Registration Renewal in Utah

UT Vehicle Registration Renewal

When your Utah vehicle registration certificate is set to expire, it's your responsibility to renew it with the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Below you'll find the information needed to assist you through Utah's registration renewal process.

If you've already renewed your registration, you can check the status of your renewal by contacting the UT DMV.

Utah Registration Renewal Notice

The UT DMV will mail or email a renewal notice several weeks prior to your vehicle registration certificate's expiration date. Your registration expires after 1 year, within the month from which it was originally registered.

Didn't Receive a Renewal Notice?

Even if you do not receive your UT registration renewal notice, you are still obligated to renew your Utah registration certificate before it expires.

You do not need a registration renewal notice to renew your registration; you will simply need to renew in person or online (if eligible). See “Renew Your UT Vehicle Registration" below.

If would prefer to receive a registration renewal notice, call the UT DMV at:

  • (800) 368-8824.
  • TDD for hearing impaired: (801) 297-2020.

Renew Your UT Vehicle Registration

The Utah DMV gives you three convenient registration renewal options:

  • Online.
  • By mail.
  • In person.

If your UT vehicle registration certificate is only a few days away from expiring, renew in person. You'll receive a new registration certificate and decal on the spot.

DID YOU KNOW?: Proof of car insurance may be REQUIRED when renewing your registration!

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Renew Online

To be eligible for Utah's online vehicle registration renewal option, or what the DMV refers to as Renewal Express, your vehicle must:

  • Be currently registered with the Division of Motor Vehicles.
  • Be on file with Renewal Express.
  • NOT have any exemptions to your renewal fees.
  • NOT have recently changed owners.

To register, visit the Renewal Express website and enter the PIN listed on your registration renewal notice.

If you cannot locate your renewal notice, you can still use the online option, but you'll instead need to enter:

  • Your last name.
  • Your zip code.
  • Your license plate number.
  • The last 8 digits of your vehicle identification number (VIN).

You may, depending on the model year of your vehicle, also be asked to provide proof of passing a safety inspection and/or emissions test.

  • You must have a valid safety inspection if your vehicle qualifies. Review our Smog Check and Car Inspection in Utah page to see if your vehicle is required to receive a safety inspection. 
  • If you reside in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah or Weber County, you will need to provide proof of passing an emissions test.
    • Learn more about both exams in “Utah Vehicle Inspections" below.

You'll need a valid credit or debit card for payment of your registration fees. Your new Utah registration certificate and decal will be mailed to you.

Renew by Mail

You must have a registration renewal notice to utilize mail-in renewal. To renew your Utah registration by mail, gather the following:

  • Your registration renewal notice.
  • Proof of passing a safety inspection and/or emissions test, if applicable (see “Utah Vehicle Inspections" below).
  • A check or money order to cover your registration renewal fee.

Mail your documents and payment to the address listed on your registration renewal form.

Renew in Person

If you prefer to renew your registration in person, visit your local UT DMV office with:

  • Your Utah registration renewal notice, OR your current UT vehicle registration certificate.
  • Proof of passing a safety inspection and/or emissions test, if applicable. See “Utah Vehicle Inspections" below for more information.
  • Payment to cover registration renewal fees (see “Registration Renewal Fees" below).

For ultra convenience, the Utah DMV also offers On the Spot locations that handle both registration renewal and vehicle and/or emission inspections.

Registration Renewal Fees in UT

The Utah DMV charges two types of vehicle registration fees:

  • Age-based uniform fee.
  • A 1% or 1.5% uniform fee.

Age-Based Uniform Fee

This fee, which is based on a vehicle's age, applies to:

  • Passenger vehicles.
  • Motorcycles.
  • Off-highway vehicles (OHV), such as snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVS). Learn more about OHV registrations on our Special Vehicles page.
  • Trailer (travel, non-commercial, tent) and truck campers.

1% or 1.5% Uniform Fee

This fee is based on a vehicle's taxable value multiplied by either 1% or 1.5%.

  • The 1.5% uniform fee applies to: commercial trailers and heavy- and medium-duty trucks.
  • The 1% uniform fee applies to motor homes.

