How To Register a Car in Utah

Who Needs Vehicle Registration in Utah

Vehicle registration is mandatory for all motor vehicles operated on public roads within Utah. This requirement is established under the comprehensive Utah Code Title 41, which governs all aspects of motor vehicle operation, registration, and licensing throughout the state.

New residents who establish domicile in Utah must register their vehicles within 60 days of becoming residents. This deadline applies to individuals who obtain Utah driver's licenses, register to vote, engage in trade or profession, or establish other indicators of permanent residence. The 60-day period begins from the date residency is established through any qualifying activity.

Military personnel stationed in Utah who maintain legal domicile in another state are not required to register their vehicles in Utah, provided their vehicles remain properly registered in their home state. However, nonresident military personnel who purchase vehicles in Utah must pay sales/use tax if they plan to operate the vehicle in Utah. Military members may choose to register in Utah and may qualify for exemptions from property tax/age-based fees when doing so.

Students attending Utah educational institutions while maintaining nonresident status are generally exempt from registration requirements. Nonresident students paying nonresident tuition may maintain out-of-state registration in lieu of Utah registration, provided they remain registered full-time at an accredited Utah institution.

Businesses and commercial fleets operating vehicles with Utah bases must register all vehicles used within the state. Commercial vehicles engaged in Interstate Registration Plan (IRP) operations may register under the apportioned system for vehicles traveling across state lines, with registration handled through Utah DMV offices that serve as IRP base jurisdictions.

Temporary visitors and tourists may operate properly registered out-of-state vehicles in Utah without additional registration requirements, subject to the duration limits of their temporary presence and seasonal work restrictions.

What Types of Vehicles Need Registration in Utah

The following vehicle categories require registration in Utah:

Passenger vehicles including sedans, coupes, convertibles, station wagons, and sport utility vehicles used for personal transportation
Light trucks, pickup trucks, and vans under 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight used for personal or commercial purposes
Motorcycles including standard motorcycles, touring bikes, sport bikes, and street motorcycles exceeding 50cc engine displacement
Commercial vehicles including delivery trucks, service vehicles, and heavy trucks requiring commercial driver's licenses or exceeding weight thresholds
Heavy trucks and tractors used for commercial hauling operations with registered weights exceeding 26,000 pounds
Buses including school buses, public transit vehicles, and commercial passenger transport vehicles
Motor homes and recreational vehicles including Class A, B, and C motor homes used for recreational travel
Travel trailers and camping trailers including conventional travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and pop-up campers
Utility trailers exceeding 750 pounds unladen weight, including boat trailers and equipment trailers
Street-legal ATVs and low-speed vehicles meeting Utah equipment standards for public road operation
Manufactured housing and mobile homes used as permanent or temporary residences
Snowmobiles registered for trail system access and limited road use where permitted

Which Vehicles Are Exempt From Registration in Utah

Several vehicle categories are exempt from standard registration requirements in Utah:

Agricultural implements including tractors, combines, cultivators, and similar farm machinery used exclusively for agricultural operations are exempt when operated within the scope of farming activities and between agricultural properties.

Farm trailers and implements moved between agricultural properties under specific conditions maintain exemption status, provided they comply with lighting and safety equipment requirements during road transport.

Government vehicles owned and operated by federal, state, county, and municipal governments are exempt from registration fees and standard registration procedures, though they may display special government identification plates.

Military tactical vehicles and specialized military equipment transported on public roads under military authority maintain exemption status during official operations and training exercises.

Off-highway vehicles including ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes used exclusively on private property or designated off-road areas are exempt from standard registration, though they may require registration for Utah off-highway vehicle programs for trail access.

Golf carts and neighborhood electric vehicles used exclusively on private property, golf courses, or designated low-speed vehicle areas may be exempt from standard registration requirements.

Vehicles operated exclusively on private property including industrial sites, private roads, and enclosed facilities are exempt from registration requirements provided they do not access public roadways.

Vintage vehicles may qualify for special registration alternatives with limited road use privileges and modified renewal schedules under Utah vintage vehicle programs.

What Do You Need To Register a Car in Utah

Vehicle registration in Utah requires specific documentation and fee payments processed through DMV offices and authorized agents:

Required documents for registration include:

Completed Vehicle Application for Utah Title (Form TC-656) available from DMV offices and the Utah State Tax Commission
Proof of ownership including manufacturer's certificate of origin for new vehicles, properly assigned title for used vehicles, or court-ordered ownership documentation
Valid photo identification including Utah driver's license, state-issued identification card, passport, or military identification
Proof of insurance meeting Utah minimum liability coverage requirements of 25,000/50,000/25,000 for bodily injury and property damage
Odometer disclosure statement required for vehicles under 10 years old, completed on title or separate disclosure form
Lien documentation including lien holder information and security interest documentation for financed vehicles

VIN inspection requirements apply to vehicles being registered in Utah for the first time or newly purchased from out-of-state, with inspections conducted by law enforcement officers, DMV personnel, or authorized inspectors to verify vehicle identification numbers match title documentation.

