How To Register a Car In Vermont

Registration fees are $76, and you can find most forms online. Don’t forget the inspection! Here’s what you need to know from start to finish.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
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To register a car in Vermont, you must pay a fee and fill out the registration form. There are additional requirements for new Vermont residents and vehicles purchased from out-of-state dealers. The Vermont DMV offers most registration services online.
Anyone can register a vehicle in Vermont. You don’t even need to show a Vermont mailing address! It’s easy to register a vehicle in Vermont, whether you’re new to the state or you just bought a new car. Renewing your registration in Vermont is even easier. You can access most forms through the state’s helpful online DMV. 
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Vermont car insurance costs
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How to register a car in Vermont

The process to register a car in Vermont requires filing registration paperwork and paying a fee
The
standard registration form
asks for basic information about the vehicle, such as VIN and mileage. You must also provide
proof of car insurance
to register a car in Vermont.
You will need to file different documents depending on whether you bought the car in a private sale, from a Vermont dealer, or from an out-of-state dealer. The Vermont DMV provides a free
online wizard
to help drivers determine which paperwork is required.
Note that anyone can register a vehicle in Vermont—you do not need a Vermont driver’s license or a Vermont address.
To register a car in Vermont, you need to fill out a
registration form
. You will need your driver’s license and basic information about your vehicle, like the VIN and license plate number. Bring
proof of insurance
, too.
The title and registration fee in Vermont is $76 (gas-powered cars) or $74 (electric vehicles) for one year. These fees include the $2.00
Clean Air Fund fee
. Note that
registration fees
differ for trucks, antique cars, ATVs and motorcycles.

If you just moved to Vermont

Did you just relocate to the Green Mountain State? Welcome! 
You have 30 days to
change your address
with the DMV. You have 60 days after establishing residency from another jurisdiction to register your motor vehicle in Vermont. Then, within 15 days after registration you must get your vehicle inspected at a licensed
Inspection Station
. You will receive a Vermont inspection sticker which must be displayed on your vehicle.
If you bought your vehicle from an out-of-state dealer, you must register it by submitting the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) or Title as well as the
Bill of Sale
and Odometer Disclosure Statement. That’s in addition to the Registration and Title Application Form.
Otherwise, you will need the current odometer reading and proof of the dollar amount of
Purchase and Use
or Sales tax paid in a previous state. Tax is assessed on your vehicle when you register it in Vermont. By providing the information above, you’ll pay the correct fee.
If your car is leased, you may need lien clearance from the lienholder

If you just bought a car

You have 30 days to register a car you just bought in Vermont. If you bought the car in Vermont, the dealer should take care of all the titling and registration requirements.
MORE: Title transfer in Vermont

How much insurance coverage do you need in Vermont? 

The
Vermont car insurance laws
require that every driver carry a minimum amount of coverage:
  • At least $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage 
  • At least $10,000 per accident of
    property damage liability coverage
  • At least $50,000 per person of bodily injury
    uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
  • At least $100,000 per accident of bodily injury uninsured motorist coverage
  • At least $10,000 per accident of property damage uninsured motorist coverage
You must have at least the minimum coverage to register a car in Vermont. However, most experts recommend that you take out more than the minimum level of coverage, especially for
collision
and
comprehensive coverage

How to renew your Vermont vehicle registration 

The registration period for vehicles in Vermont is either one year or two years
You can renew your registration online, by phone, by mail, or in person. You can renew up to 60 days in advance of your current registration’s expiry date if you visit an office in person. You can only renew during the month of expiry if you apply online or by mail.
It’s easy to renew Vermont vehicle registration
online
. There are no additional fees to use the online service. Your payment receipt acts as a temporary registration which is valid for up to 10 days. Your new registration and sticker will be mailed to you within four to six days. 
To renew by mail, send your signed registration renewal notice and a check or money order in the provided envelope to:
DMV
PO Box 1308
Williston, Vermont
05495-1308
To renew in person, bring your signed registration renewal notice and method of payment to a
Vermont DMV office
or a
participating town clerk
.
If you lost your renewal notice (or never received one), you can renew in person or by mail. In this case, you must also include the Registration Form alongside the other required documents.

How to replace a lost registration sticker or license plate

It’s not unusual for the weather to damage your tabs or license plate. 
You can
replace them online
if your existing registration is valid and not expiring within 60 days.
To renew online, you will need your license plate number and a credit card (American Express not currently accepted). Once you apply, you will receive a temporary document that is valid for 10 days. Then, your replacement items will be sent in the mail.
If your registration is lost, stolen, destroyed, or otherwise damaged, you must submit a
Corrected or Replacement Registration
application form plus the appropriate fee.
MORE: What is the cost of living in Vermont?
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How to save on car insurance in Vermont

Regular maintenance is a smart way to prevent costly problems and keep the cost of car ownership low. But drivers in Vermont also face some unavoidable costs, like registration fees and insurance. 
To find a cheap policy that meets the minimum legal standards of Vermont, use the
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FAQs

To register a vehicle in Vermont, you must show proof of insurance. You will need to file the application form and pay the appropriate fee. If you drive a leased vehicle, you may need the lien holder to help you fill out the form.
The base fee to register a car in Vermont is $76 for gas-powered vehicles.
It costs $76 to register a truck weighing less than 6,099 pounds in Vermont. Here’s the full table of
truck registration fees
in Vermont for heavier trucks.
Some people can apply for an
exemption
from the Purchase and Use tax. You might be eligible if you drive a vehicle owned or leased by the government, if the vehicle is owned or leased by a charitable or religious institution, if the vehicle is owned and operated by a permanently disabled person, or if the vehicle is very old.
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