AlabamaCAR REGISTRATION

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Easy Guide

5th Edition

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Table of contents

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Vehicle Registration

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Getting a vehicle is always an exciting adventure. It doesn’t matter if it is your first car or if you have already purchased many vehicles in the past, making the decision to obtain a car is a big step and it must be taken carefully to avoid any inconveniences.

Whenever you purchase a car, whether it is new or used, it must be registered to be legally driven in your state of residence. Also, when you change your residential address to another state, you will have to follow the procedure to transfer your registration.

The entire process looks very complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Our Easy Guide will provide you step-by-step information on how you can register your vehicle. Learn how you can also transfer your out-of-state registration and renew proper credentials at the appropriate time. Additionally, we will make sure you have all the necessary documents and forms on your person, so you do not experience any delay to your car registration process. Sit back and relax while we guide you towards getting your vehicle registration in no time.

Registration insurance requirements

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When you go to register your vehicle, you will be required to obtain insurance before you are allowed to continue with the process at the Alabama Department of Public Safety. This is a necessary requirement in order to help reduce the number of uninsured drivers on the road which can often result in high costs if you are involved in any vehicle accident.

If you are looking forward to applying for your vehicle registration, it will be required that you obtain liability insurance for your automobile before you can register and legally drive your car without any penalties. Liability insurance is designed to help you pay for any and all damages or injuries you caused to someone due to a car accident. The coverage plan must be acquired in Alabama from a licensed insurance company. Out-of-state insurance plans are not accepted in Alabama.

In Alabama, you must comply with the following liability coverage minimums:

1. For property damage - $25, 000.

2. For bodily injury or death per person - $25, 000.

3. For bodily injury or death per accident of two or more persons- $50, 000.

It is important to always carry proof of insurance when driving, in case an officer or any other authority requests it. The documents must be legible and show that the car is properly covered. to provide proof of insurance you may use:

• Your insurance card.

• Proof of purchase showing you bought the car no more than 20 days ago, plus your insurance card.

• A liability insurance certificate.

• A motor rental agreement specifying the insurance was requested already.

TipYour vehicle registration may get suspended if you cannot prove your car is insured. Remember to carry these documents with you while

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Registering your vehicle in Alabama

One of the most important parts of the vehicle registration process in Alabama is taking a look at the requirements you will need to meet, as well as the steps you must follow depending on the type of car you hold. Whether you are submitting a request for a new, used, out-of-state, military, or special type of vehicle, you should review the specific instructions to correctly register your car so you can make sure the process is as easy and quick as possible. In order to this, you can simply read the outlined steps below to better understand what exactly you must do in order to legally drive your vehicle in Alabama and begin driving as soon as possible!

REGISTER A NEW VEHICLE Normally, if you purchased a brand new car at a dealership, you do not have to worry about registering it since they take care of all the process; nevertheless, in case your dealership didn’t or if you bought it using a different method, you will have to register it yourself.

Important dates or timeframesYou have 20 days to register your new vehicle whether you bought it from a dealership or a private party.

When buying a car from a dealership, you need go to your local registration office and have the following documents:

• Copy of the certification of origin.

• Bill of sale.

• Odometer disclosure.

• Proof of Alabama insurance.

• Vehicle license plates, if applicable.

• Your driver’s license.

Take into account that if you want to transfer the plates or if the dealership was from another state, you are required to present proper documentation to process the correct registration on your vehicle document.

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REGISTER A USED VEHICLEIf you purchased a used car from an individual or private party, you will have to register it within 20 days of the acquisition.

The process to register a vehicle when bought from a private party is a little different. You would have to take some other documentation to be able to continue with this request. You must go to the local registration office and:

• Make sure your car was properly transferred from the former owner.

• Take the vehicle license plates.

• Carry all the vehicle registration documents you have.

• Surrender the old plates.

• Show proof of Alabama insurance.

• Provide an odometer record (applicable when the vehicle is less than 10 years and 16, 000 pounds).

• Show your driver’s license.

TipCheck the Alabama Department of Public Safety schedule, location and phone number so you can book your appointment and complete your registration.

REGISTER AN OUT-OF-STATE VEHICLEThe registration will vary if the automobile is leased or not.

