What Arizona requires for car registration

Arizona requires you to register any vehicle you own or operate in the state within 10 days of purchase or moving to Arizona. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division handles all registrations. You'll need your vehicle's title, proof of insurance, a completed process form, and payment of the registration fee.

The registration fee depends on your vehicle's age, weight, and type. A new passenger car costs less than a truck or RV. Once registered, your vehicle gets a license plate and registration certificate (sometimes called a "reg card"). You'll need to renew your registration every year or every two years, depending on what you choose at registration.

Arizona does not require an emissions test statewide, though Maricopa and Pima counties (which include Phoenix and Tucson) have their own emissions testing rules for certain vehicles. If you live in one of those counties, you may need to pass a test before you can register or renew.

Key Takeaways

  • You must register your vehicle within 10 days of purchase or moving to Arizona, and you need your title, proof of insurance, and a completed process.
  • Registration fees vary by vehicle type and age; you can choose to renew annually or every two years when you first register.
  • Maricopa and Pima counties require emissions testing for most vehicles, but the rest of Arizona does not.
  • You can register in person at an ADOT office, by mail, or through an authorized third-party office like some MVD services or insurance agents.
  • Your registration certificate and license plate are proof of current registration; keep the certificate in your vehicle at all times.

Documents you need to register a vehicle

Start with your vehicle's title. If you bought the car from a dealer, they usually handle the title transfer and send it to you. If you bought it from a private seller, you and the seller must sign the title together and submit it to ADOT. If you're registering a vehicle you already own but are new to Arizona, bring your out-of-state title.

Next, you need proof of insurance. Arizona requires all registered vehicles to carry liability insurance. Your insurance company will give you a proof-of-insurance card or document when you buy a policy. Bring that card or a printed copy from your insurer's website. Some ADOT offices will not process your registration without it.

You also need a completed process. For a new registration, use Form 40-100 (process for Vehicle Registration). For a renewal, you'll receive a renewal notice in the mail with a form, or you can read the form from the ADOT website. Bring a valid ID (driver's license, passport, or tribal ID) and your vehicle's VIN and odometer reading.

If someone else is registering the vehicle on your behalf, bring a signed power of attorney form. If the vehicle has a lien (the bank or lender owns it until you pay off the loan), the lienholder's information must be on the title.

Where and how to register in Arizona

You can register your vehicle at any ADOT Motor Vehicle Division office. Arizona has offices in most counties; the ADOT website has a location finder with hours and wait times. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can also make an appointment online to skip the line. Bring all your documents and be ready to pay the registration fee in person.

If you don't want to go to an ADOT office, you can mail your process and documents to the address on the form. Include a check or money order for the fee. Processing by mail takes longer than in person — usually two to three weeks. You'll receive your registration certificate and license plate by mail.

Some insurance agents and third-party MVD service offices are authorized to process registrations. These private offices charge a service fee on top of the state registration fee, but they're often faster and more convenient than ADOT offices. Search online for "MVD services near me" or ask your insurance agent if they offer registration services.

Arizona also offers online registration renewal for vehicles that are already registered in the state. You cannot register a new vehicle online, but you can renew an existing registration through the ADOT website if your vehicle passes a quick may be able to access check.

Registration fees and payment options

Arizona registration fees are based on your vehicle's dry weight (the weight without fuel or cargo). A typical passenger car weighing 3,000 to 4,000 pounds costs between $150 and $200 per year. Heavier vehicles, trucks, and RVs cost more. You can see the exact fee for your vehicle by entering its weight on the ADOT fee calculator on their website.

When you register, you can choose to renew every year or every two years. A two-year registration costs roughly twice the one-year fee but saves you a trip to renew the following year. Some people choose one-year registration if they plan to sell the vehicle soon or if they want to keep their renewal date aligned with their insurance policy.

You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at ADOT offices. If you mail your registration, send a check or money order. Online renewals accept credit and debit cards. Third-party MVD offices may accept different payment methods — ask when you call or visit.

Emissions testing in Maricopa and Pima counties

If you live in Maricopa County (Phoenix area) or Pima County (Tucson area), your vehicle must pass an emissions test before you can register or renew. The test checks that your vehicle's exhaust meets Arizona air quality standards. Vehicles from model year 1975 and newer must be tested; older vehicles are exempt.

You can get tested at any authorized emissions testing station. Search the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) website for stations near you. The test costs around $20 to $30 and takes about 10 minutes. You'll receive a test report that you bring to ADOT when you register.

Some vehicles are exempt from testing: electric vehicles, vehicles less than two model years old, and vehicles with fewer than 6,000 miles on the odometer. If your vehicle fails the test, you have 30 days to fix the problem and retest for free. If it passes the retest, you can then register.

Renewing your Arizona registration

ADOT will mail you a renewal notice about 60 days before your registration expires. The notice includes a form and instructions. You can renew by mail, in person at an ADOT office, online (if you're renewing an existing registration), or through a third-party MVD service.

If you renew online, you'll need your registration certificate number and the last four digits of your VIN. The process takes a few minutes, and you'll pay by credit or debit card. Your new registration certificate will arrive by mail within one to two weeks.

If you renew in person or by mail, bring or send the renewal notice, proof of insurance, and payment. If you live in Maricopa or Pima County, you must also include a current emissions test report. Late renewal can result in a penalty fee, so renew before your expiration date.

If your registration expires while you're out of state or unable to renew on time, you can request a grace period. Contact ADOT to explain your situation; they may extend your important date by a few days or weeks in some cases.

License plates and registration certificates

When you register your vehicle, ADOT issues you a license plate and a registration certificate. The license plate goes on the front and back of your vehicle (Arizona requires both). The registration certificate is a small card that you must carry in your vehicle at all times. Police can ask to see it during a traffic stop.

If your license plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement at any ADOT office or by mail. There is a small replacement fee. If your registration certificate is lost, you can request a duplicate. Keep your registration certificate in your glove box or with your insurance card.

Arizona offers personalized (vanity) license plates with custom text. You can request one when you register or renew. Vanity plates cost more than standard plates and take longer to receive. You must renew them every year, even if you choose a two-year registration for your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I register my car late in Arizona?

If you register more than 10 days after purchase or moving to Arizona, you may face a late fee added to your registration cost. If you're caught driving an unregistered vehicle, you can be cited. Register as soon as you can; ADOT can backdate your registration to the date you should have registered if you have a good reason for the delay.

Can I register a vehicle if I don't have a title yet?

No. You must have the title in hand before ADOT will register the vehicle. If you bought from a dealer, ask when the title will arrive. If you bought from a private seller and they haven't signed it yet, you cannot register until they do. If the title is lost, contact the previous state's DMV to request a duplicate.

Do I need to register my vehicle in Arizona if I'm only visiting?

No. If you're visiting Arizona temporarily and your vehicle is registered in another state, you do not need to register it in Arizona. However, if you move to Arizona or stay longer than 30 days, you must register within 10 days. Military members stationed in Arizona may have different rules — check with your base.

What if my vehicle has a lien on it?

You can still register a vehicle with a lien. The lienholder's name and address must appear on the title. When you pay off the loan, the lienholder will release the lien, and you can request a clean title from ADOT. Until then, the lien stays on your registration record.

How long does it take to get my registration certificate and license plate?

If you register in person at an ADOT office, you'll receive your registration certificate when ready. Your license plate will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. If you register by mail, both the certificate and plate arrive by mail, usually within two to three weeks. Third-party MVD offices may be faster.