Car Registration

First-time Title and Registration

Getting a new car, motorcycle, or mobile home is very exciting―until you deal with the paperwork and fees associated with registering it with the state.

Most new car dealerships will handle the majority of the process for you, but you may be called upon to do it on your own if you purchased the vehicle from a private owner. Fear not, however, as the forms and fees are not as overwhelming as you may think, especially when you make an appointment at your local MVD office, as the process must be done there.

First, fill out the Title and Registration Application. Second, gather the signed and notarized vehicle title, lien release (if appropriate), applicable papers (Power of Attorney, etc.), and fees.

Registration Fees

Several fees are standard for all vehicles:

• Title fee - $4

• Registration fee - $8

• Air quality research fee - $1.50

The variable fee comes in the form of the vehicle license tax (VLT), which is assessed instead of the personal property tax that many other states charge. It is based on the manufacturer's base retail price of the automobile, but takes into account amortization, so you will pay a little less to register your vehicle each year.

If you are interested in the math, it is best to work with an example. Let's say you bought your car for $25,000. The MVD will take 60% of that value and reduce it 16.25% for each year that the vehicle has been registered in Arizona (the state will depreciate it only 15% if it was registered before August 1, 1998). The MVD then divides that number by 100. The quotient is multiplied by $2.80 if it is a new vehicle and $2.89 if it is a used vehicle. So your $25,000 automobile would have a VLT of $420 in the first year and $363.06 in the second. See how easy that was?
Mobile home owners pay a title fee of $7 alone.

Renewing Your Registration

Renewing your car or motorcycle can seem like a bother, but the Arizona MVD makes it simple, assuming you have your address and plate number in front of you. The online system is identical for all automobiles and takes just a few minutes―as well as a major credit card.

Nonoperational Vehicles

To avoid paying late fees, you must provide proof that your vehicle has been nonoperable by completing a Non-Use Certificate. Unfortunately, this form is not downloadable. You can snare one at any MVD office.

If your vehicle has been off the road for less than five years, you'll be asked to provide either a vehicle identification number or its license plate number. You may need to provide additional information if it has been off the road for more than five years.

For questions call:

• Phoenix: (602) 255-0072

• Tuscon: (520) 629-9808

• Elsewhere: (800) 251-5866