Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car In Your State?

In order to register your car in most states, you are required to have proof of current vehicle insurance that meets or exceeds your specific state's requirements. This is true in all but eight states, which highly recommend insurance. In fact, most of these eight states require car insurance within a limited amount of time. As you read, you will see car insurance requirements in each state along with information showing when you should register your car and what documents you will need to complete the process.

Do You Need Insurance To Register A Car?

Most states require residents to buy coverage from insurance providers before registering their vehicles.

Most states require residents to buy coverage from insurance providers before registering their vehicles, so consider buying affordable car insurance before you register. New Hampshire and Virginia are the only states that don't require people to have a car insurance policy at all but you must still register your car.

What States Do Not Require Insurance To Register A Car?

There are eight states where drivers don't need insurance coverage to register their cars, but you still can't legally drive on roads without insurance!

Of these eight states, these two don't require buying insurance at any point:

• Virginia
• New Hampshire

Six states require drivers to buy insurance after vehicle registration but before driving on public roads:

• Arizona
• Mississippi
• North Dakota
• Tennessee
• Washington
• Wisconsin

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Do I Need Insurance to Drive a Car?

There are only two states that don't require insurance for a person to drive a car, New Hampshire and Virginia. But even in those states there is a catch. The Division of Motor Vehicles in New Hampshire maintains the right to require "certain persons" to file proof of insurance. These exceptions may include individuals convicted of driving while intoxicated or those found guilty of an uninsured accident. Virginia drivers may pay a $500 uninsured Motor Vehicle fee in lieu of insurance.

If a person drives someone else's car occasionally with the owner's permission, or in the case of an emergency, the driver will be covered by the insurance policy issued for that vehicle. On the other hand, if an individual is driving that car on a regular basis, the car may be registered by someone else, but it is best to list that driver on their policy or for the driver to buy a non-owner car insurance policy to ensure coverage in case of an accident.

Registration Requirements and Fees

Most states require insurance before registering while others require it before you drive the car. Most states also calculate registration fees based on your vehicle's weight or age. The national average for registration fees is $35.

Here is a list of registration requirements and fees across the country:

State	Insurance Needed?	Renewals Online?	Registration Fees
Alabama	Before Registering	Yes	$15 - $24
Alaska	Before Registering	Yes	$100
Arizona	Before Driving	Yes	$8 + $30 Public Safety Fee
Arkansas	Before Registering	Yes	$17 - $30
California	Before Registering	Yes	$65
Colorado	Before Registering	Yes	Weight-based
Connecticut	Before Registering	Yes	$120 (new cars), $80 renewal
Delaware	Before Registering	No (Drive-Thru Renewal)	$40
Florida	Before Registering	Yes	$14.50 - $32.50, $225 new cars
Georgia	Before Registering	Yes	(Certain Counties) $20
Hawaii	Before Registering	Yes	$12 min. (based on weight)
Idaho	Before Registering	Yes	$45 - $69 (based on age)
Illinois	Before Registering	Yes	$151
Indiana	Before Registering	Yes	$21.35
Iowa	Before Registering	Yes	1 percent of list price based on age
Kansas	Before Registering	Yes	$39 - $49 (depending on county)
Kentucky	Before Registering	Yes	$21
Louisiana	Before Registering	Yes	$20 - $82
Maine	Before Registering	Yes - Certain area	$35
Maryland	Before Registering	Yes	$135 - $187 depending on weight
Massachusetts	Before Registering	Yes	$60 for two years
Michigan	Before Registering	Yes	Based on weight / value / age
Minnesota	Before Registering	Yes	$35 based on value
Mississippi	Before Driving	Yes (based on county)	$12.75 renewal $14 new cars
Missouri	Before Registering	Yes	$18.75 and up (based on tax / horespower)
Montana	Before Registering	Yes	$30.57 - $225.24 based on age +3 percent
Nebraska	Before Registering	Yes	$15 (+$5.50 in added fees)
Nevada	Before Registering	Yes	$33
New Hampshire	Not Required	Contact City Clerk	$31.20 based on weight / $10 transfer fee
New Jersey	Before Registering	Yes	$35.50 - $84 based on weight/age
New Mexico	Before Registering	Yes	$27 - $62 (based on weight and age of vehicle)
New York	Before Registering	Yes	$26 - $140 based on weight / 2 years
North Carolina	Before Registering	Yes	$38.75
North Dakota	Before Driving	Yes	$49 - $274 based on age / weight
Ohio	Before Registering	Yes	$31
Oklahoma	Before Registering	Yes	$96 for
Oregon	Before Registering	Yes	$122 - $152 (depending on the model year and MPG)
Pennsylvania	Before Registering	Yes	$39
Rhode Island	Before Registering	Yes	$30 for up to 4,000 lb (increases based on weight) $15 surcharge
South Carolina	Before Registering	Yes	$40
South Dakota	Before Registering	Yes	$36 - $144 based on weight
Tennessee	Before Driving	Yes - Based on County	$26.50
Texas	Before Registering	Yes	$51.75 plus local fees
Utah	Before Registering	Yes	$44 for up to 12K pounds
Vermont	Before Registering	Yes	$76 for 1 year; $140 for 2 years
Virginia	Not Required	Yes	$30.75 for less than 4,000 lbs. / $35.75 over 4,000 lbs.
Washington	Before Driving	Yes	$68.25 - $115.25 based on weight
Washington, D.C.	Before Registering	Yes	$72 - $155 based on weight
West Virginia	Before Registering	Yes	$51.50
Wisconsin	Before Driving	Yes	$85
Wyoming	Before Registering	Yes – Based on County	$30 (varies by county)