The DMV determines a vehicle's taxable value by its:

  • Percent good factor, which is calculated by the Utah Tax Commission and based on a particular model's depreciation rate.
  • Original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).

The MSRP is then multiplied by the percent good factor to arrive at a vehicle's taxable value. And then, depending on the vehicle's type, its taxable value is multiplied by either 1% or 1.5%.

Registration Renewal Fees by Vehicle

Passenger Vehicles

  • Less than 3 years old: $150.
  • 3 to less than 6 years old: $110.
  • 6 to less than 9 years old: $80.
  • 9 to less than 12 years old: $50.
  • 12 years old or older: $10.

Visit the Utah DMV website for a complete list of all motor vehicle fees.

Utah Vehicle Inspections

Depending on your passenger vehicle's model year and your county of residence, you may need to provide proof of your vehicle passing a safety inspection and/or an emissions test before renewing your vehicle registration.

UT Safety Inspections

Utah safety inspections are ONLY required for the following types of vehicles:

  • Salvage vehicle owners who are requesting a rebuilt vehicle title. 
  • Commercial vehicles. 
  • Street-legal ATV.
  • School bus.
  • Bus or van for hire.
  • Ground transportation service provider.
  • Three or more axles.

Bring your vehicle at a Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS)-approved safety inspection station if an inspection is required. For more information about safety inspections and inspection station locations, contact DPS at (801) 965-4889. The maximum safety inspection fee is $40. 

UT Emission Tests

Only residents of the following counties require proof of passing an emissions test:

  • Davis.
  • Salt Lake.
  • Utah.
  • Weber.

To learn more about emission test requirements, visit our Smog & Emission Tests page.

Military Members & Registration Renewal

If you're a Utah resident serving in the military and you're stationed outside of the state, you may renew your UT registration online or by mail (see “Renew Your UT Vehicle Registration" above).

Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for one the following registration renewal exemptions:

Emissions Inspection Exemption:

To qualify, complete an Exemption of Utah Safety and Emission Requirements for Vehicles Not in Utah (Form TC-810).

If you're stationed in an area that requires emission checks (the back of the form provides a list of jurisdictions across the country that require smog tests), have your vehicle tested and provide proof of passing inspection, along with the completed exemption application, to one of the addresses listed on the form.

Safety Inspection Exemption:

Complete an Exemption of Utah Safety and Emission Requirements for Vehicles Not in Utah (Form TC-810) and send it to one of the addresses posted on the back of the form.

If the state where you're stationed requires safety checks (this will be noted on the back of the form), you'll need to have your vehicle inspected there and provide proof of it to the UT DMV.

Obtain a Duplicate Registration or Plate

Replace a UT Vehicle Registration Certificate

If you've lost your UT registration certificate, or it has been damaged or destroyed, you must replace it immediately.

To replace, visit your local DMV office with:

  • Your Utah driver's license.
  • Payment for any applicable duplicate registration fee.

Replace a UT License Plate and/or Decal

If your Utah license plate and/or sticker has been damaged or gone missing, you need to order a replacement immediately.

To order, visit your local DMV office with:

  • Your Utah vehicle registration certificate.
  • Either your license plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • Payment for one of the following license fees:
    • Vanity license plate: $18.
    • Standard license plate: $15.50.
    • Special group license plate: $20.50.
    • License plate decal: $5.
    • Off-highway vehicle decal: $8

You can also order a duplicate license plate and/or decal by mail. To do so, you'll need:

  • A handwritten request letter.
  • A copy of your Utah registration certificate.
  • A check or money order (payable to “Utah State Tax Commission") for one of the license plate fees listed above, plus a $4 mailing fee (postage fee is waived for a vanity license plate).

Mail documents and check to:

Division of Motor Vehicles
Mail and Correspondence
P.O. Box 30412
Salt Lake City, UT 84130

Forms

TC-810
Exemption of Utah Safety and Emission Requirements for Vehicles Not in Utah
Claim exemption from Utah's required safety AND/OR emissions inspection(s) if your vehicle meets the qualifications outlined on this DMV form.
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