A valid registration is mandatory for all motor vehicles. You have to maintain your vehicles’ registration with the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), and it must be renewed annually or after every two years.
If you never did a renewal of your vehicle’s registration, you must be wondering how to renew your car registration. So let’s find it out.
How Do I Renew My Car Registration?
Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure you have all the following documents with you:
· License Plate Number
· Last five digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or Hull Identification Number (HIN)
· Renewal notice having current address
· Credit, debit, or e-check payment information
You can apply for the renewal of your vehicle’s registration in three different ways:
Online
Try requesting your registration online and get a $1.00 discount.
If you want to register a vehicle online, you need to apply 90 days before the expiration date. Or else you can apply after nine months of the expiration date, in case if you don’t have a citation for expired registration.
Keep in mind the expiration month will not be changed. You have to follow the payment procedure consists of two business days before the printing of the sticker. Wait for at least three weeks, and you will get an email.
For applying online, you have to download a temporary registration valid for ten days. If your registration is about to expire, you use temporary registration while waiting for the new mail to get registration documents.
Not everyone is allowed to avail ‘no fee’ option, and if you are eligible for this option, you can visit any office for the renewal. Therefore, every document is vital to ensure that you are eligible.
You are not allowed to apply online for the renewal of registration if you have:
· Vehicles that are not liable for the registration charges need to show documents that prove your status.
· Vehicles that need insurance proof, tax certificate, or other documents required for the renewal
· Vehicles having apportioned registration
· Vehicles having 55,000 lbs. or more weight
· A vehicle that is used for hiring such as taxis, buses, livery
· Semi-trailers with six-year registrations
· Vehicles with modifications to add space for more passengers
· Rental vehicles
Every registered vehicle owner will get a renewal notice via mail. If you want to apply through mailing for the renewal, you need to have the following information:
· Copy of the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR)
· Renewal notice
· Current liability insurance proof
· Charges are mentioned on the renewal notice that you have to pay
You have to send the details mentioned above to the county tax office.
In-Person
For this, you have to visit the county tax office and bring registration renewal notice as well as current liability insurance proof with you. In case if you have not received the renewal notice for the registration, you need:
· License plate number
· Vehicle Identification Number
· Last year’s registration receipt
Leased Vehicles
On the other hand, if your vehicle is leased, you will not get the renewal notice directly. You have to be alert and keep on checking for the notice sent to the leasing company. The company will provide the renewal notice. You will receive the plate decal and the new registration via mail.
For some reason, if you don’t plan to drive your vehicle this year, you can store it. However, if you don’t want to operate the car for the next year, you need to apply for the Planned Non-Operation (PNO) online. For PNO, you will have to pay a $22 fee.
Sixty days before ending the expiry date of your vehicle, you can apply for PNO. After 90 days of the expiration of your car, you can apply for PNO. However, keep in mind that you have to pay the late fee charges.
Most inspection records are available; however, it might be possible that you don’t find a record right away. Passing inspection is not enough; you have to ensure the system is verifying electronically. For the completion of your vehicle registration renewal, you have to show inspection proof.
Your inspection will be analyzed manually, and you will get a renewal of the vehicle registration.
Substitutes
Other than that, you may find some alternative options that can help in the renewal of your vehicle registration. For example, a grocery store near your house might be a good option for renewals. Well, you must understand that a grocery store will not believe in your VIR as proof of inspection.
It depends on the county to allow subcontractors to verify inspection through VIR. You will be redirected to the county tax office to execute the renewal process if VIR does not permit a subcontractor to verify.
Be aware and keep the record. Maintain your history and renew your vehicles’ registration on time.