How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Connecticut

Requesting a car registration renewal in Connecticut must be completed through the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In general, car registrations are used along with certificates of title in order to prove the legal ownership of a vehicle in the state. When you renew a car registration, you will be proving to local authorities that your vehicle’s taxes have been paid, and that you have maintained the proper auto insurance coverage that is required.

A CT DMV registration renewal allows you to maintain your legal status to operate the vehicle you own. In general, adequately preparing for this procedure can allow you to get the help that you need without the headaches of a long process. To learn more about DMV registration renewal fees, requirements and request methods, read the sections below.

Requirements for Car Registration Renewal in Connecticut

If you need to request a DMV car registration renewal in Connecticut, there are some important details that you must ensure are in place beforehand. Specifically, it is important for your existing CT registration to still be valid, considering that this document is required to legally operate a car in the state. Overall, your DMV registration renewal status is reliant on maintaining good standing with the DMV, which can only be done if you:

• Have your vehicle legally insured with minimum liability insurance, and do not have any liens or holds on it.
• Have submitted your vehicle to the required emissions testing in Connecticut.

If any of your important information has changed since your first registration date or last renewal, you may not proceed to renew a car registration until your credential is properly updated.

What do you need to renew your car registration in Connecticut?

When preparing to renew your vehicle’s credentials, you will need to be mindful of the Connecticut DMV registration renewal fees, requirements and procedures. Some of the information that is often requested by the DMV include:

• Relevant documents such as your title, current registration and CT drivers license.
• The personal identification number (PIN) that was issued by the DMV.
• Information from your renewal notice, including your vehicle identification number (VIN) and license plate number.
• Proof of your vehicle’s insurance, paid property taxes and emissions testing completion in the state of Connecticut.

Connecticut Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

A Connecticut vehicle registration renewal notice is sent to car owners whose credentials are reaching their expiration date. This document serves as a reminder for vehicle owners to renew a car registration with the DMV, and informs them of the different fees they may be subjected to. More often than not, this notice will be sent in the mail an estimated 45 days prior to a registration’s expiration date.

To renew a car registration online, in person or by mail, you may need the information that is detailed on your notice. This can include your VIN, license plate numbers, the registration fees that you are due to pay, the date that all of those fees are due and the methods through which you can pay them.

Connecticut Car Registration Renewal Notice Lost or Not Received

It is important to note that a lost registration renewal notice in Connecticut is not a significant concern. Generally, having a notice is not explicitly required in order to complete a renewal procedure, as there are other ways of getting the types of information you need.

For instance, you may choose to contact your local DMV office and ask about when and how much you will need to pay for your registration. You may also ask for a new renewal notice, if you prefer.

Connecticut Car Registration Renewal Options

Learning how to renew a car registration in Connecticut is very important for residents who own vehicles in the state. Generally, you will need to renew your vehicle registration every one or two years. Thus, you must be mindful of when your credentials will expire, as well as how much time each method of choice will take to process.

How to Renew Your Car Registration Online

Completing a Connecticut vehicle registration renewal online is one of the fastest available methods for car owners in the state to undergo this procedure. To do so, you must visit the official CT DMV online portal, create a PIN and follow the prompts that appear on the screen. To pay for the applicable fees, you must provide the website with a credit card.

How to Renew Your Car Registration by Mail

A motor vehicle registration renewal can be completed by mail in if you would like to submit physical copies of your relevant documents to the CT DMV. Generally, renewal notices will include a bottom portion that can be removed, filled out and sent in as your official application form along with the proper additional documents.

Alternatively, you may send in a separately addressed envelope with the same information. In any case, you must send all of the appropriate information to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 150456
Hartford, CT 06115-0456

How to Renew Your Car Registration in Person

If you opt for renewing your credentials in person, you will be required to identify where to renew a car registration at one of the many Connecticut DMV offices throughout the state. Applying in person can be particularly beneficial if you wish to ask questions and/or get a temporary registration while you are waiting for your renewal request to be processed.

Military & Out of State Vehicle Registration Renewal in Connecticut

To renew a car registration in CT as a military service member or while living out of state, there are additional rules and restrictions you should take into consideration. If you are an active duty military member stationed in Connecticut, you may continue using the documents from your home state, or choose to switch over to a CT registration.

Similarly, if you are a Connecticut resident who is out of state at the time that you find yourself with an expired vehicle registration, you may still renew it through the CT DMV. On the other hand, if you have decided to reside in another state permanently, you will need to get a new registration with your new state DMV.

Connecticut Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees

The total CT car registration renewal cost that you will be responsible for will be listed on your renewal notice. These fees include:

• Vehicle-type fees. Depending on the type of vehicle you own, you will need to pay a different amount to the DMV. For example, standard passenger cars have a base fee of $80, while motorcycles have a fee of $42 and ATVs have a fee of $20.
• Additional fees. There are many small fees added on to a renewal in Connecticut, which serve a variety of purposes. For example, the Clean Air Act Fee in CT is $5 to $10, based on the type of vehicle being registered. Additionally, there is often a $10 Administration Fee for all vehicle renewals in the state.