Moving to a new country is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. Our goal is to help make your relocation as easy as possible. From the point of first contact to the day your vehicle is delivered, customers receive our award-winning concierge service from an expert consultant available to answer questions, provide updates, and ensure a seamless transition. Customers are provided assistance with financing and leasing documentation, as well as registration and licensing.
We help guide you every step of the way.
Below, we’ve provided an overview of vehicle registration requirements by state. We hope you find it helpful, but if you have any questions. please don’t hesitate to contact us.
After you buy a car, you’ll need to register it with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Secretary of State (SOS), Department of Revenue (DOR), Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), or other local entity that sets vehicle regulations in your state. If someone is asking for your vehicle registration number, they are probably referring to your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Before you can register your vehicle will likely need to:
- Have a title in your name.
- Pass an emissions test or smog check.
- Pass a vehicle safety inspection.
- Be covered by car insurance.
Alabama
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 3.375%-4%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Alabama residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/al-alabama/car-registration.php
Alaska
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 0%
Additional Requirements: If you live more than 50 miles away from an AK DMV location, you can register by mail. If you do NOT live 50 miles away, you must register in person.
Remote Locations: https://www.dmv.org/ak-alaska/dmv-office-finder.php
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ak-alaska/car-registration.php
Arizona
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 5.60%-10.725%
Additional Requirements: State law requires the owner to register vehicle immediately after establishing residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/az-arizona/car-registration.php
Arkansas
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 6.5%-12%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Arkansas residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ar-arkansas/car-registration.php
California
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 7.50%-10%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 20 days of establishing California residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ca-california/car-registration.php
Colorado
State Identification: Driver License or Learner’s Permit
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 2.90%-10%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 90 days of establishing California residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ca-california/car-registration.php
Connecticut
State Identification: Driver License, Learner’s Permit, ID card (with photo)
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 6.35%
Additional Requirements: Before registering the vehicle, the owner must take it to an emissions testing facility or have the VIN (vehicle identification number) verified.
Emissions Testing Facility: http://ctemissions.com/test-centers/find-a-test-center
Verification Station: https://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=804&q=460746
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ct-connecticut/car-registration.php
Delaware
State Identification: Driver License, Learner’s Permit, or ID Card (with photo)
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 0%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 60 days of establishing Delaware residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/de-delaware/car-registration.php
Florida
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 6%-7.5%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Florida residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/car-registration.php
Georgia
State Identification: Driver License, Learner’s Permit, ID card (with photo)
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 4%-8%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Georgia residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ga-georgia/car-registration.php
Hawaii
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 4%-4.5%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Hawaii residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/hi-hawaii/car-registration.php
Idaho
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 6%-8.5%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 90 days of establishing Idaho residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/id-idaho/car-registration.php
Illinois
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 6.25%-9.75%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Illinois residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/car-registration.php
Indiana
State Identification: Driver License
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 7%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 60 days of establishing Indiana residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/in-indiana/car-registration.php
Iowa
State Identification: Driver License
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 6%-7%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Iowa residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ia-iowa/car-registration.php
Kansas
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 6.5%-10%
Additional Requirements: Before applying for a vehicle registration, the owner needs to take the vehicle to a motor vehicle inspection station. Owner must register vehicle within 90 days of moving to Kansas.
Inspection Station: https://www.kansashighwaypatrol.org/BusinessDirectoryii.aspx
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ks-kansas/car-registration.php
Kentucky
State Identification: Driver License
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 6%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register the vehicle at the county clerk’s office within 15 days of moving to Kentucky.
County Clerk’s Office: https://www.dmv.org/ky-kentucky/dmv-office-finder.php
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ky-kentucky/car-registration.php
Louisiana
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 4%-11%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Louisiana residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/la-louisiana/car-registration.php
Maine
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 5.5%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Maine residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/me-maine/car-registration.php
Maryland
State Identification: Driver License, Learner’s Permit, ID card
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 6%
Additional Requirements: Before registering the vehicle, a safety inspection has to be completed. The owner must register the vehicle within 60 days of moving to Maryland.
Safety Inspection: https://www.dmv.org/md-maryland/smog-check.php
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/md-maryland/car-registration.php
Massachusetts
State Identification:
Social Security Card:
International or Home Country Driver License:
Tax Percentage: 6.25%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register the vehicle within 30 days of establishing Massachusetts residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ma-massachusetts/car-registration.php
Michigan
State Identification: Yes
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 6%
Additional Requirements: After establishing residency, the vehicle must be registered with the Secretary of State.
