If you are the owner of a new or used vehicle, you lot must register it with the land of Tennessee to legally drive it. Vehicle registration requires the filling out of forms along with other bureaucratic requirements. Let's look at how to register a vehicle in Tennessee.

TN Vehicle Registration: TN Tags and Registration

Registering a vehicle in Tennessee is not the bureaucratic nightmare many go far out to exist. TN auto registration, TN trailer registration, motorcycle registration and so on is surprisingly piece of cake. Industry improvements have made the experience much easier than it used to be. It is even possible to renew machine registration online through the local DMV. You will demand some documents to register the vehicle. These include:

  • The vehicle'due south title
  • Your proof of residence and identity
  • The odometer disclosure argument

    • If you lot need fourth dimension to collect such paperwork, you should bridge the gap with a temporary functioning permit. This must be performed before submitting the application for the registration. The actual registration of the vehicle takes place at the Vehicle Services Sectionalisation. Yous can obtain your vehicle title and registration at the same time.

    Registering a Vehicle in TN: Emissions Inspection

    Certain counties in Tennessee require drivers to have an emissions inspection performed before the vehicle can exist registered. These counties include Sumner, Wilson, Williamson, Davidson, Hamilton and Rutherford. The automobile owner must provide the TN car title or registration for the emissions examination to be performed. If TN lost championship, you must obtain a duplicate title TN. The emissions test requires the payment of a $ix fee. Payment must exist made in cash. Bills greater than $twenty will non be accepted.

    How new Tennessee Residents Register a Vehicle

    Be sure to bring:

  • Your out-of-country title
  • Out-of-state registration
  • Emissions test paperwork
  • Name and address of the vehicle's lien holder
  • Proof of identification (license, armed forces ID, nativity certificate)
  • Money for fees to the county clerk'south office

    • Though auto insurance is unnecessary to register a vehicle in the state of Tennessee for the first fourth dimension, it is illegal to drive without automobile insurance.

    Registering a Vehicle Purchased from a Private Party or Dealership

    Regardless of how you purchased the vehicle, you must bring the post-obit to the canton clerk'southward office:

  • The Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin
  • New vehicle invoice showing car sales tax in TN
  • Proof of identification
  • Proof of residency

    • Documents that suffice for proof of residency include a utility pecker, a mortgage or rental agreement and a paycheck stub. You must as well bring the electric current registration from your old automobile if y'all program on transferring TN license plates to your new vehicle.

    Registering a Used Automobile

    Bring a valid document of title property completed past the seller, an odometer disclosure argument if the vehicle is less than a decade old, proof of identification and proof of residency to the canton clerk's part.

    License Plates

    Exist certain to bring your current registration if yous desire to transfer the license plates to the used automobile you purchased. TN vanity plates are available upon request and depending on availability. You can pick upwardly your license plates when registering your automobile. If the TN specialty license plates you desire are non available, order it for delivery to your local canton clerk's role for pickup.

    Exceptions

    If you can't provide the documentation described above, information technology might exist possible to obtain a temporary functioning permit. Such a let is valid for a catamenia of 30 days. This let requires proof that you own the vehicle in question and show you are taking activeness to remedy the registration/championship upshot. You must show your Tennessee driver'due south license and submit the Application for Temporary Operation Permit. Finally, there is a $10 fee to obtain the permit. Owners of salvaged vehicles and those that fail inspection will not qualify for the allow.