by Armando Martinez
Step 1: Obtain a Bill of Sale
The first step to registering your vehicle in Utah is to obtain a Bill of Sale. This document includes information like the car's make and model, year, VIN (vehicle identification number), purchase price and names and addresses of buyer and seller.
Step 2: Obtain the Car Title
The next step is to obtain the car title. You'll want to make sure it's signed over to you and that all of the fields are properly filled out. If there are any liens on the vehicle, make sure they're paid off before completing your sale. If your seller does not have their title, they can apply for a duplicate title with the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles or through the state in which their vehicle is titled.
Step 3: Obtain Insurance
The third step to registering your vehicle in Utah is to get insurance. You must have liability coverage on your car, truck or motorcycle in order to register it with the state of Utah.
Utah law requires all drivers to carry coverage for bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD). If you don't have auto insurance, you can purchase an auto policy online or over the phone with just a few pieces of information:
Step 4: Complete the Registration Application
The next step is to fill out the registration application. You can find this form online or at your local DMV office. The information you'll need to complete the application includes:
- Make, model and year of your car (or truck).
- The VIN number on either your vehicle's title or registration card.
- Your personal information (name, address and phone number). You'll also have to provide insurance details for yourself and any other drivers who will be using this car regularly in Utah.*
Step 5: Get a Vehicle Inspection
You're almost there! The final step is to get an emissions test and a VIN verification. This is required by Utah law for all vehicles that are being registered for the first time, or have been out of state for more than 6 months. You can find authorized emissions testing stations at http://www.airquality.utah.gov.
To take care of this final requirement, bring your vehicle's registration and title (if applicable) along with proof of insurance to the station where they will perform an inspection on your vehicle and issue you a certificate stating that it meets state standards before registering it with us here at DMV headquarters.*
Step 6: Pay the Registration Fee
- The registration fee varies depending on the vehicle's weight, model year and type.
- You can pay the registration fee at the DMV when you submit your application.
Step 7: Get License Plates
Once you've registered your vehicle, you'll need to get license plates for it. You can do this at the DMV or by mail. You’ll have the ability to purchase a temporary permit that’ll allow you to operate your vehicle legally until your license plate and registration is received. You can find more information on the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles website or at https://dmv.utah.gov/faq/titles. If you choose to go to the DMV, be prepared for long lines and crowds--it can take up to two hours just to get through all of the paperwork!
If you choose not to go there in person but rather send in an application with payment, expect a longer wait time (upwards of four weeks). The good news is that once it arrives in Utah from wherever else it was sent (for example: California), there will be no waiting period before being able to use it as a car on public roads or highways.
Step 8: Submit the Registration
Once you have your vehicle registration and license plates in hand, it's time to get behind the wheel.
You'll need to:
- Submit the registration application
- Bill of Sale (if applicable)
- Title (if applicable)
- Proof of insurance
- Emissions and safety inspection results
Step 9: Keep Your Registration Updated
Now that you have registered your vehicle, make sure that your registration is up-to-date.
- Renew your registration and license plates before they expire.
- Keep your vehicle information and insurance up-to-date with the DMV.
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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