Tennessee Vehicle Registration

Tennessee Vehicle Registration: Complete Guide

Tennessee Vehicle RegistrationWhen shopping for a used car, knowing its history is very important. You can check the history of a car using its VIN number. You can find out if the car was in an accident, damaged in a flood, or had its odometer rolled back.

Run a Free Vehicle Report:

As the new owner of a vehicle, the law requires that you register your vehicle with the state’s DMV. In Tennessee, you are required to have a driver’s license, valid vehicle registration, and tags to legally drive.

Check out all the information you need here at VINCheck.info if you want to:

How to Register your Vehicle as a New Tennessee Resident

As a new resident of the State of Tennessee, you will need to acquire a new registration and title for your vehicle from the Vehicle Services Division (DVS). There are specific counties in the state that require emissions testing before granting you a new title, so if you live in one, you should take care of that first before filing an application for registration and titling.

These counties are:

  • Hamilton County
  • Rutherford County
  • Sumner County
  • Williamson County
  • Wilson County
  • Davidson County

If you need more information, visit the Smog and Emissions Checks in Tennessee page.

To register and title your vehicle as a new resident, visit your county clerk’s office and submit the following:

NOTE: You don’t need to present proof of auto insurance if you are registering your vehicle for the first time. However, you should know that it is illegal to drive your vehicle without having auto insurance, and if you get pulled over or get involved in a car accident and you cannot present proof of insurance, you will get into trouble.

How to Register an Out-of-State Vehicle in Tennessee

Registering an out-of-state vehicle basically follows the same procedure as registering/titling a vehicle as a new resident of the State of Tennessee.

First, check if you live in one of these counties. If you do, you will need to have your vehicle undergo an emissions test before registering/titling it.

  • Hamilton County
  • Rutherford County
  • Sumner County
  • Williamson County
  • Wilson County
  • Davidson County

If you need more information, visit the Smog and Emissions Checks in Tennessee page.

To register and title your out-of-state vehicle, visit your county clerk’s office and submit the following:

NOTE: You don’t need to present proof of auto insurance if you are registering your vehicle for the first time.

How to Re-register a Salvaged Vehicle in Tennessee

It is entirely possible to rebuild a salvaged vehicle and have it ready for driving on the road, but driving it without a new registration is illegal and will get you into trouble. A motor vehicle that has been issued a salvage title should first be re-issued a “rebuilt” title before being allowed to re-register it.

Here is what you need to do:

  • Submit Outstanding Salvage Certificate
  • Submit color photographs of the vehicle in its damaged condition, showing each quadrant
  • Submit receipts for all replacement parts used in the rebuilding of the vehicle. The receipts must show the year, make, and identification number of the vehicle from which they were taken. The receipts must show the complete name and mailing address of the buyer(s) and seller(s). If the parts used were aftermarket or new, it must be indicated on the receipt.
  • Payment for fees (payable to the Tennessee Department of Revenue)
  • Mail your application, including all the supporting documentation and payment to: Tennessee Dept. of Revenue, Vehicle Services Division, 44 Vantage Way – Suite 160, Nashville, TN 37243-8050

NOTE: All vehicles for which applications are submitted may be subject to inspection by an agent with the Special Investigations Section. The purpose of this inspection is to verify that all parts were obtained legally and not stolen.

How Do I Change My Address with Tennessee DMV?

As a resident of the State of Tennessee, you are required to notify the Department of Safety and Homeland Security if you have moved to a new location within the state or out of state. This notification must be done within 10 days of the change of address. This also includes address changes made by the United States Postal Service or your local 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District when you have not physically relocated.

You should also note that merely informing postal authorities WILL NOT update your records. There is no fee to change your address in our system, but if you want a new driver’s license that reflects the change of address, you will need to apply for it online or via a driver services center, in which case a fee will be charged when your new license is issued to you.

The fee is based on the number of duplicates you have had and the type of license you have.

You can also update your records with your new address by writing to:

TN DEPT OF SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY
ATTN: RECORDS
1150 Foster Avenue
Nashville, TN 37243

Provide the following information:

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Driver’s License number
  • Social Security Number
  • Your old address that appears on your current driver’s license
  • Your new address
  • The county of your new address

NOTE: Your license must show your legal residential address: a house and/or apartment number along with the street or road name. The city along with the correct zip code is also required. A post office box alone will not be accepted as a residential mailing address.

How to Transfer a Vehicle Between Family Members

To transfer a vehicle title to a family member, the following must be submitted to your County Clerk’s office:

Transfers from immediate family members may be eligible for tax exemption. In the case of gifts, no sales tax will be due.

Military Vehicle Registration in Tennessee

Military personnel based in Tennessee can title, register, and transfer and renew registrations of their vehicles in the county where they are assigned. All transactions are done through the local county clerk. If Tennessee is listed as your home of record but you have no physical presence in the state, you can submit your application to any county clerk office.

Check whether your county requires emissions testing prior to vehicle registration and renewal.

To register and title a new vehicle, submit the following:

  • Manufacturer’s statement of origin properly assigned on reverse side including the odometer
  • Itemized Bill of Sale
  • Security agreement or other proper lien instrument if lien is to be recorded
  • Copy of current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
  • Copy of current stationing orders indicating you are out of state
  • Mailing address
  • Daytime telephone number
  • Payment of fees

To register and title a used vehicle, submit the following:

  • Previous owner’s title properly assigned on reverse side including odometer on conforming titles (non-conforming titles require a separate odometer statement)
  • Title extension form (if back of title is full and vehicle was bought from a dealer)
  • Copy of current LES
  • Copy of stationing orders indicating you are out of state
  • Mailing address
  • Daytime phone number
  • Payment of fees

The following are exempted from paying Tennessee sales and use taxes:

  • full-time members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard who are stationed in Tennessee or a military reservation located partially within Tennessee,
  • members of the Tennessee National Guard or reserve members of a uniformed service of the United States who are participants in the active guard and reserve program and stationed in Tennessee or a military reservation located partially within Tennessee,
  • members of the Tennessee National Guard or reserve members of a uniformed service of the United States who have been called into full-time duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard and stationed in a combat zone. (Exemption applies from the effective date of official military orders assigning the individual to a combat zone, and it expires 90 days after the effective dates of official military orders releasing him/her from the combat zone.).

Vehicle Registration Renewal in Tennessee

The state of Tennessee requires vehicle owners to renew their registration each year. If you live in a county that requires an emissions and safety inspection, you will need to get your vehicle tested to an emissions inspection station within 90 days before you renew your registration.

Several weeks before your vehicle registration expires, you will receive a renewal notice from the DOR. You may renew your vehicle registration in person, online, or by mail.

How to Renew Your Tennessee Vehicle Registration in Person

To renew your registration in person you will need to bring in your renewal notice and the payment for your renewal fee to your County Clerk’s office.

How to Renew Your Tennessee Vehicle Registration Online

To renew your registration online, go here. You will need to enter your license plate number and pay the registration fees.

How to Renew Your Tennessee Vehicle Registration By Mail

To renew by mail, after you pass the emission test send the following to your County Clerk’s office:

  • Renewal form
  • Emission inspection compliance certificate (if applicable)
  • Payment for fees

Tennessee Vehicle Registration Fees

  • Personal vehicle- $26.50
  • Commercial vehicle (buses, taxis)
    • Seats 7 or less – $49.88
    • Seats 7 to 15 – $99.38
    • Seats 16 to 25 – $165.38
    • Seats 26 to 35 – $247.87
    • Seats 35+ up – $330.38
  • Motorcycle: $19.50
  • Electric vehicle – $100 (in addition to the standard registration fee)