Car Registration Requirements for New North Carolina Residents
Residents arriving in North Carolina with a vehicle registered in another state must obtain a certificate of title and registration plates from the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.
Timeline for New North Carolina Residents
Individuals must register their out-of-state vehicle within 60 days of establishing permanent residence in North Carolina. A North Carolina driver's license must be secured before vehicle registration can proceed.
Establishing North Carolina Residency
Residency is established when an individual makes North Carolina their principal place of residence. G.S. 20-52 governs registration applications and defines qualifying criteria for vehicle titling. Evidence of permanent residence includes physical address documentation, employment records, school enrollment, property ownership, or voter registration in the state.
Required Documentation for Car Registration in North Carolina
New residents must submit documentation, including the out-of-state title, completed application forms, proof of insurance, and a valid North Carolina driver's license before the vehicle can be titled and registered.
Essential Documents:
- Out-of-state certificate of title properly assigned by the previous owner, or registration card if title is held by a lender.
- Completed Title Application (Form MVR-1).
- Completed Odometer Disclosure (Form MVR-180) if vehicle is less than 10 years old.
- Valid North Carolina driver license or valid out-of-state driver license with North Carolina Temporary Driving Certificate.
- Proof of North Carolina liability insurance from a provider licensed in the state.
- Payment for title fee, registration fee, highway use tax, and property taxes.
Additional Requirements:
- For vehicles owned by multiple individuals, all signatures on required documents must be notarized and accompanied by a black-and-white copy of the alternate owner's valid driver's license or ID.
- Black-and-white copy of driver's license required if submitting paperwork by mail.
- Property taxes for the vehicle must be paid before registration.
Insurance coverage must be provided by a company licensed to do business in North Carolina. Out-of-state policies are not accepted. G.S. 20-309 requires continuous liability insurance for all vehicles with valid North Carolina registration.
| Coverage Type | Minimum Amount (Effective July 1, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (one person) | $50,000 |
| Bodily Injury (two or more people) | $100,000 |
| Property Damage | $50,000 |
Application Submission Methods
New residents submit registration applications in person at license plate agencies located throughout North Carolina.
North Carolina Vehicle Inspection Requirements
Motor vehicles registered in North Carolina must pass an annual safety inspection before registration or renewal. Vehicles registered in 19 designated counties must also pass an emissions inspection conducted simultaneously with the safety inspection.
Emissions Inspections
Vehicles registered in 19 counties must undergo on-board diagnostic emissions inspection: Alamance, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Cumberland, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Johnston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Randolph, Rowan, Wake, and Union. Testing ensures compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards.
Exemptions:
- Some light-duty vehicles less than 3 years old or with fewer than 70,000 miles.
- Vehicles 20 years old or older.
- Diesel-operated vehicles.
- Vehicles registered as farm vehicles.
Failure to obtain an inspection by the due date results in registration being blocked until the inspection is completed.
Registration Fees and Costs in North Carolina
Registration costs include title fees, registration plate fees, highway use tax, and property taxes. Fee amounts depend on vehicle classification, county of residence, and regional taxes.
Standard Fees (Effective July 1, 2024):
- Certificate of Title: $66.75
- Passenger vehicle registration: $46.25 annually
- 4,000-pound private truck registration: $46.25 annually
- Motorcycle/moped registration: $29.50 annually
- Trailer or semitrailer registration: $32.25 annually
- Electric vehicle fee: $214.50 annually
- Hybrid electric vehicle fee: $107.25 annually
Regional Fees:
- Durham, Orange, and Wake counties: additional $17.00 (Regional Transit Authority fee $10.00 plus County Vehicle Registration Tax $7.00)
- Randolph County: additional $1.00 (Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation Tax)
Highway Use Tax:
New residents transferring an out-of-state title to the same owner in North Carolina pay 3% of vehicle value. Property taxes assessed by county tax offices must be paid before registration.
Contact Information
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles
3101 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-3101
Phone: (919) 715-7000
North Carolina DMV
Vehicle Safety/Emissions Inspections Section
Phone: (919) 757-0752 or (877) 421-0020
Vehicle Safety/Emissions Inspections Section