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Showing Proof of Insurance Has Time Limits

If you live in a state that doesn't require you to have auto insurance coverage before you register a car, you have 30-45 days to show proof of insurance to your local DMV. If you fail to show proof of insurance, your registration and driver's license could be suspended. Avoid these harsh penalties by comparing rates and buying affordable car insurance as soon as possible. Your insurance company should send you an insurance ID card which shows your policy number, the date the policy went into effect, your vehicle identification number (VIN), your car's year, its model, and coverage details. Luckily, your insurance will be immediately active. Your proof should only take a few days to get to you by mail.

It is also possible to get proof of insurance online through your insurer's website where you can print it out and store it for your instant use. And then there is the option of using electronic proof through your insurance company's app. Nearly every state, including the District of Columbia, allows electronic proof of insurance. The only state that does not accept this form of proof is Massachusetts.

State Minimum Insurance Requirements

Minimum car insurance requirements vary by state. Check with your local DMV to make sure you have adequate coverage. Here are the insurance requirements in each state:

Alabama - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Alaska - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $50,000 for bodily injury per person
• $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Arizona - Does not need insurance to register the vehicle.

• $15,000 for bodily injury per person
• $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

Arkansas - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

California - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $15,000 for bodily injury per person
• $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $5,000 property damage

Colorado - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 property damage

Connecticut - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $20,000 property damage

Delaware - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

District of Columbia - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

Florida - Must have insurance to register your car.

• $10,000 bodily injury liability coverage
• $20,000 bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

Georgia - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Hawaii - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $20,000 for bodily injury per person
• $40,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

Idaho - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 property damage

Illinois - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $20,000 property damage

Indiana - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Iowa - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $20,000 for bodily injury per person
• $40,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 property damage

Kansas - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Kentucky - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Louisiana - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $15,000 for bodily injury per person
• $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Maine - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $50,000 for bodily injury per person
• $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Massachusetts - Must have insurance to register your car.

• $20,000 bodily injury per person
• $40,000 bodily injury total per accident
• $5,000 property damage
• Personal Injury Protection - $8,000

Michigan - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $20,000 for bodily injury per person
• $40,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

Minnesota - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $30,000 for bodily injury per person
• $60,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

Mississippi - Does not require insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Missouri - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Montana - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $20,000 property damage

Nebraska - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Nevada - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

New Hampshire - Does not require insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

New Jersey - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $15,000 for bodily injury per person
• $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $5,000 property damage

New Mexico - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

New York - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

North Carolina - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $30,000 for bodily injury per person
• $60,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

North Dakota - Does not require insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Ohio - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Oklahoma - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Illinois - Must have insurance to register your vehicles.

• $25,000 bodily injury liability coverage
• $50,000 bodily injury total per accident
• $2,000 property damage coverages

Arizona - Must have insurance before driving.