For leased cars:

The first step is to find the closest local registration office. Once you schedule your appointment or at least have an idea when you will be visiting the AL MVD branch, gather the following information:

Documents• A copy or original leasing company title showing both sides of it.

• The power of attorney stating you are allowed to register that vehicle.

• Current out-of-state registration.

• Pay the fees.

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For non-leased vehicles:

Locate the nearest local registration office and then, present the actual vehicle title. If the car is also registered under somebody else’s name, that person must be present or you must show a power of attorney specifying you can register the car. If the car has a lienholder, present all relevant information. Get all the automobile registration documents you have and complete the VIN inspection. Once you visit the Alabama MVD agency with those papers, you will have to pay the fees and get your car registered.

REGISTRATION FOR MILITARY MEMBERSThere are three different situations for military members in or from Alabama.

• Non-residents stationed in Alabama are not asked to register their vehicles, but they must have a valid registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles at their hometown.

• Residents will have to follow the same procedure as a regular resident.

• Finally, residents who are stationed out of Alabama would have to register their vehicle by mail, but not all the county licensing agencies offer this service. It is recommended to confirm whether you can submit your request using this or another method.

FeesCheck the registration fee schedule details here.

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Renewing your vehicle registration

Is it time to renew your vehicle registration? Much like with many things in life, such as your driver license and even food products, your vehicle registration will be at risk of expiring and that will mean your vehicle is deemed invalid to drive legally. This can be solved by simply making sure to renew your vehicle’s registration before the expiration date is allowed to pass by unattended. Therefore, allowing your vehicle registration to expire is not a well advised thing to do, as it will mean you are no longer able to legally drive with your vehicle. Having this happen limits your ability to travel as you please or even for emergency purposes.

Usually, if your address is filed at the Alabama Department of Public Safety, you will receive a notice with the renewal information to proceed with the rest of the steps. This warning arrives to your mail as a courtesy of the county, but if you do not get it, you still need to renew. We will specify the other ways to keep your vehicle registration up to date.

The following options are available to renew your vehicle registration:

IN PERSONCheck the closest county Department of Public Safety office and take your renewal notice (if you received one) or your registration. When you get to the MVD branch, show proof of identification such as your ID card or driver’s license and pay the renewal fee.

Visiting the agency personally, you will receive your new plate decals immediately.

ONLINEThis method is not available in all counties and the ones that have it normally include some other requirements plus extra fees.

First, you need to have the Record Number listed on the renewal notification you received. In case you have a PIN to renew online, you can access the Alabama eServices website and select your county. Then, click on “Renew an Automobile”. There, you will type your record number which you can find on the renewal notice. You will be asked to enter your license and tag number. Finally, you must pay the fees using a debit or credit card and print your receipt.

The receipt you printed will work as proof of registration, if needed, while you wait for the new documents to arrive by mail.

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TipCheck with your local Department of Public Safety agency in case you do not receive your new car registration document in a fair time.

By MailIf you received the renewal notification in your mail, open the package and verify all documents are correct and complete. Then, you will have to follow the instructions to complete your renewal. The check or money order you will be using to pay the fees must be sent to the address specified on the notice. The process may take longer than usual, but you can always confirm with your local Alabama MVD office to clear any doubts.

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Replacing your vehicle registration

Has something happened to your vehicle registration? Well, it doesn’t matter if your vehicle registration was recently lost, stolen, or even damaged, the Alabama MVD will help you in obtaining a new one as soon as possible regardless of the situation. You may request a replacement in person at the AL MVD office.

To replace in person, you would need to present your ID card or driver’s license. It is recommended to verify with the AL MVD office if you have to pay any fee since not all the counties will charge for the car registration replacement.

Download an Application For Replacement Credentials form, and fill it out with your information such as name, phone, and also your vehicle’s information such as the VIN and plate numbers. At the end, sign the application and take it to the local MVD agency.

Your vehicle registration may have been stolen as well, and that is why you are looking for ways to replace it. In this case, you can contact the local authorities and expose your case so they can file a report and get you a form which you can take to the AL MVD office and get your replacement for free.

Also, if you work as a direct employee of the government or volunteer fire fighter you must download an Application For Replacement License Plates and Registration Receipts For Government License Plates form and fill it out with the required information, such as your VIN number, name, and address. Once you complete it, you have to send the document to this address:

Alabama Department of RevenueMotor Vehicle DivisionRegistration SectionP.O. Box 327630Montgomery, AL 36132-7630

If you have any questions, the form will provide you with a phone number for you to call or fax your doubts.

