is the legal procedure to obtain one.
What Is Vehicle Registration?
Registering your vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is mandatory in the U.S. You must complete this process whenever you buy a vehicle, relocate to another state, or renew your enlisting before its expiration.
A state uses registration information to determine a vehicle’s ownership, track criminal activity, or assess taxes. Once you pay the registration fee, you get the registration plates and certificates.
Every time you drive, you must have the registration certificate of your vehicle on hand. During a traffic stop, the law enforcement authority may demand to see it.
What is The Cost of Registering a Vehicle?
Payments to your state’s DMV department when registering a vehicle go toward supporting these organizations. Furthermore, the income might fund city and municipal services or state highways and patrols.
Every state calculates DMV fees differently, and their methods vary. While some states may use varied factors to calculate the fees, others apply flat fees to all vehicles. Some of these factors are:
- Weight, age, or mileage of the car
- Count of cars already registered in your name
- Horsepower of the vehicle.
Understand that the amount charged in different states can vary significantly. For example,
Florida vehicle registration renewal costs vary from $14 to $32, depending on the vehicle’s weight. You can even renew registration online at www.swift-tags.com. In Montana, you pay $217 for a 0-4-year-old car and $87 for a 5-10-year-old car.
These are just two examples; every state has its own rules, and you must contact the local DMV department of the state you live in for more details.
What are the Benefits of Registering your vehicle?
1. Proof of Ownership.
Automobile registration is a legal document that identifies you as the vehicle owner. The certificate of ownership proves you own the car. In most countries, driving without a registered plate number is an offense that comes with a penalty.
Before you purchase a pre-owned vehicle, demand the registration document. We strongly recommend staying away from private sellers and dealerships that do not have valid car registration.
2. The Car’s Registration Confirms its Age.
Buying a used car requires taking into consideration the age of the vehicle as it has a significant impact on its value. Some car dealers and private sellers try to hide car registration info.
Unscrupulous dealers may try to sell a stolen or illegal car purchased from the black market. Furthermore, they may ask for an absurdly high price for a quite old vehicle. Don’t proceed with such deals.
How to Register Your Car?
Registering your vehicle typically requires the following paperwork, although each state has its requirements:
- Lien title. Owners of outright vehicles will need to present their original title or lien. You must offer an original lien agreement for a financed car.
- Insurance proof. Most counties demand drivers to carry liability insurance in order to operate a vehicle on public roads. When registering your car, you must present your insurance proof to the registration office.
- A Valid Driver’s License. A vehicle can register only with an official driver’s license. If you don’t have one, apply for it first.
- Form of payment. To pay the registration fee or renew your registration, you must bring cash, a check, or a credit card.
- Bill of Sale. When you get a new automobile from a dealer, they issue a bill of sale as evidence of a transaction. You need to present this document during the registration process.
- Odometer Reading. You need to provide the odometer during the registration process. In some states, authorities also ask for car mileage.
An individual must obtain a car title and registration in the same manner as an insurance policy. These documents prove the vehicle is yours and not someone else’s. Vehicles without registration could be a subject of dispute.
Avoid purchasing cars without titles or registrations, and report to the police if the seller does not provide either of the two.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, registering your vehicle can be a complicated and expensive process. However, it is an essential part of ownership that helps protect you from fraud and recover stolen vehicles.
Do it now if you still haven’t registered your car or if it requires renewal. It may cost a few bucks, but you will have the peace of mind that police can trace it if someone hijacks it. Before purchasing, we also suggest you run a vehicle registration check to know all the hidden details about the car.
