Do You Need Insurance To Register A Car? (2022)

Read up on the requirements for insurance and registering a car in your state.

By: Motor1.com Team

Updated: Dec 16, 2021 at 5:05am ET

In nearly all states, drivers must maintain both a current vehicle registration and auto insurance to be street legal. But do you need insurance to register a car, or can you purchase coverage afterward?

This article will guide you through the requirements for vehicle registration so you can be prepared for your DMV visit. Check out the steps you should take regarding car insurance and vehicle registration, then see our recommendations for the best auto insurance companies to get cheap coverage in your state.

If you want to see how much you can save on a car insurance policy, enter your zip code below or call (844) 246-8209 for free quotes.

In this article:

Common Car Registration Requirements
Can You Register A Vehicle Without A Driver’s License?
What To Do If Your Insurance Expires After Registration
Our Recommendations For Car Insurance

Common Car Registration Requirements

When you visit a local DMV to register your car, the information you must provide will depend on your state, how you acquired your vehicle, and whether you’re an out-of-state driver. In general, however, you will need to provide the following:

Legal name
Gender
Date of birth
Address where the vehicle is garaged
Vehicle title
Information about the vehicle including its physical description, mileage, and vehicle identification number (VIN)
Information about how you obtained the car (transfer of ownership, financing with a lienholder, handed down from family, etc.)

Sometimes, states will also mandate that you need insurance to register a car. See your state’s requirements below.

Do You Need Insurance To Register A Car In Your State?

Across the country, most states require you to have proof of valid car insurance in order to register your vehicle. Some states, although they require insurance to drive a car, do not require insurance to register one. Drivers are simply instructed to obtain car insurance coverage before they drive the vehicle. Those states are Arizona, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.

New Hampshire is the only state that does not require drivers to carry car insurance. It simply requires that drivers can prove financial responsibility if they get into an accident and pay a $500 fee to register their vehicle as uninsured. In many cases, drivers in New Hampshire end up purchasing car insurance coverage anyway.

Below is an overview of vehicle registration requirements by state, according to AAA, including whether you need insurance to register a car and which documents and inspections you need.

State	Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car?	Other Required Documents and Inspections
Alabama	Yes	Safety inspections are needed to transfer ownership
Alaska	Yes	Emissions inspections are required every two years in some areas
Arizona	Not required for registration, but before driving the car	Emissions inspections are required in some areas
Arkansas	Yes	Certificate of origin is required
California	Yes	Smog inspections are required for some vehicles in certain counties
Colorado	Yes	Emissions inspections are required in some counties
Connecticut	Yes	Bill of sale, proper ID, and emissions testing documentation are required
Delaware	Yes	Safety inspections are required
Florida	Yes	None
Georgia	Yes	Emissions inspections are required annually in some counties
Hawaii	Yes	Safety inspections are required annually
Idaho	Yes	Emissions inspections are only required in Ada County and Canyon County
Illinois	Yes	Emissions inspections are required in some counties
Indiana	Yes	Emissions inspections are required in some areas
Iowa	Yes	None
Kansas	Yes	None
Kentucky	Yes	Registration application may need to include bill of sale, and emissions inspections are required in some areas
Louisiana	Yes	Safety inspections are required annually statewide, and emissions inspections are required in some areas
Maine	Yes	Safety inspections are required annually statewide, and emissions inspections are required in some areas
Maryland	Yes	Emissions inspections are required every two years, and safety inspections are required when changing ownership or registering out-of-state vehicle
Massachusetts	Yes	Safety and emissions inspections are required annually
Michigan	Yes	None
Minnesota	Yes	Safety inspections may be required in some areas
Mississippi	Not enforced through vehicle registration	None
Missouri	Yes	Safety and emissions inspections are required every two years in some counties
Montana	Yes	None
Nebraska	Yes	None
Nevada	Yes	Smog and emissions inspections are required annually in some areas
New Hampshire	Auto insurance is not required	Safety and emissions inspections are required annually
New Jersey	Yes	Emissions inspections are required every two years
New Mexico	Yes	Emissions inspections are required in some areas
New York	Yes	Safety and emissions inspections are required annually
North Carolina	Yes	Safety inspections are required annually, and an emissions inspection is required statewide for initial registration and annually thereafter in some counties
North Dakota	Not enforced through vehicle registration	Certificate of origin may be required
Ohio	Yes	Emissions inspections are required every two years
Oklahoma	Yes	None
Oregon	Yes	Emissions inspections are required before registration renewal
Pennsylvania	Yes	Safety and emissions inspections are required annually
Rhode Island	Yes	Safety and emissions inspections are required every two years
South Carolina	Yes	None
South Dakota	Yes	None
Tennessee	Not enforced through vehicle registration	Certificate of origin is required, and emissions inspections are required before registration renewal
Texas	Yes	Safety inspections are required annually statewide, and emissions inspections are also required in some areas
Utah	Yes	Emissions inspections are required annually, and safety tests are also required periodically
Vermont	Yes	Safety and emissions inspections are required annually
Virginia	Yes	Safety inspections are required annually, and emissions inspections are required every two years
Washington	Not enforced through registration	None
West Virginia	Yes	Safety inspections are required annually
Wisconsin	Not enforced through registration	Emissions inspections are required before registration renewal
Wyoming	Yes	None

Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles to learn specifics of driving laws in your area. You can also find out if your DMV takes online registration renewals, which is a convenient tool to help you avoid long lines.

Do You Need Insurance To Get Plates?

If you live in a state that requires you to provide proof of insurance before registering your car, you will need insurance to get plates as well. You will receive a license plate when registering your vehicle or a plate renewal tag when you renew your registration.

Can You Register A Vehicle Without A Driver’s License?

If you’re wondering whether you need insurance to register a car, you may also be curious about the other requirements for vehicle registration. In order to legally drive a car in any state, you must carry a valid driver’s license. You’ll use this government identification for many things, including registering a vehicle.

Proper identification not only verifies that you are the owner of a vehicle, but it also shows proof that you are legally allowed to drive in your state.

What To Do If Your Insurance Expires After Registration

Many state DMV offices can monitor drivers’ car insurance statuses online. This means that when you start a policy, insurers can send information about you and your vehicle(s) to the local Department of Motor Vehicles. While this is helpful for registering a car, it also means the DMV will know almost immediately if your insurance policy lapses. If and when the DMV discovers a lapse, you could face serious consequences including registration suspension.

Driving without insurance coverage is illegal in most states. If you get caught driving uninsured, you could risk getting a simple ticket, a larger fine, or even jail time. The consequence will vary depending on your location and the severity of the incident. For instance, the punishment may be less strict if you are caught speeding as opposed to if you cause a serious accident that results in injuries.

If you drive uninsured, you could also have your license or registration suspended. If this happens, you will have to prove financial responsibility to the court and pay reinstatement fees that range from $10 to $500, depending on the state and your violation.

Some states have a grace period during which you can update your insurance coverage after moving. However, you never want to let your insurance lapse after a policy ends. Ask your insurance agency about setting up automatic payments and automatic policy renewal to avoid losing coverage.

Our Recommendations For Car Insurance

In the United States, it’s crucial for drivers to maintain quality auto insurance coverage. Car insurance can give you peace of mind while driving by protecting your passengers, your vehicle, and yourself in the case of an accident.

Our review team has taken a look at the biggest names in auto insurance, comparing companies’ coverage options, costs, discount opportunities, customer service scores, and more. Based on this research, we recommend drivers looking for cheap auto insurance check out Geico and Progressive.

However, unless you get quotes from multiple insurers, you can’t be sure which company will offer you the best deal. You can start comparing free insurance quotes from top providers by entering your zip code into the tool below or calling (844) 246-8209.

Geico: 4.6 Stars

Geico is one of the largest and most recognizable insurers in the nation. The insurer provides full coverage options and high-quality customer service at affordable prices. Drivers can save even more money by qualifying for discounts for things like bundling policies, paying their premium in full, and practicing safe driving habits.

You can learn more in our full Geico auto insurance review.

Progressive: 4.6 Stars

Progressive auto insurance is another solid choice for coverage, especially for high-risk drivers. On top of offering above-average customer service and great initial rates, Progressive also has many money-saving features, including discounts for being a good student, insuring multiple vehicles, going paperless, and more.

Find out more in our comprehensive Progressive auto insurance review.

Methodology

In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of auto insurance providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.

Industry Standing: Insurers with strong financial ratings and customer-first business practices receive the highest scores in this category.
Availability: We consider availability by state as well as exclusions for specific groups of drivers.
Coverage: This rating is based on types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
Cost and Discounts: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of drivers in every state. Companies with lower prices and many car insurance discount opportunities receive the best scores.
Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and consumer feedback studies from experts like J.D. Power.
Technology: Auto insurers with mobile apps, advanced online services and telematics are more likely to meet consumer needs.

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