Need Virginia Driver License To Register Car?

Did yous just buy a motorcar in Virginia or recently made a move and now call the state home? If that'southward the case, yous're responsible for registering your motorcar in Virginia. If y'all bought a car at a dealership, this may be taken off your plate. Only if you bought a car in Virginia from a individual party or moved to the land, you need to update your paperwork. Here's your guide on how to register a motorcar in Virginia.

How to Register a Car in Virginia | Metromile

Why is registering a motorcar in Virginia required?

Simply like you need to obtain your driver's license to bulldoze a car, y'all actually are required by police force to register your car in the state where you live too. Why? As well it being the police, it'southward a way to connect yous equally the driver with your vehicle.

As you tin can imagine, this can come in handy in cases of theft or loss. Also when y'all become pulled over, you're required to manus over your registration too to prove that y'all're the owner of the vehicle.

Who must take office in registering a automobile in Virginia?

Registering a machine in Virginia is a requirement but can exist triggered under certain weather. Typically these weather condition are:

You buy a vehicle from a private party
You lot move to the country of Virginia and must update your records
You're up for registration renewal

If yous purchase a vehicle from a dealership, they typically handle the registration part for you. However, information technology'southward important to note that it can have upwards to 30 days for the paperwork to procedure.

What do I demand to register my car in Virginia?

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

Your Virginia car championship (if yous're new to the country, you'll need to complete the Awarding for Championship and Registration (VSA 17A)
The Application for Registration class (grade 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)
Meet minimum insurance requirements (more on that later)
You'll need your Virginia commuter'south license (if yous're a new resident, you'll need to apply for a VA license inside threescore days of your movement)
Get a new vehicle safety inspection sticker, if you lot're a new Virginia resident
Obtain new Virginia license plates
You may demand to register 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 register a car in Virginia?

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

Apply for a Virginia driver'due south license.
Use for a Virginia title inside thirty days of moving. Complete and submit the Awarding for Title and Registration (VSA 17A).
You'll demand proof of Virginia residence.
Get a vehicle safe inspection sticker.
Have the Vehicle Price Certification (Pecker 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 beneath).

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

Virginia title with the "Consignment of Title by Possessor" and "Awarding for New Owner Document of Title and Registration" parts filled out.
Fill out and submit the Application for Registration (form VSA 14).
Get an emissions inspection, if applicable.
Have proof of insurance.
Pay registration fees (more on that below).

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

How much does registering a car in Virginia cost?

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

A $xv titling fee
A fee sales and use tax starting at $75 and upwards, based on the car's sale cost
A Virginia registration fee between $xxx.75 to $35.75 for rider vehicles

On summit of that, you may demand to pay additional fees. You lot can see the total list of registration fees in Virginia here.

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

The state of Virginia has minimum insurance requirements for its drivers. In order to annals your car, you lot'll demand to have the following minimum insurance coverage:

$25,000 in the case of injury or death 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 damage

If y'all don't end up doing that you'll be on the hook for a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee.

The bottom line

If yous got a new set of wheels or moved to Virginia, it'south fourth dimension to update your auto registration. Be sure to gather your documents alee of time and utilize for the state title and brand sure the buyer and seller sign the form. If you're a new resident, getting your license, Virginia title, and minimum car insurance will help you go started.

While you're at information technology, you tin check out low-cost pay-per-mile car insurance. You pay a low base charge per unit plus a few cents per mile for each mile you bulldoze. Why pay more if yous drive less? Grab your free 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'due south a cat mom to ii jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an amateur boxer, music lover, and needs coffee to function.