How Long Do I Have To Register A Car In Virginia

Did you just buy a motorcar in Virginia or recently made a motion and now call the state home? If that's the instance, yous're responsible for registering your machine in Virginia. If you bought a automobile at a dealership, this may be taken off your plate. But if you bought a car in Virginia from a private party or moved to the country, you need to update your paperwork. Hither's your guide on how to register a car in Virginia.

How to Register a Car in Virginia | Metromile

Why is registering a car in Virginia required?

Just similar y'all need to obtain your driver's license to drive a car, you lot actually are required by law to register your auto in the state where yous live besides. Why? Too it being the police, it'south a fashion to connect y'all as the commuter with your vehicle.

As y'all tin can imagine, this tin come up in handy in cases of theft or loss. Also when you get pulled over, you're required to hand over your registration every bit well to bear witness that you're the owner of the vehicle.

Who must accept role in registering a car in Virginia?

Registering a motorcar in Virginia is a requirement only can be triggered under certain atmospheric condition. Typically these conditions are:

Yous buy a vehicle from a private political party
Yous motion to the state of Virginia and must update your records
Y'all're up for registration renewal

If you purchase a vehicle from a dealership, they typically handle the registration part for yous. However, it's important to annotation that information technology can accept up to 30 days for the paperwork to process.

What practice I demand to annals my car in Virginia?

If you're wondering "What practice I need to register my auto in Virginia?", here's a listing of things you'll need to get started:

Your Virginia car championship (if you're new to the state, you'll demand to complete the Awarding for Title and Registration (VSA 17A)
The Awarding for Registration course (form VSA 14)
An emissions inspection (if you're in the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, or Stafford or the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church building, Manassas or Manassas Park, co-ordinate to the Virginia Section of Motor Vehicles)
Meet minimum insurance requirements (more on that later)
Yous'll need your Virginia driver's license (if yous're a new resident, you'll need to apply for a VA license within threescore days of your move)
Get a new vehicle safety inspection sticker, if yous're a new Virginia resident
Obtain new Virginia license plates
Y'all may demand to annals your car in your locality

Those are the items required when registering a car in Virginia. But let's review how to register a car in Virginia.

How to annals a auto in Virginia?

If yous're curious how to register a car in Virginia, hither are the steps to get started if you lot're a new resident:

Apply for a Virginia driver's license.
Employ for a Virginia title within thirty days of moving. Complete and submit the Application for Title and Registration (VSA 17A).
You'll demand proof of Virginia residence.
Get a vehicle rubber inspection sticker.
Have the Vehicle Price Certification (Bill of Sale) (SUT 1) with signatures from both the seller and buyer.
Get an emissions inspection, if applicable.
Accept proof of insurance.
Pay registration fees (more on that below).

If you're already a resident but purchased a vehicle from a private party, you'll demand to have:

Virginia title with the "Consignment of Title past Possessor" and "Application for New Owner Certificate of Title and Registration" parts filled out.
Fill up out and submit the Application for Registration (course VSA fourteen).
Become an emissions inspection, if applicable.
Have proof of insurance.
Pay registration fees (more than on that below).

Once you're registered, yous tin sign-up for eastward-notifications to get registration renewal reminders. You can make the process fifty-fifty easier by applying for registration online. If you're tardily, you lot could be hit with a $10 tardily fee.

How much does registering a car in Virginia toll?

There are various registration fees you must pay when registering a motorcar in Virginia including:

A $15 titling fee
A fee sales and utilise tax starting at $75 and upwards, based on the automobile's sale price
A Virginia registration fee between $xxx.75 to $35.75 for passenger vehicles

On top of that, you may demand to pay additional fees. You can see the full listing of registration fees in Virginia here.

Is proof of insurance required for registering a car in Virginia?

The country of Virginia has minimum insurance requirements for its drivers. In guild to register your car, you'll demand to accept the following minimum insurance coverage:

$25,000 in the example of injury or expiry for a unmarried person
$50,000 in the case of injury or death for two people or greater
$20,000 in the case of property impairment

If you don't end upwards doing that you lot'll exist on the hook for a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee.

The bottom line

If you got a new ready of wheels or moved to Virginia, it'southward time to update your auto registration. Be sure to gather your documents alee of fourth dimension and apply for the state title and make sure the heir-apparent and seller sign the grade. If you lot're a new resident, getting your license, Virginia championship, and minimum car insurance volition help y'all get started.

While you're at it, you tin check out depression-cost pay-per-mile car insurance. You pay a low base rate plus a few cents per mile for each mile you bulldoze. Why pay more than if you lot drive less? Grab your free quote from Metromile today.

Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer, podcast host of the Mental Wellness and Wealth show, and author of Dear Debt . She's a cat mom to 2 jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an apprentice boxer, music lover, and needs coffee to role.