Emissions inspection requirements apply in five counties: Salt Lake County, Davis County, Utah County, Weber County, and Cache County. Vehicles less than six years old require emissions testing every two years, while vehicles six years old and older require annual emissions testing. Diesel vehicles follow separate testing schedules.

Safety inspections are not required for most vehicles as of January 2018. Utah eliminated annual safety inspection requirements for standard passenger vehicles, though certain vehicle categories and first-time registrations may require safety verification.

Fees and taxes for vehicle registration include:

Sales/use tax at 6.85% statewide rate plus local tax rates varying by jurisdiction, typically totaling 7-8.5% of purchase price
Uniform age-based fees ranging from $150 for vehicles less than 3 years old to $10 for vehicles 26 years or older
Registration fees of $44 for vehicles under 14,000 pounds and $46 for motorcycles
Title fees of $6 for new titles and duplicate titles
New resident fees including applicable transfer taxes and processing charges

Registration must be completed within required timeframes to avoid late fees and penalties, with 30-day temporary permits available when additional time is needed for inspections or documentation.

Where to Register Your Vehicle in Utah

Utah operates a dual system combining state DMV offices with county assessor offices and authorized agents for vehicle registration services. Vehicle owners may visit any Utah DMV office statewide, while some counties maintain local registration services.

Major DMV office locations include:

Taylorsville DMV
4315 S 2700 W, Suite 1200, Taylorsville, UT 84129
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(801) 297-7780
Taylorsville DMV

Davis County DMV
969 W Clark Lane, Farmington, UT 84025
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(801) 297-7780
Davis County DMV

Provo DMV
150 East Center #1400, Provo, UT 84606
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(800) 368-8824
Provo DMV

Ogden DMV
2447 Lincoln Avenue, Ogden, UT 84401
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(801) 297-7780
Ogden DMV

Washington County DMV
100 South 5300 West, Hurricane, UT 84737
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(800) 368-8824
Washington County DMV

A complete directory is available at the Utah DMV office locations page. DMV offices provide full registration services including initial registrations, renewals, transfers, and specialty plate processing.

Authorized third-party agents including On The Spot (OTS) renewal stations, select credit unions, and automotive dealerships may process certain registration transactions under agreements with the Utah DMV, though initial registrations and title transfers typically require DMV office processing.

Can I Register a Vehicle Online in Utah?

Utah provides comprehensive online vehicle services through the Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP) and Renewal Express systems, offering convenient options for eligible transactions while maintaining security and verification requirements.

Available online services include:

Registration renewals for currently registered Utah vehicles with no outstanding violations, holds, or inspection requirements
Address changes for registered vehicle owners moving within Utah or updating contact information
Duplicate registration certificates for lost, stolen, or damaged registration documents
License plate replacements for damaged, lost, or stolen plates with expedited shipping options
Automatic renewal enrollment for convenient annual registration renewal processing
Registration information updates including contact details and vehicle information corrections

Online service limitations require in-person processing for:

Initial vehicle registration for new Utah residents, newly purchased vehicles, or first-time Utah registrations
Title transfers between owners requiring signature verification and document authentication
Out-of-state vehicle transfers requiring VIN inspections and emissions testing compliance
Lien additions or releases requiring secure document handling and verification processes
Commercial vehicle IRP registration requiring specialized documentation and fee calculations

Eligibility requirements for online services include:

No outstanding violations including unpaid fines, registration holds, or compliance issues
Current emissions compliance in applicable counties with valid inspection certificates
Verifiable insurance coverage meeting state minimum requirements with electronic verification capabilities
Valid payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, or electronic fund transfers accepted by the system

Online transactions typically process within 24-48 hours, with documents mailed to registered addresses and temporary permits available for immediate printing when applicable.

When Does Vehicle Registration Expire in Utah

Utah operates an annual registration system with expiration dates determined by the month of initial registration rather than owner birthdate or VIN-based systems. This registration-date system distributes renewal processing throughout the year while maintaining consistent expiration schedules for individual vehicles.

Registration expiration occurs on the last day of the registration month annually, with vehicles maintaining the same expiration month each year regardless of ownership changes. New registrations establish the expiration month that continues for the life of the vehicle's Utah registration.

Registration certificates and license plate decals display expiration months and years clearly, with current registration required for legal vehicle operation. Law enforcement officers routinely verify registration status through license plate readers and traffic stops.

Validity requirements for continued registration include:

Current insurance coverage meeting Utah minimum liability requirements with continuous coverage verification
Emissions compliance in applicable counties with valid inspection certificates meeting current requirements
Accurate address information with registration records matching actual vehicle location and owner contact details
Payment of required fees including registration fees, taxes, and any applicable penalties or late charges

Consequences of expired registration include traffic citations with fines typically ranging from $100-200, potential vehicle impoundment, and possible license suspension for habitual violators. Utah provides a 30-day grace period through temporary permits when vehicles need additional time for inspections or documentation.

Commercial vehicles and specialty registrations follow the same annual expiration system, though vintage vehicles may qualify for extended registration periods under special programs designed for limited-use collector vehicles with reduced annual requirements.

Renewal reminders are typically mailed 30-45 days before expiration, though vehicle owners remain responsible for timely renewal regardless of notice receipt, with online renewal available up to 60 days prior to expiration for advance planning.