Registration FAQs

What kinds of vehicles have to be registered?

You must register any car, snowmobile, trailer over 750 pounds, motorcycle, boat (including personal watercraft), truck, camper, or off-highway vehicle used in the state of Utah.

I just moved here. Can I get personalized plates?

To be eligible for personal plates, the vehicle must have a current Utah registration. Therefore, you'll need to do this first and then apply for personalized license plates. Check out the full details.

Why can't anyone just get disabled plates and park in the disabled parking spaces?

Aside from the bad karma, there are steep penalties for abusing disabled license plates. Fines start at $125 and can skyrocket based on the audacity of the offense, and anyone who sees you trot from the parking lot into the store can report you. The special parking privileges afforded by disabled plates and placards can only be used when a disabled person is riding in the car.

I bought a Mazda Miata and modified it to look like a Hummer H2. No one will mess with me, but do I need to do anything special to register it?

You sure do. This is considered a reconstructed vehicle, and you'll need to give the DMV the titles to the vehicles you dismantled to make the new one, bills of sale for parts, and an application form for a brand-new vehicle identification number (VIN). The DMV offers further detailed information on rebuilt and kit vehicles, too.

Do I need to pass an emissions inspection if I live in St. George?

In Utah, only residents of Utah, Weber, Salt Lake, and Davis counties are required to have their vehicles smog tested. Anywhere else and you're in the clear, so to speak.

There is no way I'll be able to retrofit my 1965 Mustang to pass an emissions test. What do I do?

Not to worry, you're off the hook. Model years 1967 and earlier are exempt from emissions inspections.

I don't need to register a Jet Ski, do I?

Actually, you do. All boats, including personal watercraft, must be registered. Find complete details at the Utah State Parks and Recreation department Web site.

In the summers we hit the trail on dirt bikes and ATVs. What are the rules about registering off-road vehicles?

All-terrain vehicles, off-road motorcycles, and snowmobiles must be registered through the Utah State Parks and Recreation department.

All I need to do when I get a new vehicle is register it, right?

There is one more critical step: insurance. All vehicles and vessels, even your Jet Ski, need to have it; it's illegal not to. Visit our Utah insurance page to find more information about what needs to be insured and for how much.

What if I lose my title?

You can get a replacement by submitting an Application for Duplicate Title and paying a $6 fee.

Where can I get a duplicate registration?

Check with your local DMV.

What if I need replacement license plates?

If your standard license plates are lost or stolen, you can get replacements by going to your local DMV with your most recent registration card and $10. You can also get replacements by mail. You'll need:

• A written request

• A copy of the registration certificate

• A check or money order for $13

Send all of the above to:

• Division of Motor Vehicles

• Mail and Correspondence

• 210 North 1950 West

• Salt Lake City, UT 84134

What if I didn't get my registration?

If you've used the online Renewal Express system, you'll want to have your printed confirmation paperwork on hand when you contact the DMV with your questions. If your problem is related to the online system not working correctly, you can submit a troubleshooting report directly through the Web site.

You can also contact the DMV by phone, e-mail, fax, or snail mail to inquire about the status of your transaction.

I’ve heard the IRS honors a tax deduction that has to do with my vehicle registration fees. Is this true?

Yes. The scoop is that the IRS counts a vehicle registration fee that's based on your vehicle's value as a personal property tax, which is deductible. This is true even if your state calls the fee a "registration fee" or a "vehicle use fee." Check out page 146 of the IRS's Publication 17 for more details.

But before you start entering your registration fees on line 7 of the 1040A form, double check to make sure your state calculates the car registration fee based on the car's value. For example, if your state charges you 1% of the car's value each year as a vehicle fee, and you pay $100 based on your car's value ($10,000), then you can deduct $100. If your state charges you for 1% of the car's value, plus a bunch of other miscellaneous fees, then you can still only deduct the $100. The fees might be itemized on your vehicle registration card or registration renewal form.

Other states ignore the car's value and charge only based on the vehicle weight; in those cases, you can't take the deduction.

If you aren't sure about whether the state charges this fee or you can't find the fee, contact your local motor-vehicle office. If you have questions about taking the deduction, call a tax professional or the IRS.

What's the skinny on non-operable vehicles?

You won't face any back taxes if you place your vehicle in storage and allow its registration to expire. As a precaution, you may want to notify your local DMV office. Otherwise you'll be contacted by Insure-Rite, a Salt Lake City-based company that hounds drivers over lapsed car insurance.

To re-register your vehicle, visit your local DMV office. Bring your old registration certificate and proof of car insurance.