How To Register A Car in North Carolina: Everything You Need To Know
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Registering a vehicle is a critical part of being a responsible owner. If you live in North Carolina, there are different requirements than in other states. You might wonder how to register a car in North Carolina. What do you need to register your vehicle? What if you’re a new resident in the state?
If you’re interested in learning how to register a car in North Carolina, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about the documents required to register a vehicle, how to register your car, and items that could disturb vehicle registration. The more you know about how to register a car in North Carolina, the easier the process will be.
Necessary Documents to Register a Car
If you are wondering how to register a car in North Carolina, it’s critical to start with the necessary documents. You must bring these to the DMV or submit them ahead of time if you want everything to go well when you go in to register your car.
According to carregistration.com, here are a few items you need to register a vehicle in North Carolina:
- A valid proof of identification
- Proof of car insurance
- A notarized title for your vehicle
- A lien release, if applicable
- A bill of sale
- Two forms - title application and Damage Disclosure Statement
These will make the process run well as you make your car legal on the streets of North Carolina.
If you’re moving to the state from somewhere else, it can make the process a little trickier. If you are wondering how to register a car in North Carolina after moving from another state, it’s critical to understand what you need.
New Resident Registration
If you are a new resident, get your vehicle registered promptly. If you wait too long to register as a new citizen, your car could quickly become illegal to drive on the road. There are several items you must register with along with the traditional registration pieces.
According to carregistration.com, here are the items you need to register as a new resident in North Carolina:
- Valid out-of-state driver’s license or identification
- Military ID if you are an active-duty member
- Court-ordered sale of the vehicle
- Student ID if enrolled in a North Carolina college
- Affidavit if necessary
You will also need the other items stated above for complete vehicle registration.
Once you have these items in place, take them to your DMV to determine if you can register your vehicle in North Carolina as a new resident. When everything is processed, you are good to go.
How To Register
We’ve talked about the requirements for registering a vehicle in North Carolina and what to do if you are new to the state. Now, it’s time to register your vehicle. How do you complete this process in North Carolina?
Gather the following items:
- Car insurance proof
- A valid form of identification
- A vehicle title
- A lien release
- A bill of sale
- Completed forms title application and damage disclosure statement
Once you have these in hand, it’s time to register your vehicle in person.
Take the documents to the local DMV. It’s critical to have all of it or there might be a delay in the process.
Alternatively, you can register by mail. Provide all documentation and send it to Vehicle Titles/Liens, Duplicate Registration at 3148 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27697.
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Items That Could Halt a Vehicle Registration
It’s possible to attempt to register a vehicle and have the attempt blocked. When considering how to register a car in North Carolina, it’s critical to know what can block this try.
According to ncdot.gov, here are a few things that could block registration:
- Bad debt
- Bad credit warning
- Child support
- County tax
- Felony speed
- Inspection
- Stolen/stopped
It’s critical to avoid these if possible.
Everyone makes mistakes. If you are blocked from registration, it’s critical to speak with someone as soon as possible to determine what you can do to clear up the situation. Some circumstances are more critical than others.
Necessary Vehicle Inspections
If you want to register your vehicle in North Carolina, you need to get a vehicle inspection ahead of time. You must get a new inspection whenever you want to renew the registration of your vehicle.
According to ncdot.gov, a vehicle inspection will examine items like:
- Headlights
- Steering
- Foot brakes
- Tires
- Horn
- Rearview window
They will ensure the vehicle is in working order.
It’s critical to note that a vehicle can fail an inspection. If it does, you may need to make repairs and take it back for another check before proper registration can occur.
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Fees
It’s also critical to consider fees associated with registering a car in North Carolina. You need to have money ready to take care of any registration or document titles you did not have the chance to purchase.
Here are a few examples of items and their prices:
- Certificate of title: $56
- Duplicate certificate of title: $21.50
- Late penalty fee: $20
These can build up if you are not careful.
If you know you are missing a few papers and documentation, take care to purchase them and pay fees ahead of time. The DMV should alert you of any payments you need to make before it’s too late.
Final Thoughts
If you invest in a new vehicle, it’s critical to register your vehicle. There are plenty of documents you need to complete the process, from a valid form of identification to proof of ownership of your vehicle. If you come from out of state, you might need proof from the spot where the car was purchased before you can register it in North Carolina.
It’s also critical to consider items that could halt a vehicle registration and necessary vehicle inspections your car needs before everything becomes legal. The more you know, the easier it will be to understand how to register a car in North Carolina. There is a lot to consider in this necessary process as a resident of North Carolina.
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