How To Register And Title A Car In Virginia

Did you just purchase a car in Virginia or recently made a move and now call the state home? If that'south the case, you're responsible for registering your auto in Virginia. If you lot bought a car at a dealership, this may be taken off your plate. Simply if you lot bought a car in Virginia from a private party or moved to the state, yous demand to update your paperwork. Here'south 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 like you demand to obtain your commuter's license to drive a car, you actually are required by law to annals your car in the land where you live too. Why? Too it beingness the law, information technology's a way to connect you as the driver with your vehicle.

As y'all tin imagine, this can come in handy in cases of theft or loss. Too when yous get pulled over, yous're required to mitt over your registration equally well to prove that y'all're the possessor 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 weather condition are:

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

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

What do I demand to register my machine in Virginia?

If you're wondering "What practise 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 state, you'll need to complete the Application for Title and Registration (VSA 17A)
The Application for Registration form (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, Manassas or Manassas Park, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles)
Come across minimum insurance requirements (more on that after)
You lot'll need your Virginia commuter's license (if you're a new resident, you lot'll need to use for a VA license inside 60 days of your move)
Get a new vehicle safety inspection sticker, if you're a new Virginia resident
Obtain new Virginia license plates
Yous may need to register your car in your locality

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

How to register a car in Virginia?

If you're curious how to annals a car in Virginia, here are the steps to get started if you're a new resident:

Apply for a Virginia driver'southward license.
Apply for a Virginia championship inside thirty days of moving. Complete and submit the Application for Championship and Registration (VSA 17A).
You'll need proof of Virginia residence.
Become a vehicle condom inspection sticker.
Have the Vehicle Price Certification (Bill of Auction) (SUT 1) with signatures from both the seller and heir-apparent.
Get an emissions inspection, if applicable.
Have proof of insurance.
Pay registration fees (more on that below).

If yous're already a resident but purchased a vehicle from a private political party, you lot'll need to have:

Virginia title with the "Assignment of Title by Owner" and "Awarding for New Owner Certificate of Title and Registration" parts filled out.
Make full out and submit the Application for Registration (class VSA fourteen).
Get an emissions inspection, if applicable.
Accept proof of insurance.
Pay registration fees (more on that below).

Once you're registered, you can sign-upward for e-notifications to get registration renewal reminders. You can make the process even easier by applying for registration online. If you're late, yous could exist hit with a $10 belatedly fee.

How much does registering a car in Virginia cost?

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

A $fifteen titling fee
A fee sales and apply tax starting at $75 and upwardly, based on the car's sale toll
A Virginia registration fee betwixt $thirty.75 to $35.75 for rider vehicles

On summit of that, yous may need to pay additional fees. Y'all tin can encounter the full list 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 guild to register your car, yous'll demand to have the following minimum insurance coverage:

$25,000 in the case of injury or death for a single person
$50,000 in the case of injury or death for 2 people or greater
$xx,000 in the case of property impairment

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

The bottom line

If you got a new set up of wheels or moved to Virginia, it'due south time to update your car registration. Be sure to get together your documents ahead of time and apply for the state championship and make sure the heir-apparent and seller sign the grade. If you're a new resident, getting your license, Virginia title, and minimum car insurance will help y'all get started.

While you're at it, you can 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 drive. Why pay more if you bulldoze less? Grab your gratis quote from Metromile today.

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