Car Title vs Registration
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When you buy a new car, there’s a lot of paperwork involved, and it can get particularly overwhelming if you’re buying a car for the first time. Two of the terms you may hear are the car title and registration. While these documents are both essential and are easily confused, they serve different purposes. Understanding the difference between a car title vs registration can help you prepare to buy a car.
So, is a car title and registration the same thing? No, the title and registration are two different documents.
Your car title is a document that states that you own that vehicle. It includes specifics about your vehicle, like its make, model, year, and vehicle identification number. It also includes your name and address, as well as your signature and the signature of the vehicle’s seller. Your state’s department of motor vehicles issues a title once you’ve fully paid for your car; if you take out a loan, you’ll only get the title once you’ve paid off the loan’s full balance.
Your vehicle registration is a document that proves you can legally drive your vehicle on public roads. To drive your vehicle on public roads, it must be registered with your state, and the registration identifies the vehicle’s legal owner. Many states require proof that you own a vehicle before you can register it, and many also require proof of insurance.
While you don’t have to renew your vehicle title, you must renew your vehicle registration every one to two years, depending on your state. Many states allow you to renew your registration online; you’ll need to pay a fee and, in most states, still carry active car insurance on the vehicle.
You may hear the term “vehicle registration card” mentioned. The registration card refers to the registration document that you’ll receive in the mail a few weeks after registering your car. This document is proof that your vehicle can be driven on public roads. You should keep a copy of this card or document with you whenever you drive the car.
If you have questions about your registration, visit your local department of motor vehicles’ website. The site will include answers to many common questions, including your state’s registration requirements and how to change name on vehicle registration.
When you buy a new car, you’ll need proof of insurance before you can register it in most states. You’ll need to carry insurance that meets your state’s minimum insurance requirements.
Once you’ve determined which vehicle you’re going to buy, shop around and compare car insurance quotes. You can get free car insurance quotes online today, and can then compare factors like premiums, deductibles, coverage limitations, and exclusions to decide which policy is right for your vehicle.
Paige Cerulli Paige Cerulli is a freelance content writer and journalist who specializes in personal finance topics. She graduated from Westfield State University and brings more than a decade of professional writing experience to the ConsumerCoverage team. Paige’s work has appeared in outlets including USA Today, Business Insider, and more.
