Car Registration

Registering for the First Time

If you're registering your vehicle in Tennessee for the first time, your registration process will vary depending on whether you purchased your vehicle from a dealership or an individual.

If you purchased your vehicle from a dealership, the dealer will handle all paperwork for you and you'll be charged the applicable fees right there. If you purchased your vehicle from an individual, you'll need to take care of the registration and titling at your local county clerk's office.

What To Take

If your vehicle is new, you'll need to take:

• Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO)

• New vehicle invoice

• A copy of your current registration if you're transferring your plate

If your vehicle is used, you'll need to take:

• Certificate of Title

• Odometer Disclosure Statement

• A copy of your current registration if you're transferring your plate

Regardless of whether your vehicle is new or used, you must submit proof of identification and proof of residency.

Fees

Whether you purchased your vehicle from a dealership or individual, the fees will be the same:

• Title: $10.50, including $3 clerk fee

• Registration: $24, including $2.50 clerk fee (Shelby County's registration fee is $23 including the $1.50 clerk fee)

• Optional specialty license plate: $35 for specialty plate and an $35 to have it personalized

Renewing Your Registration

The Department of Revenue mails renewal notices a month or so before it's time for you to renew; however, they stress these notices are courtesies and not requirements. Therefore, keep track of your expiration date on your own.

Once it's time for you to renew, head to your county clerk's office with your notice or current registration, and the $24 payment.

Or, you may renew by mailing your payment and form to your county clerk's office.

Some residents may also renew online. Simply use the drop-down box to find your county's page. If your county offers online renewals, it will appear as "Plate Renewals" in the left-hand column.

Out-of-state Issues

Depending on the county in which you live, if you're a new resident you must have emission checks performed on your vehicle before you can register it in Tennessee.

Visit our Smog and Emission Check section to find out if an emissions check is required.

Once that's taken care of, you must obtain and complete a Certificate of Title and Registration. This form isn't available online; you can take care of it at your county clerk's office. Take any lienholder information, your out-of-state title, proof of identification and residency, and the appropriate fees.

Military personnel should refer to our Military Drivers section as well as Tennessee's Instructions for Military Personnel for specific registration and renewal information.

Financial Responsibility

You may be surprised to find out that Tennessee doesn't require any kind of liability insurance to get a driver's license or to register your vehicle. However, you do have to comply with the Financial Responsibility Law.

Under this law, you can have your driver's license suspended if you do not have proof of financial responsibility in the event of a moving violation or motor vehicle accident that results in $50 in property damages, injury, or death, regardless of who is at fault.

Simply put, financial responsibility means that you must have some form of evidence, such as proof of insurance (an insurance card or statement from an insurance company that does business in Tennessee) or proof from the Department of Safety (DOS) that you have placed a deposit or bond covering the minimum requirements.

Non-Operational Vehicles

Tennessee doesn't have a special type of registration for vehicles that are non-operable or being put into storage.

If you let a registration lapse and then decide to reinstate it, you'll need to complete an affidavit indicating the vehicle was not in use during the lapse. Then take the form to a county clerk's office.

However, be aware you'll have to pay the registration fees for the whole time the vehicle was not in service, besides the current registration fee.

RELATED SECTIONS

• Tennessee Boat Registration
• Tennessee RV and Motorhome Registration
• Tennessee Title Transfers
• Salvaged Vehicles
• Registration FAQs