Check the fees information here.

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Updating your vehicle registration

Whether you are moving homes to a new city or making a major change such as changing some part of your name, you will need to consider how these changes affect your legal documents.

CHANGING YOUR NAMEChanging your name is not only the result of a big change in your life, but it will also greatly affect your documents and general information in regards to your identity. If you have officially changed your name, then you will surely be required to update it on all of your identification documents and cards, including your car registration. Doing this is very simple, but you need to contact the Social Security Administration first so the Alabama Department of Public Safety can verify the modification.

Contact your SSA agency and take with you proof of your identity, name change, and U.S citizenship. Check a complete list of accepted documents here. Make sure you are carrying only original documents since the SSA will not receive any copies of your documentation. Download and fill out an Application for a Social Security Card and take it with you when you go request your name change.

The application should be submitted by mail or personally at the SSA office. Your new card should arrive by mail within the following 10 days. When you get your new SS card, you can contact the AL MVD agency, and take with you proof of identity, name change, and U.S citizenship plus the vehicle certification. After you pay the $15 fee, you will receive your updated document. Payments can be made by cash or money orders payable to the Driver License Division.

CHANGING YOUR ADDRESSIn the case that you may have recently moved to a new address, it is essential that you update the address on your car registration as well. All you must do is stick to the process and once you have completed every step properly, your car registration will be updated.

You can simply contact your Alabama MVD office and report you just changed your address. The records will be updated by phone. However, if you definitely want to have your new address visible in your car registration, you would have to follow the same procedure as if you were replacing it.

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License plates

When you register your vehicle, the ADOR assigns a license plate number to you. Whenever you renew your registration, your license plates are also renewed. The MVD will give you a decal that you must attach to the license plate. The decal has the expiration date of your registration and must be up to date at all times.

Besides the regular Alabama license plates, there are also specialty plates which are made around a specific theme or cause, such as professional associations, sports, universities and environmental themes. They may be purchased at an additional cost which helps fund the particular cause. Obtain your regular and specialty license plates at any of the AL MVD offices across the state.

REPLACING YOUR LICENSE PLATESYour license plate is what identifies your vehicle to the authorities and is used to keep track of your driving behavior. This is why it must always be in good conditions and completely legible. If your license plate gets lost, stolen or defaced, you may request a new one at an AL MVD office. In case your plates were stolen, you need to report it to the local authorities for them to guide you filling out a form and file the incident.

To replace your license plates, go to the AL MVD office, get the working hours, address and phone numbers and take with you an Application For Replacement Credentials form. Don’t forget to include your information such as name, phone, and also your vehicle’s information such as the VIN and plate numbers. At the end, sign the application and take it to the closest MVD agency.

Check the fees information here.

GETTING CUSTOM PLATESVanity plates are used for different vehicles types like commercial, motorcycle, livery, private passenger, antiques and camper vehicles. These original plate designs must be previously approved; therefore, you can check if the type you want to have on your vehicle is obtainable. Click here to check the availability. When you access the website and accept the privacy agreements, you will be able to get creative and make your own plate design. Some plates are not available for everyone who requests it; however, you can always verify if you can apply for it. The whole process for you to get your new custom plates is four to six weeks.

Once your custom plate is approved, you can go to the closest AL MVD agency and pay an additional $50 fee besides the standard charge.

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SURRENDERING ALABAMA LICENSE PLATESIf you are going to live out of Alabama, you are not required to surrender your license plates to the Alabama Department of Revenue because those plates are yours. However, if you come from another state and are planning to establish your residency in AL, you would have to check with your current state authorities if it is necessary to surrender your plates or not.

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Vehicle Safety Tips

The most important thing before you begin driving any vehicle is that both you and the vehicle are well prepared for any trip you make. This means checking and making any changes to your vehicle or your behavior to make sure that you are able to drive safely at all times.

EMERGENCY KITOne of the essentials to safe driving is having a basic emergency kit available in your vehicle at all times. This kit should include basic items such as water, extra batteries, rope, First Aid kit, matches, a whistle, etc. During winter months it is also important to carry items such as blankets, non-perishable foods, extra gloves and socks, and a shovel.

