{"id":10284,"date":"2024-06-17T08:54:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T08:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=10284"},"modified":"2025-01-15T14:09:12","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T14:09:12","slug":"registering-your-car-in-a-new-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/auto\/registering-your-car-in-a-new-state\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Before I Have To Register My Car in My New State After a Move?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you move to a new state, you have to deal with all the logistics, including changing your address and finding the best restaurants near your new home. When it comes to your car insurance<\/a>, you need to first make sure your current insurer can legally operate in your new state. If you need to find a new carrier, it\u2019s always best to do that early, so you have a few days of overlapping coverage \u2013 just to be on the safe side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another important detail is updating your car registration. Wondering how to register your vehicle after a move? Each state has its own system, so you\u2019ll need to register your vehicle after moving. But how long do you have before your old registration is no longer valid in your new home? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While registering your car as soon as possible is always a good idea, some states give you more time than others. Keeping track of the deadlines can help you successfully manage your move and avoid any penalties for invalid licensing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the Registration Deadline<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because each state handles vehicle registration differently, deadlines can vary. There\u2019s usually a grace period with your local tax office or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to update your information, such as registering your car and getting a new license.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can give you the breathing room to handle all the administrative details of permanently moving to a new address. However, some states do require you to register your vehicle right away. Be sure to look up the rules in your new state before you move, then add the deadline to your moving checklist for a hassle-free transition to your new home<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only three states don\u2019t have a grace period for car licensing after moving: Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Mexico. That means you must register your car immediately after officially updating your address. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other states have deadlines that range from 10 days to 90 days. Here\u2019s a basic breakdown of the different registration periods:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State<\/strong> <\/td>Registration Deadline<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>
Alaska, Arizona, Florida <\/td>10 days <\/td><\/tr>
Kentucky <\/td>15 days <\/td><\/tr>
California, Pennsylvania <\/td>20 days <\/td><\/tr>
Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming <\/td>30 days <\/td><\/tr>
South Carolina <\/td>45 days <\/td><\/tr>
Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington D.C., Wisconsin <\/td>60 days <\/td><\/tr>
Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, South Dakota <\/td>90 days <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Prioritize your car registration based on the timeline in your new area. If you\u2019re moving to Michigan<\/a>, for example, registering your car should be your first priority once you establish residence. If you\u2019re moving to a state with a 90-day grace period, such as Colorado<\/a>, you\u2019ll have more breathing room. However, it\u2019s important to ensure you don\u2019t wait so long that you forget to register your car and miss the deadline. Update your licensing promptly to avoid any future issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Consequences of Missing the Registration Deadline<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s against the law to drive a vehicle that doesn\u2019t have an up-to-date registration. Even if you registered your car in your previous home state, you still need to register with your new state. Otherwise, you can get a ticket for driving an unregistered car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving without a valid registration is usually an administrative infraction that doesn\u2019t go on your criminal record. However, it can be considered a misdemeanor in some states. Common consequences for driving without up-to-date licensing include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n