How To Register My Vehicle In Virginia

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

How to Register a Car in Virginia | Metromile

Why is registering a machine in Virginia required?

Only like you need to obtain your driver'south license to drive a motorcar, you actually are required past law to register your car in the country where you lot live as well. Why? As well it being the police force, it's a fashion to connect you every bit the driver with your vehicle.

As yous tin can imagine, this can come in handy in cases of theft or loss. Also when you get pulled over, you're required to hand over your registration as well to evidence that you're the owner of the vehicle.

Who must take part in registering a car in Virginia?

Registering a car in Virginia is a requirement but can be triggered under certain conditions. Typically these conditions are:

You purchase a vehicle from a individual party
You move to the state of Virginia and must update your records
You lot're up for registration renewal

If you lot purchase a vehicle from a dealership, they typically handle the registration part for you. However, it's of import to notation that it can take upwardly to thirty days for the paperwork to process.

What practice I demand to register my car in Virginia?

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

Your Virginia car title (if you're new to the land, you lot'll need to complete the Application for Title and Registration (VSA 17A)
The Application for Registration form (form VSA xiv)
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, Manassas or Manassas Park, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles)
See minimum insurance requirements (more than on that later on)
Y'all'll need your Virginia commuter's license (if you lot're a new resident, you'll need to employ for a VA license within 60 days of your move)
Go a new vehicle safety inspection sticker, if you're a new Virginia resident
Obtain new Virginia license plates
You may need to register your car in your locality

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

How to annals a automobile in Virginia?

If y'all're curious how to register a car in Virginia, here are the steps to become started if y'all're a new resident:

Apply for a Virginia driver's license.
Apply for a Virginia title within 30 days of moving. Complete and submit the Awarding for Championship and Registration (VSA 17A).
You'll need proof of Virginia residence.
Become a vehicle safety inspection sticker.
Have the Vehicle Toll Certification (Pecker of Sale) (SUT ane) with signatures from both the seller and buyer.
Go an emissions inspection, if applicable.
Have proof of insurance.
Pay registration fees (more on that below).

If you're already a resident merely purchased a vehicle from a individual party, you'll demand to take:

Virginia title with the "Assignment of Championship by Owner" and "Application for New Owner Certificate of Title and Registration" parts filled out.
Fill out and submit the Application for Registration (course VSA 14).
Get an emissions inspection, if applicative.
Accept proof of insurance.
Pay registration fees (more on that beneath).

One time you lot're registered, you can sign-upwardly for e-notifications to get registration renewal reminders. You tin make the procedure even easier by applying for registration online. If you're belatedly, you could be hit with a $10 late fee.

How much does registering a motorcar in Virginia cost?

There are diverse registration fees you must pay when registering a car in Virginia including:

A $fifteen titling fee
A fee sales and use tax starting at $75 and up, based on the automobile's auction price
A Virginia registration fee between $thirty.75 to $35.75 for passenger vehicles

On meridian of that, you lot may need to pay additional fees. You can come across the full listing of registration fees in Virginia here.

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

The state of Virginia has minimum insurance requirements for its drivers. In gild to register your automobile, you'll need to have the following minimum insurance coverage:

$25,000 in the case of injury or decease for a single person
$50,000 in the case of injury or death for ii people or greater
$twenty,000 in the case of property damage

If you don't terminate up doing that you'll be on the claw for a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee.

The bottom line

If you got a new set of wheels or moved to Virginia, it'south time to update your machine registration. Be sure to gather your documents ahead of time and apply for the state championship and brand sure the heir-apparent and seller sign the class. If y'all're a new resident, getting your license, Virginia championship, and minimum machine insurance will help you lot become started.

While you're at it, yous can bank check out low-cost pay-per-mile auto insurance. You pay a low base charge per unit plus a few cents per mile for each mile you drive. Why pay more than if you bulldoze less? Take hold of your gratis quote from Metromile today.

Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer, podcast host of the Mental Health and Wealth prove, and author of Dear Debt . She's a cat mom to two jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an amateur boxer, music lover, and needs java to function.