Frequently Asked Questions

Residents of Alabama with expiring car registrations must renew car registration by the end of the month corresponding to their last name. Reasons why an Alabama resident may not be allowed to obtain a car registration renewal include:

• No proof of insurance
• Unpaid moving violations
• Past the expiration date ($15 late fee)

To learn more about how to renew car registration, contact your local Department of Revenue office.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Vehicles owners are responsible for renewing car registrations if going in person to a Department of Revenue registration office. However, if you receive a car registration renewal notice, you can have somebody else renew on your behalf with the notice.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Alabama

All mechanically propelled vessels must be registered in Alabama. First confirm the length of your boat. Boats are divided into classes based on length as follows:

• Class I: Less than 16 feet
• Class II: 16 feet to less than 26 feet
• Class III: 26 feet to less than 40 feet
• Class IV: 40 feet and above

Fees to register boats are as follows:

• Class I: $18
• Class II: $23
• Class III: $73
• Class IV: $98

All new boat registrations will also come with a $2 issuance fee. Fees may vary.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Alabama

While it is not a requirement to report lost or stolen car registrations to law enforcement officials, it is recommended. To do so, file a police report at the local law enforcement agency. Then, bring the police report along with a completed Application For Replacement Credentials to an AL DMV office.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Alabama

No, you are not required to surrender your license plate when moving. The exceptions are when getting new car insurance or getting a new type of license plate, like a personalized tag. You must also surrender any plates you find that have been reported lost, damaged or stolen.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Alabama

Yes, you must surrender damaged license plates and/or car registration when applying to replace car registrations. If the registration is damaged to the point that it cannot be surrendered, submit a notarized statement claiming so.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Registering motorized scooters in Alabama should be treated the same as motorcycle registration. To register motorcycles in the state, you must apply through the Alabama DMV. Registering motorcycles requires the vehicle title, a registration fee, processing fee and any documents supporting your claim to ownership. Vehicles must be registered within 20 days of purchase. To learn more about how to register motorcycles, visit a local AL DMV office. There is currently no option to register motorcycles online.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Alabama

Alabama DMV law does not require vehicles to undergo an emissions test prior to registration. To apply for a car registration in Alabama, visit a local AL DMV office. Car registrations can be obtained in person with the proper documentation and DMV car registration fees.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Alabama

You have the option to process car registration renewal by mail or in person at a local AL DMV office. Many counties also offer the option to renew car registrations online (check your county licensing website to see if you are able to renew car registration online). To find out how to renew car registration by mail, refer to the car registration renewal notice mailed out to you prior to the expiration date. To renew in person, visit a local car tag and title office with your driver s license, renewal notice and current registration. There is an annual fee for renewing car registrations in Alabama.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Drivers can transfer their out of state car registration to Alabama by applying for a new Alabama car registration. To qualify for an Alabama vehicle registration, drivers must make sure that their car can pass a vehicle inspection and have has liability car insurance.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Alabama

Disabled residents apply for handicap placards with the Alabama DMV. To apply for handicap placards, print and complete a Handicap Placard Application. The form must be completed by a licensed physician before a handicap permit/handicap tag can be issued. Handicap parking is available to residents with both temporary and permanent disabilities. Handicap Placard Applications must be submitted in person at a local AL DMV office.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Alabama

To file a police report for a stolen car registration, go to the police station. Once the report has been filed, bring the copy to a local AL DMV office and you may have the replacement fees waived.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Alabama

To replace car registration, print and complete an Application for Replacement Credentials. With this form, you can also request license plate and decal duplicates. Once completed, send the form and duplicate car registration fee to a local AL DMV office.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Residents of Alabama looking to obtain new car registration can apply through the Alabama DMV. For a DMV new car registration, inspection is required to ensure the vehicle meets Alabama street legal standards. Registering new cars also requires minimum liability insurance, which Alabama DMV confirms using the Online Insurance Verification System (OIVS). You have 20 days from the date of purchase of a vehicle to register new cars. To learn more about how to register new cars, contact a local AL DMV office.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Alabama