WINTER DRIVINGOne of the most dangerous times to drive is during the winter, especially if you live in an area that snows. Therefore, it is best to consider these tips to drive safely during the winter.

• Don’t Rush! Roads are often covered in snow and ice after it snows, so instead

of driving fast and risking an accident in your rush to get to your destination try leaving a few minutes earlier than usual. This will allow you to drive slower and help to avoid rushing other drivers by not tailgating them if they are going slower.

• Don’t Panic If You Skid or Slip In the case that your vehicle does ski or slip while driving make sure

you do not panic and slam down on your brakes. Instead all you need to do is apply slow and even pressure on your brakes until you stop. This will prevent you from spinning further out of control.

• Check Your Vehicle Before you even leave your house make sure your vehicle’s controls,

brakes, tank, tires, antifreeze, exhaust, etc. are all working properly. It is also important that you remove all ice and snow from your car before you begin driving; this prevents the snow from blocking your view while you drive.

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DRINKING AND DRIVINGEvery year thousands are killed as a result of drinking and driving. This is something that is very easily prevented; it only requires that you plan ahead of time by taking these steps.

Even before you begin drinking you should arrange for someone else to be the designated driver. In the case that they also become intoxicated, it is important that you arrange to take a taxi. Never allow someone drunk to drive, instead take away their keys and call for alternative transportation.

If you see someone who you suspect is drunk, and they exhibit signs of intoxication while driving such as making wide turns, weaving, swerving, braking erratically, turning abruptly, etc. call 911 and contact authorities immediately. also make sure to avoid them on the road to ensure your own safety.

USING YOUR PHONEDriving while using your cellphone is one of the most dangerous things you can do because during those few seconds your attention is diverted to your phone, a major accident could occur. So, make sure you don’t text, use of the Internet on your phone, or receive calls while you drive to prevent accidents as best as possible.

THINGS TO AVOIDDriving isn’t always a relaxing experience. There are certain actions that can be both an annoyance and dangerous to you while on the road driving. These things are often avoidable if you make sure to take the necessary steps towards preventing them, as well as stopping them after you discover them to be occurring.

Car Accidents The best way to avoid car accidents is to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive and will not cause you any problems. to do this you only need to regularly check that your brakes are functioning properly, your tires are inflated and not worn out, and that the steering and suspensions are checked by a mechanic and will not fail while you drive, especially at high speeds.

Wasting Gas As the price of gas goes up you may begin to start looking for ways to save on those expensive trips to the pump. Well, saving on gas is something that is possible if you take a few steps towards ensuring that you waste less gas.

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Some of the ways you can start saving gas are: not using air conditioning, not leaving your engine running, or speeding above 60 mph. These things are preventable and not necessary for you to drive, therefore you can quickly reduce the amount of gas you waste.

Another way to save on gas is to make sure that your vehicle is functioning properly, you can do this by checking that your tires are properly inflated, your engine is well tuned, and check that your octane level is the correct amount to your vehicle’s needs.

Aggressive DrivingAggressive driving and drivers are both things that should be avoided to prevent any on-road aggression or accidents. Aggressive driving is categorized as exhibiting behaviors such as aggressive tailgating, verbal or physically harassing another driver, preventing another driver from merging or passing.

However, if you are an aggressive driver, you are putting others at risk every time you do any of the above behaviors. If you encounter a frustrating situation on the road, instead of becoming aggressive, take a moment to breathe and relax before moving on.

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MVD Hours and Locations

The MVD has numerous branches for you to choose from. There are some that offer driver records, crash reports and reinstatements; you need to make sure you select one branch that will suit your needs.

You can also ask questions to the MVD Driver License Division; make a comment or complaint writing here.

If you need to contact them, you can call the following numbers:

Division Chief: 334-353-1470Driver License: 334-242-4400 Crash Reports/Driver Records: 334-242-4241Reinstatement: 334-242-4259Safety Responsibility: 334-242-4222

If you need to send correspondence, the mailing address is:

Alabama Department of Public SafetyDriver License DivisionPO Box 1471Montgomery AL 36102-1471

DON’T WASTE TIME AND MONEY DRIVING TO THE LICENSING OFFICE.