Car Registration Requirements for New Utah Residents
Persons establishing residence in Utah with a vehicle registered in another state are subject to registration transfer obligations under state law.
Timeline for New Utah Residents
Individuals moving to Utah with an out-of-state vehicle must complete registration within 60 days of establishing residency.
Establishing Utah Residency
Utah Code §41-1a-202 defines "resident" as an individual who has established a domicile in the state, remains in Utah for six months or longer during a calendar year, engages in business activities other than seasonal operations, accepts employment, enrolls dependents in public schools for two consecutive school terms, or declares residency to obtain privileges not available to nonresidents.
Domicile means the location where an individual maintains a fixed permanent home and principal establishment, to which the individual intends to return when absent, and where the individual and family voluntarily reside with the intention of making a permanent home.
Required Documentation for Car Registration in Utah
New residents transferring an out-of-state title must gather ownership documents, complete inspections if required, and visit a DMV office to submit the application.
Essential Documents
- Out-of-state title or registration – Original document showing current ownership; if a lienholder retains the title as collateral, the most recent registration serves as acceptable proof (ownership documentation)
- Application for Utah Title – Form TC-656 – Completed by new vehicle owners with accurate vehicle identification information
- Certificate of Inspection – Form TC-661 – VIN inspection completed by a DMV employee, designated contractor, law enforcement agency employee, licensed dealer, certified safety inspector, or person authorized in writing by DMV (VIN inspection requirement)
- Valid government-issued identification – Utah driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, or other accepted form of identification
- Proof of insurance – Current policy documentation meeting Utah minimum coverage requirements
Insurance Requirements
Utah law requires all vehicles to maintain continuous insurance coverage throughout the registration period. Policies must include no-fault personal injury protection, bodily injury liability, and property damage liability coverage. The following minimum limits apply to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, as specified in Utah Code §31A-22-304:
| Coverage Type | Minimum Limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $30,000 |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $65,000 |
| Property Damage | $25,000 |
| Personal Injury Protection | $3,000 |
Application Submission Method
Visit any DMV office statewide; certain locations (Ogden, Farmington, Taylorsville, South Valley/Draper, Provo, Hurricane) require appointments
Utah Vehicle Inspection Requirements
Utah maintains two separate inspection programs affecting new resident vehicle registration: emissions testing in designated counties and safety inspections for specific vehicle categories.
Emissions Testing
Five counties require emissions inspections: Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber. Vehicles registered in these counties with model years less than six years old must obtain an emissions inspection once every two years. Vehicles six years old or older, back to model year 1967, require annual emissions inspections. Even-year model vehicles must pass inspection in even years; odd-year models in odd years.
New residents can locate certified inspection stations through the DMV website. Inspection certificates remain valid for eleven months prior to registration.
County Emissions Program Contacts:
- Cache County: (435) 792-6570
- Davis County: (801) 525-4975
- Salt Lake County: (385) 468-3837
- Utah County: (801) 851-7600
- Weber County: (801) 399-7140
Safety Inspections
As of January 1, 2018, most vehicles no longer require safety inspections for registration purposes. However, specific vehicle categories must pass annual safety inspections:
- Salvage vehicles (first-time registration only)
- Street-legal ATVs (initial registration and each ownership change)
- Commercial vehicles operating interstate at 10,001 pounds or greater GVWR/GCWR
- Commercial vehicles 26,001 pounds or greater GVWR/GCWR (interstate or intrastate)
- School buses
- Buses or vans for hire
- Taxicabs
- Ground transportation service provider vehicles
- Motor vehicles with three or more axles, or pulling trailers (Class 6 through Class 13 categories)
Registration Fees and Costs in Utah
Utah calculates registration fees based on vehicle type, fuel type, registered weight, county of residence, and other factors. T
Fee Calculation
New residents should use the Fee Estimator tool to calculate exact costs for their specific vehicle. The online calculator requires entry of vehicle identification number, purchase price, and address to generate accurate fee totals, including registration fees, sales tax, and applicable surcharges.
Title Fees
Sales and Use Tax
Utah imposes sales and use tax based on the vehicle purchase price, including cash payments, loan payoffs, and vehicle-to-vehicle trades documented in the same transaction.
Contact Information
Utah State Tax Commission – Motor Vehicle Division
210 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, UTAH 84116
Phone: (801) 297-7780 or 1-800-DMV-UTAH (800-368-8824)
Official Website: Utah DMV
Utah Highway Patrol – Vehicle Safety Inspection
4499 South 2700 West, Taylorsville, UTAH 84129
Phone: (801) 965-4889
Official Website: Safety Inspection