Yes, to renew expired car registrations incurs a $15 late fee. If you are stopped by law enforcement officials and found to be driving with an expired car registration, you may receive additional fines.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Alabama residents who have lost their car registrations can replace lost car registrations through the Alabama DMV. To do so, print and complete an Application for Replacement Credentials. From there, present the application form to DMV officials at a local AL DMV office.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Alabama law requires drivers to provide proof of car registration whenever they are asked by law enforcement officials. As a result, it is recommended that you keep car registration in the vehicle at all times. Car registration documentation is provided at the time of registration fee payment.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Alabama

Common reasons for car registration replacement include:

• Stolen car registration (police report recommended)
• Lost car registration (police report recommended)
• Damaged car registration
• Incorrect car registration

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Required fees for a car registration copy vary based on county. The type of vehicle, weight and county taxes determine the cost for vehicle registration replacements.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Fees vary based on the size and weight of the vehicle. Common registration fees are as follows:

• Passenger vehicles 8,000 pounds or less: $23
• Motorcycles: $15
• Personalized plates: $50 (in addition to vehicle annual fee)

Vehicles weighing between 8,001 and 80,000 pounds have an annual car registration renewal fee ranging between $35 and $815. Renewing car registrations for vehicles above 80,000 pounds costs $890 a year. To learn more about how to renew car registrations in Alabama, visit a local AL DMV office.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Alabama

When replacing car registrations in Alabama, print and complete an Application for Replacement Credentials. Then bring the form and fee to replace lost car registration to a local AL DMV office. There is currently no option to replace car registration online.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Alabama

The required documents necessary for registering cars in Alabama include:

• Copy of vehicle s title
• Bill of sale
• Dealer affidavit (if purchased out of state)
• Alabama driver s license
• Proof of insurance
• Odometer disclosure statement (vehicles under 16,000 pounds and less than 10 years old)
• Required fee to register car

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Alabama

When renewing car registrations, bring the following:

• DMV registration renewal notice
• Drivers license
• Expiring car registration

If your county allows you to renew car registration online, use the PIN printed on your car registration renewal notice.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Alabama residents renewing car registrations in person at a Department of Revenue office will receive new registration documents that same day. Drivers who renew car registrations online or by mail will receive their new auto registration documents in the mail. Keep your receipt from the online purchase as proof of the order until you receive the documents. If you have not received your new registration in a timely manner, contact your local Department of Revenue office.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Alabama car registrations have staggered expiration dates based on the first letter of the owner s last name. Renewal months are as follows:

• Last names starting with A or D: renew in January
• Last names starting with B: renew in February
• Last names starting with C or E: renew in March
• Last names starting with F, G or N: renew in April
• Last names starting with H or O: renew in May
• Last names starting with M or I: renew in June
• Last names starting with P or L: renew in July
• Last names starting with J, K or R: renew in August
• Last names starting with Q, S or T: renew in September
• Last names starting with U, V, W, X, Y or Z: renew in October

Drivers must renew expired car registrations by the end of their corresponding months to avoid late registration fees.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Alabama

DMV offices are located in Alabama counties throughout the state. To obtain a car registration copy, print and complete an Application for Replacement Credentials. From there, present the application form to DMV officials at a local AL DMV office.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Residents of Alabama dealing with stolen, damaged or lost car registration must apply for a car registration replacement through the Alabama DMV. To do so, print and complete an Application for Replacement Credentials. From there, present the application form to DMV officials at a local AL DMV office. There is currently no option to replace car registration online.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Most Alabama county car registration offices will mail out a notice to renew expired car registrations prior to the expiration month. If you have not received the DMV notice to renew car registration documentation, contact your local registration office to make sure they have your correct address. You must have a notice to renew car registration online, as the PIN for online vehicle registration is printed on it.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Alabama

Alabama car registrations have staggered expiration dates based on the first letter of the vehicle owner s last name. Renewal months are as follows:

• Last names starting with A or D: renew in January
• Last names starting with B: renew in February
• Last names starting with C or E: renew in March
• Last names starting with F, G or N: renew in April
• Last names starting with H or O: renew in May
• Last names starting with M or I: renew in June
• Last names starting with P or L: renew in July
• Last names starting with J, K or R: renew in August
• Last names starting with Q, S or T: renew in September
• Last names starting with U, V, W, X, Y or Z: renew in October

Drivers must renew expired car registrations by the end of their corresponding months to avoid late registration fees.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Alabama