SOS Office: https://www.dmv.org/mi-michigan/dmv-office-finder.php
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/mi-michigan/car-registration.php
Minnesota
State Identification: Yes
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 6.88%-7.88%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 60 days of establishing a Minnesota residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/mn-minnesota/car-registration.php
Mississippi
State Identification: Driver License or ID card
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 7%-7.25%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing a Mississippi residency. Failure to meet this timeframe could result in a $250 fine. Register at the nearest tax collector’s office.
Tax Collector’s Office: https://www.dmv.org/ms-mississippi/dmv-office-finder.php
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ms-mississippi/car-registration.php
Missouri
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 4.23%-9.335%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register the vehicle within 30 days of establishing Missouri residency. Owner also needs to get a state of non-assessment showing that you do not owe taxes. This state is available at any county collector’s office, or the city collector’s office if you are in St. Louis.
Local Licensing Office: https://www.dmv.org/mo-missouri/dmv-office-finder.php
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/mo-missouri/car-registration.php
Montana
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 0%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 60 days of establishing Montana residency at the County Treasurer’s Office.
County Treasurer’s Office: https://www.dmv.org/mt-montana/dmv-office-finder.php
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/mt-montana/car-registration.php
Nebraska
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 5.5%-7.5%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Nebraska residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ne-nebraska/car-registration.php
Nevada
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 6.85%-8.1%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Nevada residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/nv-nevada/car-registration.php
New Hampshire
State Identification: Driver License
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 0%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register the vehicle within 60 days of establishing New Hampshire residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/nh-new-hampshire/car-registration.php
New Jersey
State Identification: Driver License
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 7%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 60 days of establishing New Jersey residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/nj-new-jersey/car-registration.php
New Mexico
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 5.13%-8.693%
Additional Requirements: To apply for a New Mexico car registration certificate, visit any MVD field office.
MVD Field Office: https://www.dmv.org/nm-new-mexico/dmv-office-finder.php
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/nm-new-mexico/car-registration.php
New York
State Identification: Driver License, Learner’s Permit, ID Card, or 6 points of ID
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 4%-8.875%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ny-new-york/car-registration.php
North Carolina
State Identification: Driver License or ID Card
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 4.75%-7.5%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing North Carolina residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/nc-north-carolina/car-registration.php
North Dakota
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 5%-8%
Additional Requirements:
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/nd-north-dakota/car-registration.php
Ohio
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 5.75%-8%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Ohio residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/oh-ohio/car-registration.php
Oklahoma
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 4.5%-11%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Oklahoma residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ok-oklahoma/car-registration.php
Oregon
State Identification: Driver License, Learner’s Permit, ID Card
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 0%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Oregon residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/or-oregon/car-registration.php
Pennsylvania
State Identification: Driver License or ID Card
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 6%-8%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 20 days of establishing Pennsylvania residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/pa-pennsylvania/car-registration.php
Rhode Island
State Identification: Driver License or ID card
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 7%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Rhode Island residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ri-rhode-island/car-registration.php
South Carolina
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 6%-9%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register the vehicle within 45 days of moving to South Carolina.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/sc-south-carolina/car-registration.php
South Dakota
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 4%-6%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 90 days of establishing South Dakota residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/sd-south-dakota/car-registration.php
Tennessee
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 7%-9.75%
Additional Requirements: Owner must visit the local county clerk’s office in person when you purchase a vehicle, whether it is from a dealership or a private party.
County Clerk’s Office: https://www.dmv.org/tn-tennessee/dmv-office-finder.php
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/tn-tennessee/car-registration.php
Texas
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 6.25%-8.25%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register the vehicle within 30 days of establishing Texas residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/car-registration.php
Utah
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 5.95%-8.35%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register the vehicle within 60 days of establishing Utah residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/ut-utah/car-registration.php
Vermont
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 6%-7%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register the vehicle within 60 days of establishing Vermont residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/vt-vermont/car-registration.php
Virginia
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 5.3%-6%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Virginia residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/va-virginia/car-registration.php
Washington
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 6.5%9.6%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register the vehicle within 30 days of moving to Washington at the local licensing office.
Local Licensing Office: https://www.dmv.org/wa-washington/dmv-office-finder.php
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/wa-washington/car-registration.php
Washington D.C.
State Identification: Driver License
Social Security Card: Yes
International or Home Country Driver License: No
Tax Percentage: 5.75%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing Washington D.C. residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/washington-dc/car-registration.php
West Virginia
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 6%-7%
Additional Requirements: Owner must register vehicle within 30 days of establishing West Virginia residency.
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/wv-west-virginia/car-registration.php
Wisconsin
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 5%-5.6%
Additional Requirements:
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/wi-wisconsin/car-registration.php
Wyoming
State Identification: No
Social Security Card: No
International or Home Country Driver License: Yes
Tax Percentage: 4%-6%
Additional Requirements:
Registration Guide: https://www.dmv.org/wy-wyoming/car-registration.php
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