What Motor Authority Does and Doesn't Do
Motor Authority is not a government agency—it's a private company that offers vehicle registration services in some states. It acts as an intermediary between you and your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), handling paperwork and payment processing on your behalf. Motor Authority charges a fee for this service, typically $15 to $30 per transaction, depending on what you're registering and which state you live in.
Motor Authority can renew your registration, transfer a title, register a new vehicle, and handle some address changes. However, it cannot issue a new driver's license, process commercial vehicle permits, or handle cases where your vehicle has a lien or outstanding violations. For those situations, you'll need to contact your state DMV directly.
The main trade-off is convenience versus cost. Using Motor Authority means you don't have to visit a DMV office or mail documents yourself—they do it for you. But you pay extra for that service, and the process takes longer than walking into a DMV office with everything ready.
Key Takeaways
- Motor Authority is a private registration service, not a government office, and charges a fee on top of your state's registration costs.
- You can use Motor Authority to renew registration, transfer a title, or register a new vehicle, but not for driver's licenses or commercial permits.
- Processing through Motor Authority typically takes 5 to 10 business days longer than going directly to your DMV.
- Motor Authority is available in some states but not all—check your state's DMV website to see if it's an option where you live.
Which States Accept Motor Authority Registration
Motor Authority operates in a limited number of states. As of now, it's available in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Texas, though this list can change. Before you use Motor Authority, confirm that your state is on their active list by visiting their website or calling your state DMV directly.
If your state doesn't use Motor Authority, you have two main options: renew online through your state's DMV website (if available) or visit a DMV office in person. Many states now offer online renewal for standard registration renewals, which is faster and costs nothing extra.
What Documents You'll Need to Provide
The documents Motor Authority requires depend on what you're doing. For a standard registration renewal, you'll typically need your current registration card, proof of insurance, and a valid ID. If you're registering a new vehicle, you'll need the title, bill of sale, proof of insurance, and identification.
Motor Authority will ask you to upload or mail these documents. If you mail them, keep copies for your records and use certified mail so you have proof of delivery. If you upload them, take clear photos or scans—blurry or cut-off documents will delay your process.
Some states require a vehicle inspection before registration. Motor Authority cannot perform inspections, so you'll need to complete that separately at an approved inspection station and provide Motor Authority with the inspection report.
How Long Motor Authority Processing Takes
Motor Authority typically processes registration requests in 5 to 10 business days after they receive all your documents. However, this is just their processing time—it doesn't include the time your documents spend in transit if you mail them, or the time your state DMV takes to finalize the registration after Motor Authority submits it.
In practice, expect the entire process to take 2 to 3 weeks from the moment you submit your request. If you need your registration quickly—for example, your current registration expires in a week—Motor Authority is not the right choice. Go directly to your DMV office instead.
Motor Authority will email you when your registration is complete and ready to be mailed to you. Your new registration card and sticker will arrive by mail within a few days of that notification.
The Cost of Using Motor Authority Versus Going Direct
Motor Authority charges a service fee on top of your state's registration renewal fee. That service fee is usually $15 to $30, depending on the transaction type and your state. Your state's registration fee itself doesn't change—Motor Authority just passes that cost through to you and adds their own charge on top.
For example, if your state charges $150 to renew your registration and Motor Authority's service fee is $25, your total cost is $175. If you renewed directly through your state's DMV website or office, you'd pay only $150. The Motor Authority fee is the price of not having to go to the DMV yourself.
Some people find that fee worth it; others don't. If your nearest DMV office is far away or has long wait times, the $25 fee might be reasonable. If you can renew online through your state's website for free, that's almost always the better option.
When Motor Authority Is the Right Choice
Motor Authority makes sense if your state offers it, you don't have an urgent important date, and you want to avoid a trip to the DMV. It's also useful if you're renewing multiple vehicles at once—you can submit all the paperwork together and Motor Authority handles the batch processing.
Motor Authority is not the right choice if you need your registration within a week, if your vehicle has a lien or outstanding violations, or if you're in a state where it's not available. In those cases, contact your state DMV directly.
If you're unsure whether Motor Authority is available in your state or whether it's the best option for your situation, start by visiting your state's official DMV website. The DMV will list all the ways you can renew registration and whether Motor Authority is one of them.
What Happens If Motor Authority Loses Your Documents
Motor Authority is responsible for your documents once you submit them. If documents are lost in transit or during processing, Motor Authority will contact you and ask you to resubmit them. This will delay your registration, but you won't have to pay the service fee twice.
To protect yourself, keep copies of everything you send and use certified mail if you're mailing physical documents. If you upload documents, take screenshots showing the successful upload. These records won't speed up the process, but they give you proof if there's a dispute about whether Motor Authority received your materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my registration through Motor Authority if my vehicle has a lien?
No. Motor Authority cannot process registrations for vehicles with outstanding liens. You'll need to contact your state DMV directly or visit a DMV office. The lienholder (usually your lender) may need to provide documentation before your registration can be renewed.
What if I move to a different state after I submit my registration to Motor Authority?
Contact Motor Authority when ready to let them know. They may be able to update your address before they submit your paperwork to the DMV. If they've already submitted it, you'll need to contact your original state's DMV to update your address, then handle the new state's registration separately.
Is Motor Authority the same as my state's DMV?
No. Motor Authority is a private company that works with your state's DMV but is not part of it. Your state's DMV is the government office that actually issues your registration. Motor Authority is a middleman that handles paperwork for a fee.
Can I get a refund if Motor Authority makes a mistake on my registration?
That depends on the mistake and your state's rules. Contact Motor Authority first to report the error. If it's their mistake, they should correct it at no additional charge. If the error is on your part, you may need to pay a correction fee or resubmit your process.
What if my state's DMV rejects my registration process through Motor Authority?
Motor Authority will notify you of the rejection and explain why. Common reasons include missing documents, incorrect information, or outstanding violations on your vehicle. You'll need to fix the problem and resubmit, either through Motor Authority again or directly to your DMV.