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
• $50,000 bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 property damage
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident

Utah - Must have insurance to register.

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
• $65,000 bodily injury total per accident
• $15,000 property damage

Maryland - Must have insurance to register your car.

• $30,000 bodily injury
• $60,000 for two or more people
• $50,000 property damage

Oregon - Must have insurance to register your vehicle.

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
• $50,000 bodily injury for two or more people
• $20,000 property damage per crash
• $15,000 Personal Injury Protection
• $25,000 Uninsured Motorist Per Person ($50,000 per crash)

Pennsylvania - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $15,000 for bodily injury per person
• $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $5,000 property damage

Rhode Island - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

South Carolina - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

South Dakota - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Tennessee - Does not require insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 property damage

Texas - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $30,000 for bodily injury per person
• $60,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Utah - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $65,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 property damage

Vermont - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

Virginia - Does not require insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $20,000 property damage

Washington - Does not require insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

West Virginia - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

Wisconsin - Does not require insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 property damage

Wyoming - Must have insurance to register the vehicle.

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $20,000 property damage

The Insurance Information Institute has a full list of minimum car insurance requirements for each state.

When Should I Register a Car?

Every state has different registration requirements. There are several scenarios of when you must register a vehicle:

• You purchased a new or used car – Dealerships usually help car buyers complete the registration process for a car, truck or minivan. These sellers may charge you fees depending on your state laws.

• You moved to a new city – If you relocate to a different state, you have to register your vehicle by that state's specified deadline.

• You're renewing your car's registration – Many states require registration renewal every two to three years.

After registering your car, you must renew it every few years, based on state requirements.

What Documents Do I Need To Register My Car?

You must present documents to the Department of Motor Vehicles that prove you own the car. Some places also require proof of insurance that meets your state's auto insurance obligations.

Most DMVs require the following documents:

• Driver's license or proof of identity

• Vehicle's bill of sale

• Documentation of vehicle ownership

• Proof of insurance coverage (such as an insurance company ID)

• Completed application for title and registration

• Registration fees

After gathering these documents, visit your state DMV to complete your application and the registration process.

Do I Need Proof of Insurance To Renew My Registration?

New Hampshire and Virginia are the only states that don't require proof of insurance for renewals. Otherwise, yes, you'll need to prove you have insurance to renew your vehicle's registration. Depending on the state, drivers must renew their registration every one to five years.

Most states have an online renewal system for drivers so they can skip the DMV. In some states, owners of new vehicle models don't have to renew their registration as often, because they comply with modern emission standards.

How Should I Register My Vehicle?

You'll need to visit your state's department of motor vehicles to learn about your registration and licensing responsibilities. Some states require you to show up in person when you register your vehicle for the first time. Others have online car registration. You will have to provide the documentation specifically required to register your vehicle.

Not all states require insurance to register vehicles; however, most won't let you drive unless you're covered.

What Happens if My Insurance Expires After I Register My Car?

Most states use an electronic filing system to track your car insurance coverage. Insurance companies will notify the DMV when a driver's coverage has lapsed. When this occurs, they will warn you to renew your policy.

Driving without insurance is a serious offense. You could face harsh consequences without it.

Driving without insurance is a serious offense. You could face several consequences you may face when you are uninsured. You'll get charged with a misdemeanor offense if you don't have coverage. If caught, you could pay significant fines. You may even serve jail time if you have repeat offenses. You may also get sued if you cause an accident.

Additionally, some areas will suspend your registration if you don't have appropriate car insurance coverage. You will also have higher rates if you allow your insurance coverage to lapse.

Get Insurance Coverage To Complete Your Vehicle Registration

Most states and the District of Columbia require their residents to buy car insurance to complete the registration process for new and used vehicles. Even though seven states don't require insurance to register an automobile, the majority still mandate car owners to be insured before driving on the road.

In any case, you should buy car insurance regardless of whether or not your state requires it. Auto insurance coverage can protect your assets if another driver sues you. It can also pay for damages, medical bills and even your own car repairs if you have the right insurance coverage.

Buy car insurance regardless of whether your state requires it or not.

To find a policy that fits your needs and budget, use SmartFinancial's online tool to save up to 40% on car insurance. Just enter your zip code below and answer a few questions to get started. Best of all, the service is completely free, with no credit card down.